Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums Exhaust Blue and Gold on pipes

I am looking to get as much of the blue and gold off my pipes as possible as a winter project. Any one have any suggestions for a product? Normally, i would leave it alone, but 1 pipe is blue the other isn't. My dealer said that I had a spider in my carb (yeah, a bug) which cause that side to fire differently. My bike has 2,400 miles on it. It's a 2005 America. I've ridden other bikes, but this one is a keeper!!!

Simichrome polish works great. You can do it by hand or with a dremel tool. If you go the dremel route, make sure you work slowly so you don't strip the pipe.

well i found that my pipes 'blued' after just over 1000miles(you must be rideing realy steady?)believe it or not, but if you wrap some copper wire around your headers(as close to the exhaust bolts as poss)it stops the 'blueing', an old chap at a bike meet told me that, i tried it n it worked!. but to get rid of the 'blueing' that is already there try a product called (blue off), think its available in te US?, or in the UK we use Solvol Autosol, a bit harsher but does the trick.

Pull that A.I. system ASAP in order to keep those pipes from getting worse.

Soren

Check your plugs too, my bike blued on one side. Turns out the plug wasn't tight on that side. Also check your rubber nipples, I had a cracked one at less than 500. Pull the AI. And if that still doesn't work, pull the carbs and make sure nothing is blocked.

the last time i had rubber nipples was a s 'n' m session haha

Thanks,

When I bought the bike, the dealer said he removed the AI and rejetted. Also, the day I noticed the blueing was also my fault. It was 20 degrees outside. I started it and left the choke on while I "warmed up" the bike. I am told now not to let the bike idle with the choke on for 15 minutes. By the way, without too much sarcasm (i know it is coming) what is this nipple that is being spoken of? Also, how do I check to make sure the dealer did in fact remove the AI?

All help is greatly appreciated.

Ron

The most visible part of the AI system is that tube looking thing with the hose coming out of the top.Nest to your sparkplugs on both sides.I fyou look down next to the sparkplug (outboard of plug) and see some kind of plug bolt at least that part of the ai is gone.

As for rubber nipples cant help ya there I was Breast fed.

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By the way, without too much sarcasm (i know it is coming) what is this nipple that is being spoken of?

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i think it's the vacuum cap: look at part 27 on this bike bandit page.

oh yeah, here's another vote for simichrome.

There are 4 nipples, all covered with rubber caps (affectionately referred to as squirrel condoms.) One may have a hose running to the air box, which is part of the air injection system. If the caps are cracked or don't fit tight, that is bad. Get them replaced. There is one on each carb, and then follow the rubber manifold over to the head, and you will find another. They are pretty obvious.

Blue Job is another rubbing compound to get the blue out of your pipes. It takes a LOT of elbow grease, but the blue does come out. It's also good for just polishing the pipes.

Cody

Simichrome here too but have used blue job both worked.I have a old HD buddy that says to get the pipes hot and apply white vinegar.
Haven't tried it yet.
Jim

I had good results with "Totally Buff" from
www.fountainofyouthrestore.com in Fla.
My pipes were horrible(blue,purple,gold,black), but 6 hours
with a 4" cotton wheel in a cordless drill did the trick.

How far is East Hamton from Danbury? That's where I work. Also, what Triumph dealer in CT do you use? I got mine from the Branchville dealer. His dealership is more of a used car place now and am concerned about how the quality of his work will be. He lost a great mecahnic this summer.
Ron

I got mine from Alex as well. Last time I went by there, it
looked like a used car lot, with a sign outside "mechanics
wanted". I've had my issues.

Anyhoo,
Maybe we can hook up, I'm still riding as long as the
weather holds up.
Uncle Charlie

Dear Uncle Charlie,

BTW (by the way)I did have an Uncle Charlie and he was the best. I was super close with him. Anyway, as for Alex and the lack of a good mechanic, he used to have a guy named "CUE" who was decent. His other mechanic ...I've had issues too. I don't know where to bring the bike for servicing now. I hear that Canton Cycles and Libby's are both good. As for riding together...once the spring comes along...absolutley YES.

Ron

It looks like Canton has sold to Gengres HD in Hartford.
I'd rather ride my bike, than work on it, but out of necessity
I got the Sears jack, and Harbor Freight hydraulic lift table.

Here's to the Spring!
Uncle Charlie

Rob,

I had the same experience with my 05 America. When I mentioned it to the dealer (Manayunk Triumph), he questioned whether it was on the left pipe (looking down from the saddle). I stated it was and he explained this is happening on the 05's with the AI system still intact. This dealer has been very helpful to me and their advice has paid off in the past. His advice was to remove the AI system this winter and polish the h#ll out of it. Good luck.

Steve B.

Gonna try the Blue Job, Simichrome didn't really hack it. Thanks for the posts on this. AI removed and re-jetted so it's time to clean!
SteveB

Thanks, I appreciate it. I looked at the bike today and saw that the AI was removed. I just ordered stuff to help get the blue off. It's going to take a while from what I hear! My winter project!

Ron

Thanks. I heard Libby's is decent. I just found out there is a dealer near West Point. That's about a 45 minute ride for me. I might try them since I have been wanting to ride "bear mountain"

Thanks,
Ron