boot marks on exhaust

[six pack]

new to me 97 Valk with 6x6 cobra pipes, OEM pegs. for the life of me I can't keep my heels from contacting the pipes, only on shifter side.  I did a search but no help... I had a number of bikes including a 98 tourer a while back but it had rattlebars boards and shifter, no problem, the other bikes were Vulcan 1500, Vulcan 2000 & rocket 111 and all had floor boards...is this telling me something.. ... any other ideas out there ??   TIA

[Jess from VA]

They sell HD floorboards that have little uprights on the inside to keep your heels off the pipes.



It may be possible with a little creativity to cut a small piece of steel or aluminum flat stock (or buy one the right size) and figure out a way to mount it inside of your peg(s) to keep your boot(s) off the pipe(s).   It probably only has to be flat, and not curved around the bottom of the peg, like in the floorboard picture.

I have no experience with the Cobras, but it may also be possible to add a fat, short heat shield to the individual pipe you keep marking, maybe with a longer hose clamp or two.

I run Cobra boards on both my Valks, and I still occasionally mark the exhaust with boots.... I think sometimes at stops with my boot on the ground but the 8" shaft resting on a hot pipe.  
  

[Pete]

Yes, change your riding position. Or change you shoes.

[jdp]

You can crunch up some tin foil and rub off boot marks on your exhaust and it won't scratch the chrome

[MarkT]

Ride with moccasins. 

[SPOFF]

Ride with moccasins. 

Or flip flops. Then you will know when your feet on the pipes.   

[sandy]

Smart n Final sells Carbon Off. Works well on shoe soles burned on.

[dconstruct55]

Sounds like you are attracted to big ass bikes, how did you like the Triumph? I have 2 '99 Valks and a V2K, love the Vulcan.

[six pack]

Loved all the bikes, especially the Rocket,  had jardine wrapped pipes, carbon filter cover , remapped,  certainly had a grin factor. had trouble with electrical wiring, I developed back pain and blamed it on bike, sold bike.. discovered a sciatica nerve problem, used inversion table for a while and pain was reduced to tolerable.     found 97 valk and here I am again,  p.s. 74 yrs. old  ???  go figure   

[Fazer]

I get boot marks on my exhaust also.  I use fine steel wool and Turtle wax chrome cleaner.  I think the key is not to let them go to long before cleaning.

Hijack alert--we had a rocked at the DRU over the last couple of years.  Wow!  What a monster.  Sounded like a John Deere farm tractor when it idled.

[John Schmidt]

I keep a can of Goof-Off solvent/cleaner in the shop. When the pipes are cool I just use a rag and some of the solvent and boot marks come right off.

PS: My wife says it's named after me. 

[mrgeoff]

To clean pipes, use Easy Off Oven Cleaner(or similar)...BUT be sure you do NOT spray on any painted surfaces...You just have to get the pipes warm...and wipe on and wipe off...Just be careful not to burn yourself or get on your paint...Then just wipe when cool with a chrome polish Works great...!!!

[scootndan]

I usually use Bronze Wool, it won't scratch your pipes. Just make sure you clean them when they're cool!