header dent repair

[jhelbig]

I have a '79 GS1000 that I'm trying to put together (got it in boxes). The headers are dented and rusty and I want to try and keep these because they're black and original (I think) and I can't find any new black headers. So anyway, do you guys know where I can send it off to get fixed up or any other ideas? If not, do you know where I can get some new or undamaged black headers?

[BassCliff]

Hi Mr jhelbig,

Have you tried calling any local exhaust shops? Just a thought.


Thank you for your indulgence,


BassCliff

[1978GS1000custom]

the black is most likely just hi temp paint. any local welding shop can pop the dents out for a couple of bucks and maybe even blast them for you on the cheap. what model is the bike? i thought they all pretty much came chrome?

[jhelbig]

It's a '79 GS1000. It may have came chrome, I don't know. They headers seem pretty good except on the bottom it looks like the PO hit a curb or something. An then further up there is a few other dents and dings. The only rust I see is on the dents. It may be hi temp paint but I don't think so.
I'll check a couple machine and exhaust shops and see what they say. I took it to a cycle shop yesterday and they said they didn't know anyone locally (Wilmington, NC) that could fix it. He did say that a few years ago he sent some headers off to a shop he found in the back of a motorcycle magazine and they did a bang up job (HAHA) . Unfortunately, he couldn't remember where or who it was. I bought two mag's yesterday and couldn't find any ads like he was saying. Anyone else seen some?
Thanks, Justin

[Hammered]

How bad is the dent and where is it located on the header pipe? Shot me a pic of it and I may be able to walk you through with little effort depending on where in the pipe it is. Although these pipes are pretty heavy duty.

[jhelbig]

I'll post some pics when a get a chance to go through that whole setup of posting pics. Have too many 6 yr olds running around right now (kids slumber party, yeah me). The dents are one the bottom of the header, like the PO rode over a curb or something. And then there are some others like something was jammed or wedged in between two of them (straight back from the front wheel). I'll post pics when I can. Thanks, Justin

[jhelbig]

Old pipes

Finally figured out (sort of), how to post pic's. So this is what I have to work with, what do you guys think?

[1978GS1000custom]

well, one thing for sure is they are black chrome (its easy to tell with the pealing) the cost of shipping them both ways is gonna be more than what they are worth. if you cut the mufflers off so they fit in a smaller box and send them to me i can pull the dents out and glass bead them for you on the cheap but the black chrome is gonna be costly. i painted mine with hi temp black from autozone and its holding up quite well and easy to touch up if needed. in my picture gallery i have a folder called for sale and if you look in there you will see a complete system from my gs1000 that i can sell you, it has no dents or holes anywhere and sounded really nice before i removed it. if your interested just make me any offer and pay the shipping and its yours (your gonna need your old clamps). that way you only have to pay shipping once. if your not in a hurry DHL is really cheap for shipping these but it will take about a week to get them. hope this helps ya, cliff

[TheCafeKid]

Hey CLiff,

I dunno where Streetsboro Ohio is exactly, but one of these days, maybe for a SWOGS meet or something id love to get a look at that bike of yours

[jhelbig]

Yep, pretty much these bikes are money pits, aren't they? As far as money goes, getting some new ones is probably faster and cheaper in the long run. By the way, thanks for the offer, Cliff, but I was wanting to do the single side exhaust. You mentioned black chrome would be costly. So it is possible to take new chromed exhaust to someone and they can chrome it black? Or should I just get them powdercoated? I have a friend that did my frame and I think he'd give me a good price.

[posplayr]

Holey Crap

Cliff, just looked at that Skunk, . A total sleeper. I did not even notice the USD with that Colley fairing.

Grate job; pull it outside and get some better pics. Snow has melted right?

Pos

[TheCafeKid]

Yep, pretty much these bikes are money pits, aren't they? As far as money goes, getting some new ones is probably faster and cheaper in the long run. By the way, thanks for the offer, Cliff, but I was wanting to do the single side exhaust. You mentioned black chrome would be costly. So it is possible to take new chromed exhaust to someone and they can chrome it black? Or should I just get them powdercoated? I have a friend that did my frame and I think he'd give me a good price.

Ceramic coating is your best bet IMO. Powder coating would be possible, but they'd have to use some high temp stuff. The pipes at the bend closest to the head are retarded hot just at idle. They'll smoke normal powdercoat as soon as the bike is started. Even High Temp paint (1500degree stuff) will change colour over time when exposed to the temps it sees at the head repeatedly...

[reddirtrider]

I got a quote to ceramic coat a Yoshi pipe that i picked up for about $140. That's not too bad but it's the shipping that will run the price up. If you live close to an outfit that will do this, then it's the way to go.

[Hammered]

Are those like the stock pipes, double walled? If so Id say no way on fixing them. Plus those 2 bad ones have the metal creased. Hard to to fix that. What you could do if these arent effecting the performance by restricting the flow, is by having a patch welded over those areas and feather the repair out to look as if it didnt exist. And if youre looking for a good coating that will look like it did when newer and aid in performance, look at the Tech line products.

[1978GS1000custom]

or you could weld a rod in the dent and slide hammer them out . thats how i do it. heres your 4 into 1 on the cheap buy you gotta get quick. these are 300.00 or better new these days. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Suzuk...Q5fAccessories