Pipes turned gold and blue!

[Guest]

So installed a new vance & hines 4 in 1 on my '80 850. Rejetted bumping the main jets ftom 115 to 120s.
Did a plug chop adjustment and the bike runs well. The plugs are a charcoal color so seems like I'm running rich.
after about 50 miles my pipes have developed a gold hue with some blue. I thought blue meant I was running lean but my spark plugs don't seem to indicate that.
I've read that some pipes are single walled and blue up no matter what you do.
Just wondering if I should listen to the blue pipes and shim the needles. Or go with ehat the plugs show and just ride.

[gs850cafe]

i need to copy and paste this..

every bike is different...i got away with just main jets an no jet kit, but i still run a hair on the lean side at very little throttle(crusing around town 30 mph)

your best bet is to buy the jet kit an get it over with....

i do plan on getting the kit soon as i can afford it

as for bluing i have no answer..my pipe was painted when i got mine

[Nessism]

The engine could be running lean in one jetting range and rich in another. The only way to know is perform plug chops in each range.

Regarding the pipes, a gold color is normal, as is a little blue next to the head. If the blue extends down very far though that may indicated a problem. Idling for a long time can make the pipes blue too so generalizing is not good. Best to perform the plug chops...or just get a jet kit as mentioned.

[SqDancerLynn1]

Most aftermarket pipes are single walled and they are more susceptible to bluing

[oldgsfan]

Thanks - this is helpful.

I did plug chops but in my shop at idle - not through the various ranges.