Header Blueing

[asfltdncr]

Recently, one of the members brought attention to the headers belonging to a Valk on ebay.
Is the blueing from too much heat?  If so, when some are and some aren't (blue), might I assume that the jets could have been partially plugged to those cylinders causing excessive heat?

[Dogg]

whatever caused it is from a lean condition, even a vacuum leak could cause it. could be alot of things.

[razor]

Dogg, I always thought it was caused by a lean condition.  If you think about it, lean = excessive heat and that can even cause burnt valves and more. 

But that would seem to be contrary to what some have posted regarding the choke being left on too long. Wouldn't it be running rich with the choke on?  Therefore the choke on would not cause blued pipes, right?

[Dogg]

the choke being on wont cause blueing. wont make enuff heat because the excess fuel will keep cylinder cooler. It is ALWAYS a lean condition that will blue the pipes, not excessive fuel. thats a common misunderstanding.

Fuel does more than just burn and make the pistons go up and down. Fuel also plays a big roll in operating temperature, keeping the head temp down. when not enuff fuel is in the system, excessive heat is created, hence, heat transfer to header and discoloration of the chrome. too much fuel on the other hand, will also turn the chrome colors but, that will be glod or brown or whatever that color is. but with that, you will also have less power and the possibility fo doing damage to the motor.

 the reason rings get washed out is because of exccessive fuel never lets the cylinders to reach temp completely and fuel gets blown by the rings. eventually wearing them out. lean fuel condition will make the cylinder swell, too tight and start tearing up cylinder walls, pistons, possible hot spots that will burn parts of the combustion chamber.

so a lean condition, blueing of the pipes is a really bad thing, as far as I am concerned. I run mine bikes a lil on the rich side but not so bad I blow big plumes of black smoke. just enuff to let ya smell the fuel,,,

[solo1]

IMHO double wall pipes like on the Valk, shouldn't blue.  If they do, that shows an excessive amount of heat due to running lean or, in some cases, a late ignition problem, maybe to the danger point.  A spark plug check would show a burnt electrode.

Single wall pipes though will blue much easier, for instance, BMW boxer twins.  Even then,  single wall pipes might not blue as easily if the motor is liquid cooled but that I don't know.

[Skeeter (Va)]

92,555 miles on my Valk...stock headers...no blueing...great mechanic I have for the last 32 years looking after my bikes....

[Dogg]

Va beach. man, thats like 2 hours from me.....I knew one had to be closer than baltimore....

[G-Man]

Let the bike sit and run in the driveway trying to burn off the rest of the fuel in the carb bowels.  I knew that letting the bike sit like this could cause blueing, but I was hoping it wouldn't take too long to burn off the fuel.  My headers now have an golden color to them.  Is there a good product out there that can reverse my silliness?

[matt]

I have had real good luck with a product called blue job expensive but it worked

[Skeeter (Va)]

Va beach. man, thats like 2 hours from me.....I knew one had to be closer than baltimore....

        I have been getting my bikes...1971 750 Four K!.....1989 Wing and my 98 valk serviced by ONE Tech .....Cycle World..Virginia Beach, Va. (On Virginia Beach Blvd next to a Volvo dealership) His name is Bob....Just Bob...they know who  is of course..Incredible Tech..He told me to bring my Valk in for service once a year or 10K miles, which ever happens first. For several years they happened at the same time. never had a problem other than a rear bearing swallowing itself on I-95 in Ga ... Vacume line preventitive maint ect...he takes care of it all...We do lunch from time to time to stay in touch...If you go there or call...tell him Dave Whitney recomended...757-499-4146.......