Hot Booty

[thepittsburghguzzi]

In learning how to intuitively set the kickstand without looking down every time, I've managed to burn a decent bit of rubber boot sole on my left exhaust. I've squirreled through some other forums online and others have recommended letting the pipes heat up and then just going over them with a wet rag. Others have mentioned using oven cleaner. But I want to put my trust in my fellow Guzzista first! Ideas? Methods? Id love to keep scratching to a minimum.

Thanks for the wisdom!

[Sasquatch Jim]

 Ride barefooted, you won't get burned rubber on the pipes.

[rtbickel]

I have used a wooden coffee stirrer when hot, fingernail and goo-gone when cold, both with good results. Some rubber compounds might take a bit more elbow grease.

[Daleroso]

Had it happen when a passenger took his foot off the foot peg & put it back on the muffler instead. When he tapped me & said his foot was hot I pulled over & a good part of he Dr's desert boot sole was transferred to my CBX's pipe....first of all, patience. It took me a couple of times because I didn't want to take the time it seemed it would take to do it in one effort.....I ran the bike warming the pipes NOT hot to soften the goo. I then used a couple Popsicles sticks to lightly remove the thick parts. When I got the goo down about flush I used a combination of oooo stainless steel, metal polish w/rag, & Never-dull (a treated wadding that I've used forever on chrome & brass). Wha-la, all gone with no scratches. Good luck.

[bigbikerrick]

I have had good luck using carburetor cleaner spray such as Gumout, or the wal mart brand, on a piece of cotton cloth, with the pipes warm. If that doesnt get it all I then use a brand new single edge razor blade, very carefully laying it down at the proper angle not to scratch, but just remove the melted rubber. I lube the chrome with wd 40 to help the blade" slide", then more carb cleaner /cotton rag.
I finish it with some mother's metal polish, and 0000 steel wool if needed, but you have to be very careful, and not" heavy handed" . Take your time , and go slow.
This is what has worked for me, Good Luck!
Rick.

[thepittsburghguzzi]

Thanks guys! 

I used a combination of Goo-Gone, warming the pipes, a stiff rubber spatula (fighting rubber with rubber), and a Mr. Clean magic eraser. Worked nicely, and now I'm good to roll!

Here's a photo after a wash, buff, and polish. Beautiful leap day here in Pgh!

[Waltr]

Nice bike.  Great townie bike especially for the hills and narrow back streets in PGH.

[thepittsburghguzzi]

Nice bike.  Great townie bike especially for the hills and narrow back streets in PGH.

Thank you!! She really feels good on these streets, excellent urban runabout. The compliments, nods, and thumbs up I receive at gas stations and stoplights are the most fun.

[TodkaVonic]

Hey as long as we're on the topic of pipes and things which get adhered/bonded to them when hot, does anyone have a magical solution to the tenacious residue of microfiber towel when it comes into contact with a hot pipe? The towel kinda melts. It happens pretty much instantly and the penalty for a moment's inattention is like 45 minutes of largely ineffective scrubbing with various metal cleaners, scrapers, and steel wool.

To echo some of the others' sole/rubber residue removal advice: Heat up the pipes and start scrubbing. Unfortunately, this doesn't seem to be the way forward with the microfiber residue...maybe I need to really heat them up thoroughly? I've also had luck chipping the rubber off when the whole system is cooled and after applying some ice from a nearby gin and tonic. There's a brown plastic scraper made by Pampered Chef I've borrowed from my wife numerous times which works pretty well.

[malik]

This is what I did to the kickstand lever so that my boot could find it easily



As for rubber, plastic, etc on the header pipes & mufflers, oven cleaner usually does a decent job. Paint it on liberally, leave it a while to soak in, rub a bit if necessary, hose it off.