As I pulled into a gas station last week there was a bike gassing up in the other stall. I said hi to the rider then got my gas started. As I finished up - he mentioned that my pipes were too blue - and that my engine was running too hot. I nodded and then off he went. My bike runs great - no heat problems that I know of. When I replaced the exhaust system the instructions said the pipe will change colors and that the process is completely normal. As a matter of fact it said that was part of the "beauty" of that pipe. I didn't buy into that blah... but the pipe is a warranty-able part from Harley.

After I took the heat shields off the old set they were also the same color. I think they make a heat shield for this set now - me, I'm good with the way they look but they have melted some footwear, so a set of heat shields would be wise - maybe down the road.

So anyway here is a recent pic and I just wanted to get some (knowledgeable) opinions.

If you ride hard I don't care how rich you are you will blue your pipes. If you are carbureted just lean out to it pops and got up one jet. How old are the pipes? If they are old with miles ignore thjat weirdo just ride. Went to the Don Garlits museum today, good show as always
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I'm thinking a smidge on the lean side.

I do ride it hard - usually cruise around 80 or more... that's just to keep up with the traffic out here.

It pops under hard deceleration : pop pop pop pop (coming hard off the free way - down shift and let the engine brake)

The pipes are 10 years old with about 15 - 20k miles on them.
Thanks for the help!!


Yeah after he said something i saw what he was talking about - they do look pretty blue - but I have been riding the snot out of it and its running good...
Thanks.

My motto: don't fix it if it's not broken...
If it is running too lean - what color should the plugs be?
Should I look into the next size up jet?

???

The popping on decelleration is due to how it is baffled or possibly an exhaust leak. (thats been my experience). My drag pipes blued pretty quick and if anything, my bike is running way to rich. I have to roll 75-85 most of the time on the highway to stay out of the cages way. If your bike is running good, I wouldn't worry about it.

So I'm paying more attention to it now - and it's not popping as much, I even tried to make it pop but its running great - knock wood!! I pulled the plugs and compared them to the chart they are a nice tan the same as in the pic - so all is good.
I"m sticking with what works and I'm looking into some heat shields.
Thanks for all the advice and help.