Wrapped the Header this weekend.

[shagler]

I have not seen a lot of discussion about wrapping headers here and thought that I would take a moment to offer an initial impression. Let me start by saying that the one thing that I haven't loved about the R3T is the heat coming off the header, especially in stop and go traffic when it's 100F degrees. I've had the R3T for a year and didn't want to go through another Dallas Summer without making some changes.

Right after getting the bike, I had the header ceramic coated at a local shop. That helped with the header temperature, but it didn't feel like enough. Now that it is starting to warm up around here, I decided to go ahead and wrap the header. Based on a recommendation, I used ThermaTech header wrap (2" black). Except for "issues" with some of the header clamp and chrome bolts, it really wasn't that difficult. The "issues" I'm referencing is that both this time and last time when I took off the header to get it ceramic coated, I snapped a couple of the shield (between Chrome and Header) clamp boths. The Chrome bolts are also gave me a bit of trouble...a propane torch helped. The snapped off bolts had to be drilled out and the clamp nut retapped to work again.

I wrapped the header just like the packaging said and it came out good. The header is still going to be behind the chrome and shield so I wasn't worried about perfect. It actually looked good, but I know that I wanted to put the chrome back on, etc. I was surprised that the shield that holds the chrome was able to bolt back up to the header with the stock clamps after wrapping. I just bent out the part of the clamp that is on the shield a bit and it went right on.

After leaving the header to dry overnight (I dipped the wrap in water prior to wrapping), I put everything back together. The header did smoke a little and steamed off the remaining water.

After a quick wash down of the bike, I took it out for a couple of hours. I purposely did a lot of stop and go and downtown riding with reasonably high RPMs. The air temperature today was 80F and I decided to ride today without the windshield. The lack of windshield definately makes a difference and lowers the heat I feel, but I absolutely know that the right side is much less hot after the wrap. Today I felt heat, but it was more balanced from left to right.

I guess I need to do some more testing with the windshield on, but my initial reaction is that wrapping the header made a big difference and I am thrilled.

I didn't keep track of how much of the 50' roll that I used, but I doubt that I used more than 1/3 of it. Anyone want to buy half a roll of ThermaTech Header Wrap??

Again, other than those challenging clamp bolts and the bolts that hold on the chrome, the whole process was easy. This was the first time I had tried wrapping a header. The best advice that I had received was to take your time. I had to back up a couple of times, but nothing was too difficult.

I am very happy with the overall results.

Cheer,

Steven

 

[snuffcityrider]

I would be interested in the rest of the role that you have left. I been wanting to do the same thing myself. If your in Dallas, I'm only a couple of hours away.

 

[shagler]

SnuffCityRider,

I'll check sometime today to make sure how much is left. I probably want to hold back a little just in case I need to do a repair. If there is enough (and I am sure there is), I'll sell you half the roll (25' of the original 50' roll) for a little less than half of what I paid plus shipping to you. I paid $54.11 for the roll this weekend, so let's call it $20 plus shipping.

Let me know if you are interested...I'll also confirm that I have 25' left after I cut a little off for repair purposes.

Steven

 

[Power-Tripp]

Gotta love header wrap, even more effective than ceramic coatings when used on Stainless tubing. Don't use it on mild steel or Ti tubing though - lessons learned the hard way.

The only down side is moisture held in the wrap when you ride in the rain or wash the bike.

 

[shagler]

By the way, for reference, I am also running the D&D Slipons with a new tune via tuneboy.

Steven

 

[rcr#29]

(This is on my R3 Classic not a Touring model but still applies)
i wrapped my pipes on my 05 R3 even after most said not to do it, never had a problem and found it to be about 25-35% cooler.. Just an estimate, you can really feel the difference if you take it off again.. (I had an 05 with header wrapped, and traded it on an 06 without and you could really notice the difference.)
I had to use hose clamps to keep the shields on though as the stock clamps would not work for me. It didnt cause a problem though.

I have a fly screen now, I dont use the windshield anymore its just too hot, unless its really cold out.. or Love Bug season... Good luck.

 

[Vinkster]

I just wrapped my Jardine headers and found that I used almost every bit of the 25' roll of 2" Jegs Snake skin premium wrap. I made sure to leave 1/2" overlap as recommended. For automotive use, they suggest 1/4" overlap. I wrapped the individual tube closest to the forks first down to where the fist and second (from the forks) tube meet. Then wrapped the tube furthest to the read of the bike to the collector. Last, I wrapped the center tube, wrapping up the two front pipes together and then then all three just before the collector. The most difficult part was the step down just behind the collector. Every time I tightened it up right there, the wrap would like to slip down the pipe.