Header Tape

[Bobcattoo]

I heard an idea from a novice Biker about using "Header Tape" to minimize heat to the Rider. Suppose to be a high temp tape you wrap around the header pipes. Anybody heard of or experienced this product. Would this be safe/effective? Seems like one result would be a hotter muffler.

 

[FJRBluesman]

No Idea. I know they use them on Duc's and other bikes where the human body is close to those heat sources. Not sure what it'll do for the FeeJ.

 

[ohiofjr]

I used the header wrap from summit racing ,,been on there since 2005. All it does is move the heat farther back. The cats run a bunch hotter and that makes up for any gains farther forward. Short version don't waste your time.

 

[greywolf]

It does keep the heat radiation down in the headers , but eventually the heat has to go somewhere.

In the past, almost all NASCAR and other racing engine builders and crew chiefs used header wraps for the added power gains and thermal control benefits offered by their use. Problems occurred when these same teams had to replace the headers after each race (NASCAR) due to the wrap being about the only thing holding each header together. Most engine builders, crew chiefs, and definitely header manufacturers do not promote the practice of installing these wraps directly on the headers any longer. They now utilize the thermal coatings that are chemically and electrically applied to the headers. Popular header coating services include Airborn, Jet Hot, HPC, and some header manufacturers now applying the coatings in-house.

 

[blkredlinedrvr]

On a vehicle that sees anything other than dry road useage I would stay away. The wrap traps and retains moisture.

 

[JamesK]

On a vehicle that sees anything other than dry road useage I would stay away. The wrap traps and retains moisture.

The ceramic coating is certainly the way to go from everything i've read about them.

Since the FJR exhaust is all SS why would a little temporary moisture be that much of an issue, just wondering?

 

[chrisflock]

On a vehicle that sees anything other than dry road useage I would stay away. The wrap traps and retains moisture.

The ceramic coating is certainly the way to go from everything i've read about them.

Since the FJR exhaust is all SS why would a little temporary moisture be that much of an issue, just wondering?

The moisture shouldn't cause a problem with the SS exhaust parts, but wet header wrap does tend to attract all sorts of road grime and crud. So you have a cruddy, slimy header, which gets hot and steams (always fun), then depending on what the road crud is made of, it will bake, smoke, smolder, stink, and possibly burn when all the moisture is driven out.

 

[FJR919]

I concur with the last four posts. I never considered it a viable option when I owned my '05 cooker and was looking for everything to reduce the heat. With my '08, no efforts to reduce heat were necessary.

 

[RavFJR]

Used both...ceramic coating is the way to go. However, the purpose is to offer a more consistent head temp., not for rider comfort.. It also protects the headers from the elements.

 

[TownsendsFJR1300]

I run "Cool temp" Thermo tec wrap on my 04 down pipes. I stopped the wrap at the base where the lower plastic comes together. I did notice a slight decrease in heat to the legs, maybe 20% although I thought it would be more. Its been on there for 3-4 years now, no problems.... It seems to move a good part of the header heat down below the bike, where theres more air flow instead of transferring it back to the block/frame/tank.

Initially, when breakining in the wrap it smelled when warming up/getting hot. It doesn't do that anymore.

I also have all the heat fixes as well.

 

[Powerman]

Header wrap works short term, but not suited for the street. My CBR pipe rusted out. My buddies wrapped S.S. pipe cracked at two welds. Trapped heat stresses the steel. S.S. is supposed to suffer embrittlement problems.

Aftermarket header companies void warranties on wrapped pipes.

Ceramic coated race car headers have held up well. They cool down quickly so you can poke around the motor and not burn yourself.

 

[blkredlinedrvr]

On a vehicle that sees anything other than dry road useage I would stay away. The wrap traps and retains moisture.

The ceramic coating is certainly the way to go from everything i've read about them.

Since the FJR exhaust is all SS why would a little temporary moisture be that much of an issue, just wondering?

On a vehicle that sees anything other than dry road useage I would stay away. The wrap traps and retains moisture.

The ceramic coating is certainly the way to go from everything i've read about them.

Since the FJR exhaust is all SS why would a little temporary moisture be that much of an issue, just wondering?

The moisture shouldn't cause a problem with the SS exhaust parts, but wet header wrap does tend to attract all sorts of road grime and crud. So you have a cruddy, slimy header, which gets hot and steams (always fun), then depending on what the road crud is made of, it will bake, smoke, smolder, stink, and possibly burn when all the moisture is driven out.

Contrary to popular believe Stainless Steel will infact rust. It is rust resistant but not rust proof.

 

[Bobcattoo]

It does keep the heat radiation down in the headers , but eventually the heat has to go somewhere.
In the past, almost all NASCAR and other racing engine builders and crew chiefs used header wraps for the added power gains and thermal control benefits offered by their use. Problems occurred when these same teams had to replace the headers after each race (NASCAR) due to the wrap being about the only thing holding each header together. Most engine builders, crew chiefs, and definitely header manufacturers do not promote the practice of installing these wraps directly on the headers any longer. They now utilize the thermal coatings that are chemically and electrically applied to the headers. Popular header coating services include Airborn, Jet Hot, HPC, and some header manufacturers now applying the coatings in-house.

Good info. Thanks. I did the Heat Fixes on both sides just after purchasing this Bike. Helped on the left side but right side and Tank still get uncomfortable in 90+ weather. Put the Tank Bra on last year. That helps some. And yes I insulated the Tank, as well. That really didn't do much at all on a long Ride.