R75/5 headers need work

[khale]

Hey guys,
I'm in the process of doing a top end and valve restore on my airhead. While the headers are off, I thought it was a good time to give them much needed attention. I'd like to polish up my existing headers. The cross over pipe is severely rusted (no holes, though) and there is a dent about 1 inch long and an 1/8 wide on the front left header. Image to come.
My question is this: What do you guys recommend doing for cleaning up headers? I thought about aluminum foil and water to start, followed by naval jelly. How about the dent? Should I do the old, fill it with water and freeze it to push out the dent? Good idea/bad idea? Take it to a shop?
Thanks!

[hardwaregrrl]

Hey Kyle I dunno how to make things pretty, so I got nothin'.

[khale]

Originally Posted by hardwaregrrl

Hey Kyle I dunno how to make things pretty, so I got nothin'.

Hey Jenna! haha, no worries. I kinda wonder why I'm trying anyways, it's just going to get dirty!

[chasbmw]

What are your headers made from?
Chrome or stainless steel?

Many headers will have been replaced with SS over the years.

If stainless steel, I would just polish back to a nice shine. If chrome????

[khale]

I believe they are stainless. Here's what they look like. Any tips would be appreciated


Notice the nasty dent. How to remove?

Another smaller dent

[blaine.hale]

That'd be the stock chromers.

[disston]

Those pipes are worn out. The lack of shiny chrome is only one issue. The dents are not good for the engine. The pipes should work properly so the engine can breath. You will do yourself and your bike a big favor to buy some decent pipes. Unfortunately most of the time what looks like a good deal on used parts is a waste of money when it comes to pipes. I have only owned my bike for 14 years and have gone through several used sets. Last year I finally bought some new pipes. These are the Mac product. I am happy with them. The stock BMW pipes are better, they also cost more than twice as much.

This is the place I bought mine. You may find a little better deal somewhere else. I was happy with what I got from Niche Cycle;

http://www.nichecycle.com/

ps; The dents are not removable with out more work than the new pipes cost.

[khale]

Originally Posted by disston

Those pipes are worn out. The lack of shiny chrome is only one issue. The dents are not good for the engine. The pipes should work properly so the engine can breath. You will do yourself and your bike a big favor to buy some decent pipes. Unfortunately most of the time what looks like a good deal on used parts is a waste of money when it comes to pipes. I have only owned my bike for 14 years and have gone through several used sets. Last year I finally bought some new pipes. These are the Mac product. I am happy with them. The stock BMW pipes are better, they also cost more than twice as much.

This is the place I bought mine. You may find a little better deal somewhere else. I was happy with what I got from Niche Cycle;

http://www.nichecycle.com/

ps; The dents are not removable with out more work than the new pipes cost.

I've heard mixed reviews about MAC pipes. Did you have any trouble installing them?

[disston]

The mufflers were a little tight on the Mac pipes. I used a long round file (12") to gouge out the inside of my old muffs. A little bit of work but I got them on. For the price I'm very happy.

[khale]

Originally Posted by disston

The mufflers were a little tight on the Mac pipes. I used a long round file (12") to gouge out the inside of my old muffs. A little bit of work but I got them on. For the price I'm very happy.

How would you compare these to the Keihan's?

[disston]

Originally Posted by khale

How would you compare these to the Keihan's?

Well I can't compare them to Keihan's or anything else. If I bought Keihan's then I wouldn't have bought the Mac's. See?

I think I looked for the cheapest thing I could find. You may even find some on Ebay for less than the price I found at the place I gave you earlier. I'm sorry if I can't tell you what the best choice would be. I think you do need something though. Used pipes might be a good deal if you have time to not rush into a deal and find the right stuff.

I have also heard the many comments about Mac pipes not fitting so good. I didn't think they were impossible to make work.

There are plenty of other choices. Maybe something else is not as much as OEM but better quality?

[chasbmw]

Keihans will fit 100%. They are stainless and come with a 10 year guarantee. If you were being tight you could see if you find some on EBay? Being stainless they will polish up very well. Worth checking the price of new Keihans from Motobins in the UK? You don't pay uk tax, not sure about US customs.

[khale]

Originally Posted by chasbmw

Keihans will fit 100%. They are stainless and come with a 10 year guarantee. If you were being tight you could see if you find some on EBay? Being stainless they will polish up very well. Worth checking the price of new Keihans from Motobins in the UK? You don't pay uk tax, not sure about US customs.

Bob'sBMW has them for $385. While not cheap, that seems reasonable for quality pipes. What do you think?

[chasbmw]

Price in the UK is 250$ according to the Motobins currency checker. Postage will be expensive, an email to Motobins will get a quote. Remember that you will need to add the Balence pipe and a couple of clamps for the balance pipe.

Motobins are at www.motobins.co.uk

[khale]

Originally Posted by chasbmw

Price in the UK is 250$ according to the Motobins currency checker. Postage will be expensive, an email to Motobins will get a quote. Remember that you will need to add the Balence pipe and a couple of clamps for the balance pipe.

Motobins are at www.motobins.co.uk

Yea, I just did the math. It's going to be a hassle to go through moto-bins. I'll only be saving $50 or so, but it's coming from over the pond, more prone to damage/loss. I'll order through Bob's.