BMW R1200R R1150R/T F800 K1200R R1100R/T R1250R RnineT Message Board

I've been looking for a used R1150R, and I've noticed that some have severely blued exhaust headers. Is this normal?

I'm used to Japanese bikes, and that's rather unusual for them and a symptom of extremely high temperatures. (Yes, I know they typically have double wall pipes.)

Thanks.

ruddy wrote:Is this normal?

Absolutely! The BMW has single wall stainless steel pipes. The blue is character.

I don't like that much either. If I would have bought a new one, I would have removed the pipes and had them ceramic coated on the inside. That would sure help keep them nice. But, not much point in that after a few hundred miles.

i like how the turn part of my exhaust [remus] is gold i think it looks cool

I picked up a pair of used 1150 GS headers (interchangable with R headers) on ebay - got 'em for $50 (retaining my originals just in case). These GS headers had long passed blue or gold and were well into brown.

I sent them to JetHot Coatings. JetHot stripped the chrome and refinished them in a "sterling" ceramic coating (inside and out) good to 1300 degrees. My headers came back with a warning that if stationary high rpm tuning was necessary, a fan should be used to prevent overheating (and dulling of the finish). Sterling is not quite as bright as chrome but it's not nearly as gray as the engine cases. JetHot also offers a black and a gray ceramic coating that are rated to 2000 degrees.

I've had these headers on for a couple of weeks now (about 500 miles of mostly stop and go traffic in 95 degree weather) and I think they look great. I had a stainless Y pipe coated at the same time and the job (including return shipping) cost $190.

I know what they say about blue and gold being characteristics, but I just don't care for the discoloration and I'm hoping for good service out of the sterling coating.

Check the JetHot web site for more information...

Good luck - Bob

How much does the Sterling coating run? Tks

I guess I meant just for the headers. Do you have a link or #? tks

They coated the headers and a Y pipe inside and out for me. The charge was 190 (and included return shipping - UPS)

Bobclift, when they jetcoat the headers do they have to do anything to the pipe where it bolts back to the heads or y-pipe?

Nothing required where the headers bolt to the manifold. I taped an inch or so where the headers meet the y pipe and where the y pipe meets the can (they coated lightly where taped so the fit wouldn't be too tight). I also taped the O2 sensor bung so they would know not to get coating into the sensor threads. Everything bolted up fine (with the help of a rubber malet and a can of WD40.

Here's the link for JetHot: http://www.jet-hot.com/

Bob

bobclift wrote: I sent them to JetHot Coatings. JetHot stripped the chrome and refinished them in a "sterling" ceramic coating (inside and out) good to 1300 degrees. My headers came back with a warning that if stationary high rpm tuning was necessary, a fan should be used to prevent overheating (and dulling of the finish). Sterling is not quite as bright as chrome but it's not nearly as gray as the engine cases. JetHot also offers a black and a gray ceramic coating that are rated to 2000 degrees.

I've had these headers on for a couple of weeks now (about 500 miles of mostly stop and go traffic in 95 degree weather) and I think they look great. I had a stainless Y pipe coated at the same time and the job (including return shipping) cost $190.

Bob

What was the turn around time, from sending to receiving them back from jethot?

I am with KHaynes; it is part of the BMW character!

Let 'em blue!

I like the blue pipes; it adds a bit more character to the bike.

Jet Hot charges $160 to coat the headers. Turn around is about 2 weeks. I like the blue and gold colors too, but mine were turning brown, I didn't care for that so I had mine done a few months ago.
Don

Back in the day, the further back your pipes blued, the harder you rode! More blue, more prestige!

Blue pipes is a BMW tradition! I like them!

The Harley boy's ask why my pipes are blue. I just reply, why are your bike's breaking down.

I can't wait for mine to get black. Buddy of mine has an R1150GSA and after about 15-20k his pipes started turning black after the purpling.

The black would jive nicely with the rockstericity. :-)

I like the ride and not so vain about the look, but it is usually very clean and polished. On its own the R does look good. I really like the red glow when I pull into the garage after dark and turn out the lights. look but do not touch.

You can ride or you can polish the choice is yours, but BMW's used to be owned by the ride type person. If you don't like the blue you can polish it out.

After having rusty exhausts on other bikes ,I think it is great just watching those pipes go blue.
Also invites comments like "you must have been giving that bike some welly"
A knowing smirk suffices in reply.