Are Heat Shields Necessary?

[cowboyup3371]

As I wrote in my projects thread, the left hand pipe heat shield rear mounting brackets are busted to the point I think that's where my rattle has been coming from. The right hand pipe doesn't have a heat shield on it but has the screws still in place.

The weather is going to be pretty nice tomorrow so I intend to take advantage of it and repaint my pipes. However, should I replace both shields? Is it easy to find new ones?

[Rover]

How about these Cowboy?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Suzuki-GS550-550E-nos-exhaust-heat-shield-SET-77-80-/380342553727?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item588e2ecc7f

A bit pricey but they are NOS.

[Rover]

Also I'd double check spacing of mounting holes if you decide to buy.

[cowboyup3371]

Yea, those mounts look wrong. But it gives me a thought now. Thanks Rover, will start looking.

[Steve]

It's not all that necessary. They are really more of a dress-up item, rather than a functional heat shield.

Mrs. Steve's bike has been missing one since we got it about 7 years ago.

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[Allie]

It's not all that necessary. They are really more of a dress-up item, rather than a functional heat shield.

Mrs. Steve's bike has been missing one since we got it about 7 years ago.

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I would highly recommend replacing it before leaving and re-entering the Earth's atmosphere however.

[Steve]

I would highly recommend replacing it before leaving and re-entering the Earth's atmosphere however.

How about if we just make sure the other one is facing forward as we re-enter?

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[Allie]

How about if we just make sure the other one is facing forward as we re-enter?

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I bet you'll see some uneven bluing on the headers if you do that...

[Steve]

I bet you'll see some uneven bluing on the headers if you do that...

Too late.

You can see the bluing on #2 in this picture.


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[Allie]

I see you've already been out - is that meteor scarring on her fork tube?

[850 Combat]

They just cover up an ugly weld and an unchromed area on my bike.

[cowboyup3371]

Thank you all. I removed it today and painted the pipes. They seem to have come out okay but I definitely will never win BOM with my quality of work. I'll look for some more later if it proves that I need them.

[TheCafeKid]

Thank you all. I removed it today and painted the pipes. They seem to have come out okay but I definitely will never win BOM with my quality of work. I'll look for some more later if it proves that I need them.

Yikes, little late now, but was gonna tell you from my personal experience, using the VHT primer before painting those pipes will go a long way in keeping it on there. Also following the curing proceedures on the can is important (although obviously you don't want your bike idling for 20 minutes at a time, break it up into a few cycles of 5 minutes or so, letting them cool between cycles) If you've got an understanding/forgiving wife/GF, and can fit them in the oven, I'd bake the center pipes. Obviously the outer two won't fit in the oven.

Having said all of this, to keep them looking good, plan on having to re-shoot those at least once a season.
If, at some point, you have the funds, I'd look into getting them coated from JetHot or something like that. Not only would they look super sharp, but they'll stay that way for a very very long time....

Otherwise, there's always header wrap.

[cowboyup3371]

Thanks Josh. Yea I intend to run the heat cycles like the can says (was wondering if I could break it up so thank you on that) after I get them back on the bike. I'm going to try and do some maintenance tomorrow but it will still be a little while before I can get it running as I think I may have to order new shims.