Some comments concerning the entire string;
The header pipes, both the internal pipe and the external pipe ARE stainless steel (if you doubt that, get a magnet. The outer wall of the outer pipe is polished, not chromed, and you can continue to polish them until you wear through them, however, sometimes severly discolored pipes may never be polished to a completely restored shine. If you maintain the shine rather than wait for the pipes to be REAL blue you chance of maintaining the orignal shine is much better. The silencers are chrome plated - however poorly.
The only purpose for the outer pipe is an attempt to conceal the bluing. It doesn't always work.
There are many suspected reasons;
1. The AI
You all know the AI saga, However my experience is contrary to that theory. My AI has been intact since new w/ 12,500 miles. What blueing has occured has been infrequent and insignificant and controled with occassional polishing. It has been no more bother than the occassional waxing of the bike.
2. Improper tuning
Excessive exhaust temps due to poor tuning (lean mixture)may cause higher than designed temps of the exiting gasses (see #4)
3. Some indication that outer wall on some units may be too close to the inner pipe.
If the distance between the two pipes is significantly closer than design tolerance, the outer pipe may see elevated temperatures.
4. Contrary to the 'LEAN' theory, I've been told that If you leave your choke on for extended periods with the AI functioning as designed, you are sending unburnt gasses into the exhaust port where they are further combusted - More heat - More Blue. Perhaps both excessive lean and excessive rich can contribute to bluing - IDUNNO...
Simichrome and Blue Job are both excellant products and work well on the header pipe. I would use caution when applying to chrome. I works on chrome but I don't feel that long term and frequent use on plateing can do any good to the thickness of the chrome - esspecially the paper-thin stuff on the Triumph. NEVER use this stuff on the chrome plated plastic unless you want un-plated plastic at some point.
Blue Job at $8.95 is an excellent price. I bought mine for $11.95 after searching local sources for some time for a better price.
Regardless of performance modifications, tuning expertise, or cosmetic prowess, your headers will never look like chrome. Best case senario is that the headers will only discolor at the points in which it joins the inner pipe. If you are as fortunate as I have been, periodic polishing will control that.
