blue pipes almost instantly. Normal?

[Guest]

I just cleaned these stock pipes with steel wool and they were looking pretty good with almost no color. I took the bike out for a 30 mile lower rpm test ride and this is what they look like now.



I just adjusted valves, adjusted idle mixture and synchronized carbs. Now I'm second guessing my work even though the bike runs perfectly. The only glitch I noticed on the test run was hard starting after fully warmed. I had to open the throttle fully and crank for a while before it started. But some of that is an old battery not delivering well at start up. It has been a hard starter since I got it running the first time.
Mix screws at 2.5
I just bought this bike in May in nonrunning condition so I have no benchmark for performance.

All stock. Right down to the airbox snorkel. One size bigger main. Mikunis.
Thoughts?

[hampshirehog]

She's running weak if she blues the pipes that quickly. I'd suggest an air leak on the intake somewhere.

Why the fatter mains by the way? She should run fine on the standard ones.

[fivestring]

OK. I'll double check my boots and airbox.

Went up one on the main as recommended by some folks on GSR. Reasoning was the EPA had them leaned slightly to meet regs.

[chef1366]

Are we referring to the Kaw, Yammy or Zook?

[fivestring]

'82 gs1100g

[sedelen]

Blue pipes are an indication of a lean condition. I would not run it like that very long.
Check your plugs and see if they have little or no carbon which would also indicate a lean condition.

[stetracer]

Try a bigger pilot jet or clean the jets out better

[chuck hahn]

How far out the mixture screws are influence the lean or richness of the cylinders also. Where are they at now? May go out 1/4 turn and recheck the plug colors after you have cleaned them well..or better yet..put in new plugs so theres no confusion as to what the colors are.

Base settings as of the collective experience here says 2 out from lightly seated as the start point.

[gs11ezrydr]

Bluing of the pipes don't always show a lean condition from what I have seen in the past. I have seen chokes not shutting all the way off, or leaving the choke on for too long,carbs over flowing, jetting too rich instead of too lean also. Causing what I believe is unburnt fuel to preignite in the pipes resulting in high temperatures causing them to discolor. Notice how most manufacturers won't warranty discoloration. I have warranted several new bikes with that condition besides the normal air leaks, lean conditions, and timing issues that can occur. F.Y.I. With brand new pipes spray some high temp header paint, ceramic, etc. inside the pipes in that area to help in preventing them from bluing. From seeing the pics at least they are bluing evenly across all four so what ever it is effecting all the cylinders the same. Possibly making it easier to repair.

[Nessism]

I've seen pipes turn blue like that when people run the bike in the driveway too long. Particularly with the choke on. Steve has some nifty photos of a GS with cherry red header pipes from just such a situation.

[sedelen]

I've seen pipes turn blue like that when people run the bike in the driveway too long. Particularly with the choke on. Steve has some nifty photos of a GS with cherry red header pipes from just such a situation.

I remember that photo, cherry red was right.

[fivestring]

I pulled the carbs off and discovered both end covers of the air box were missing the gaskets . i sealed both ends up securely and the pipes haven't colored any more. Spark plugs were a lovely tan color.