Tonti Bike Exhaust wrapping, pros & cons

[tonyduc]

All

Has anyone used an exhaust wrap on their Tonti bike?

I getting towards the end of the restoration on my 76 T3. Bike runs well now after rejetting for main jet from 120 to 132 (necessary because of the K&N pods). Only thing is the right side exhaust pops occasionally. It also happens to be on the side where it looks like the PO drilled 2 holes 1/8" into the header, it's not rust, the pipe is otherwise immaculate. Was thinking that this is not a coincidence and may be the cause of the popping (perhaps this is leaning the mixture?). Would an exhaust wrap seal off these holes? I am kind of being cautious about wraps since this article discusses the risks, one being a leaner mixture: http://www.allaboutbikes.com/feature-articles/motorcycle-maintenance/6963-unwrapping-the-mystery-of-exhaust-wrap.

"Exhaust wrapping is not without its risks. First, the higher exhaust exit temperatures can lean out the fuel mixture of an engine – sometimes severely. An overly lean situation can lead to rapid engine failure. Thus, wrapped pipes may necessitate either re-jetting or a change in mapping depending on your bike’s fuel management system.

There is also a real risk of header and pipe damage due to excessive heat build-up. There are numerous reports of split and cracked exhausts that can be attributed to the use of exhaust wrap."

Thanks!
Tony

 

[blackcat]

Fill the holes with silicone and see if that stops the popping and buy new headers. The wrap looks like shyte after a few thousand miles and it will eventually ruin the pipes.

[antmanbee]

I would have the holes welded up and carefully ground/filed down. Wrap looks like shyte to me for the first few thousand miles and thereafter also.

[troyhamilton]

I would have the holes welded up and carefully ground/filed down. Wrap looks like shyte to me for the first few thousand miles and thereafter also.

the 850-t has pipes that are wrapped. po owner did it and ill take pictures sometime today cause im using different pipes. and mufflers!

[unclepete]

To see if plugging the holes will stop the popping , plug them with sheet-metal screws .

[Triple Jim]

If they're chrome pipes, you can do a neat TIG weld with stainless rod, then do a little careful grinding and sanding, followed by polishing, and it will be hard to see the repair.

[Turin]

Here is a new con ya probably hadn't thought of. I was at my buddys shop and he was servicing a hypermotard with wrapped exhaust. The owner had left it out and a neighborhood cat had sprayed it. Exhaust wrap soaked in cat pheromone/piss. When the exhaust got a little heat going it emitted an ungodly reek, what huffing a skunks ass must smell like.

The exhaust system had to be replaced, as my guy was not about to unwrap that mess.

[Tom]

 

[Rusnak_322]

First, are your pipes stock? Are they double walled? Some pipes are double walled to reduce noice or keep the chrome from turning blue. No clue what came stock, but there are aftermarket pipes like that.

If you have holes drilled in them, what do you have to lose with wrap. My pipes were ugly and I couldn't find any cheap ones. I found cheap stainless headers, no chrome headers. I also could only find a chrome H pipe.

Plus I wanted to run upswept adapters.

So I dropped $25 on non brand name wrap. It was supposed to be temporary, but I like how it looks. It was easy to install, I did it with the pipes on the bike.













I did use stainless zip ties to hold it on.









Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Tom H]

I'm not clear on the benefits of the wrap.

What I can say is that the ones I have seen look like a dirty bandage on a soldier in the trenches from a WWI war film.

On "most" street bikes, I do not like the looks. BUT, if you have a bike that needs a heat shielding on the exhaust due to how it routes under you or the bike, then do it.

JMHO.
Tom

[Pancake]

I've been considering it mainly due to needing to put a cover on the bike when I get home and not being able to do that with the bike hot because the pipes melt the cover. I'm in two minds about how it looks.

[Sheepdog]

The hole allows air to enter the header and reignite unburned hydrocarbons. This is tough on the entire exhaust system and makes a terrible racket. You can block the hole with a piece of aluminum and a hose clamp. Do that and start saving for a new set of headers...

[PeteS]

Fill the holes with silicone and see if that stops the popping and buy new headers. The wrap looks like shyte after a few thousand miles and it will eventually ruin the pipes.

Red/orange high temp permatex will stand up to exhaust temps, at least for a while. Exhaust wrap leaning out the mixture sounds like BS. What's claimed for wrap as well as ceramic coatings like Jet Hot is they keep the exhaust temp higher which leads to faster scavenging.
If the permatex stops the popping you could have the holes welded then get them Jet Hotted.

Pete

[Triple Jim]

What's claimed for wrap as well as ceramic coatings like Jet Hot is they keep the exhaust temp higher which leads to faster scavenging.

Hotter exhaust = more gas volume = faster flow.  Smaller diameter pipes would do a similar thing.
The speed of sound in the hotter, higher pressure gas is also a little higher, so the pipes tune at a slightly higher RPM when insulated, as if you cut them a little shorter.

I doubt if these effects are significant for a street motorcycle.

[PeteS]

Smaller diameter would increase the velocity but reduce to volume. If you have doubts try plumbing your house with 1/4" pipe.
I am just quoting the theory. Likely need a dyno to see differences.

Pete

[Triple Jim]

Smaller diameter would increase the velocity but reduce to volume.

No, I mean a smaller pipe would increase the velocity in a similar way that making it hotter does.  Heating gas makes it bigger so there's more to get out the pipe.