Blue pipes

[tpetersen]

The bike I just bought has 4 blue exhaust pipes. someone told me that it was because the bike is running lean. The carbs have been cleaned out, 3x's, really dirty and now seems to be running pretty good. I haven't yet tuned them. If the bike is lean how do you adjust, or how do you find out if it is running lean?

[Bookmon]

each bike has it's own carb mix ratio. What size is yours. Do you have a manual? If no, search deeply online, you will find enough data/manuals to help.
-bookmon

[tom203]

Hope that carb cleaning has corrected the lean condition. Pull spark plugs to get a rough idea, assuming you put new ones in. Check air filter element to make sure it is intact. Follow the link to Basscliff's site for info overload.

[duaneage]

We could use a bit more information, such as is this bike stock or does it have pods, 4-1, etc. If the airbox is missing you are entering the realm of rejetting and high speed plug checks.

If the airbox is gone and pods are in place I would suggest getting an air box back on the bike.

And by the way, what kind of bike are we talking about? Model, year?

[tpetersen]

blue pipes

Bike is stock 82 gs850gl. Jets, carbs, air filter are all stock and good. Cleaning may have corrected the issue but I was wondering if there is a way to verify anything. Plugs are new. Seem to have a small amount of white to them. Does this help. What about the carb tech tool, has any one ever used it?

[Griffin]

Is it a stock exhaust, or aftermarket? Many aftermarket exhausts are single wall piping (as opposed to stock double wall), and will blue a bit even if the mixture is right.

Your spark plugs will tell the story. Do plug chop testing to see where you're at. Here's a thread where it is discussed:

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...p+procedure%22


Also, BassCliff has the instructions on his site.

In a nutshell, you want your spark plugs to be slightly tan to gray in color, with no black residue. If they are white, you're lean. If they are sooty black, you're rich.

[tatu]

Just to mention, you can metal polish the blue out.

[TheCafeKid]

Just to mention, you can metal polish the blue out.

Of course some pipes blue is sought after. You don't polish this out.
Yum!!
Full Ti exhaust system...not mine unfortunately...

[sedelen]

Just to mention, you can metal polish the blue out.

Blue Job! Removes the blue from the pipes, ask me how I know.
Only thing though is if whatever made them blue isn't rectified it'll blue back, ask me how I know.

http://www.blue-job.com/

[sedelen]

Before "Blue Job"


After "Blue Job" The stuff really works, but you'll do alot of rubbing!

[ikantbreave]

Is the gold a bad thing? I got one gold and one not. The gold one was a stock replacement I got that way.

[cableguy]

Welcome to the GSR! Getting questions answered will go smoother if you add your year/make/model of your bike to your signature, as well any mods that may be present (exhaust, jetting, electrical, suspension etc). Riding in manhattan with your first bike? They don't teach the skills you need for that in the safety classes! Glad you got your clutch issues sorted.

[ndaugbjerg]

OK, Guys,
I don't want to offend anyone but it seems there is a bit too much concern over blue pipes. If your pipes are badly discolored, yes, by all means, check your plugs, mixture etc. But leave the pipes alone. They make a statement just like a 50 mission crush in your flight cap, hash marks on your sleeve or a campaign ribbon on your chest. Shiny, spotless pipes also make a statement: I'm a hanger queen and this guy is a wannabe! So when you have confirmed that the bike is properly tuned, put the polish on the shelf for your wife's silver and go riding.
Niels

[7981GS]

OK, Guys,
I don't want to offend anyone but it seems there is a bit too much concern over blue pipes. If your pipes are badly discolored, yes, by all means, check your plugs, mixture etc.
But leave the pipes alone. They make a statement just like a 50 mission crush in your flight cap, hash marks on your sleeve or a campaign ribbon on your chest.
Shiny, spotless pipes also make a statement: I'm a hanger queen and this guy is a wannabe!
So when you have confirmed that the bike is properly tuned, put the polish on the shelf for your wife's silver and go riding.
Niels

AMEN!!! Well stated and factual.




Eric

[1948man]

One thing about getting the blue out is it lets you see if your bike is running lean in the future.