Most motorcyclists pride themselves on showing off their motorcycle every time they go for a ride. And that's no wonder, because motorcycles are fun vehicles that can look pretty amazing if you take good care of them. There are a few cosmetic issues that can occur on motorcycles that can often be bothersome. One of these problems could be the blue staining of your exhaust, for no apparent reason. Not only is it boring, it's also embarrassing.
Exhaust pipes - general information:
Do not hesitate to consult our guide on exhaust pipes to learn more about this essential component in every motorcycle. In this article, we discuss the different types of exhaust that exist, how they work and buying advice if you want to replace your exhaust.
Why do motorcycle exhaust pipes turn blue?
Motorcycle exhaust pipes turn blue due to the extreme heat passing through them. Usually this is because the motorcycle is lean i.e. there is too much air and too little gas mixed causing a higher temperature to pass through the exhaust pipes.
The exhaust system of a motorcycle not only performs a vital function for the motorcycle, but it can also be a statement according to your cosmetic tastes. If someone wants to customize their motorcycle, the exhaust system is usually one of the most common items to customize.
Because they are so important to the aesthetics of a motorcycle, owners usually pay close attention to their appearance and start to worry and annoy when they start to take on an unintentional color. Some people like this discoloration, but others don't.
Exhaust pipes that turn blue from the heat passing through them
It's actually quite common for a motorcycle's exhaust pipes to turn blue, so don't feel bad if you've been a victim of this phenomenon. Motorcycle exhaust pipes turn blue due to extreme heat going through them. Obviously there is already a fair amount of heat passing through them, but if there is an excessive amount or a hotter amount passing through them, the result is often blue pipes.
Overuse of the motorcycle
Motorcyclists who run their engine frequently may find that their hoses eventually turn blue. Running the engine makes it work harder, which means excessive heat is going through the pipes. While running the engine isn't necessarily bad for him, it can lead to this kind of situation. For more information on whether or not running your motorcycle's engine is bad, check out my article here.
Other probable reasons
When this happens, the combustion that occurs in the engine's combustion chamber becomes much hotter, which means that the air passing through the exhaust pipes is at a higher temperature than normal. Some motorcycle exhaust pipes are more likely to discolor depending on the type of metal they are made of.
Heat colors metal due to a process called oxidation. When metal is heated to a high enough temperature, it can interact with gas molecules and light waves around it. The final color results from the amount of interaction the metal had with these elements. The extreme temperatures that can pass in motorcycle exhaust pipes that a motorcycle engine is not normally able to produce usually results in a blue color.
In general, the base of the exhaust manifolds is the most colorful, as this is where it experiences the most heat. The color fades as you go down the pipe. If most of the hoses are blue, it probably means your engine has been idling for a while and you haven't remedied it.
Another likely and more common culprit of blue staining in exhaust pipes is an empty engine. When an engine is running on lean, the carburetor (or sometimes even a fuel injector if you have one) malfunctions and gives too much air or not enough fuel to the engine.
How to fix a blue motorcycle exhaust?
As I mentioned before, some people don't mind the discoloration of their motorcycle's exhaust pipes. Some simply choose to keep the blue color that can be found there. But if you are one of those who don't like it, there are a few ways to get rid of that blue color.
The first option is to outright replace headers. This is the more expensive option, but it's a task you can accomplish in the comfort of your own garage. I myself have changed dozens of exhaust pipes on motorcycles and have found that it can be done easily on your own; provided you choose the right tips.
Exhaust pipes available on Amazon
There are tons of products that you can easily use to polish your tailpipes. Discoloration of pipes is essentially "sticking" in the pipe; it is therefore important to obtain a polished metal specifically designed to "blue" the exhaust pipes.
Polishing products available on Amazon
Blue Job is a great choice among many and can help remove blue from your motorcycle's exhaust. It is enough to put the product on the pipes and to make it penetrate to polish them. It should eventually make the bruise that formed at the start disappear.
If you are ready to give your motorcycle a new look, you can also paint and weld your collectors or use an exhaust film. It may sound like a cover-up, but I have done this on several of my motorcycle restorations and the result is impressive.
Recommended paint available on Amazon
Our recommended products for repairing exhaust pipes that turn blue:
To conclude, here are some recommended products on Amazon:
