Tomorrow, my G/S will finally hit the road. Bought it in November and been making it a "better bike" since. This morning, i'm looking for a way to make the exhaust manifold nuts look better and for a longer time. Tell me if I'm wrong: They're made of cast aluminum, aren't they? My idea was to clean them by lightly sandblasting them. But then, it won't keep them from attracting the dust and dirt....I know, it's a trail bike. Dust and dirt is part of its life. How abour painting them with high temperature enamel? Polishing won't do much good, cause it will rapidly fade. Is there some chemical treatment that would do? It doesn't keep me from sleeping. But you know, if someone has a solution... The worst that can happen: They will remain as they are: And it just doesn't affect the bike after all! Eric
Keep em clean. Use aluminum cleaner just like you would on the rest of the bike and definitely install with anti seize. The easiest aluminum cleaner to source (at least here in the states) is Eagle 1 all wheel Mag Cleaner. Not the one for clear coated wheels (stronger). They stay bright for a long time once cleaned up.
I know they are "radiators" and, no, I'm not gonna mess with them. Up to now, I tried a piece of red "scotchbrite" and I'll simply finish rubbing it with blue scotchbrite. I just don't want the G/S to look neglicted. Those nuts are what they are and since the bike is not intented to become a "trailer-queen", no chrome will be added to it.... As I said, dirt end dust is part of those big nuts life! Thanks, Eric
When I do an oil filter change, I take the whole exhaust off. It's about an annual thing these days. Doing that gives me the opportunity to also tidy up the exhaust, and I tend to soak the nuts in simple green for a few hours. A good rinse and a light brush at the end and they invariably come up well. Anti seize on the threads when they go back on.
A friend just suggested he could treat it with some chemical (Alodine) that works well on aluminum parts. The nuts would turn some yellowish and then be corrosion resistant.... I'm thinking, I'm thinking! Eric
Painting the exhaust nuts is messing with them. The paint will hinder the transfer of heat. Can cause over heating of exhaust valve, burnt valve, poor running engine. Besides all the Airheads who see your machine will laugh at you.
I finally decided to stick to the old say: "Leave well alone". A G/S doesn't need to look shiny. The best we can do, is keeping it reasonnably clean... May first! The Bike will be registered today and hit the road. Hope the rain stops....Got a brand new Heidenau that I won't take in the rain for its first ride. Eric
Yeah. My assertion that paint on the exhaust nuts will cause any discernible damage is really kinda stretching it. But I still don't like the idea of painting them. The exhaust nut repair is a valid solution to a real world problem.
If I had to make some replacement parts, I'd make sure they are "winged" so they would still act as "radiators"... Eric
Gee, if you're concerned about the appearance of the nuts, just consider them replaceable parts. You know, after a while your tires don't look so good either, so you get new ones. Handgrips. Seat foam. Light bulbs.
Not my pic - and in my case the threads are just fine - but Ill be using them on a long-distance trip. Saves me from carrying a specific exhaust nut tool.
