Header Dent Removal...?

[teet]

I had a completely empty standup freezer. I filled the pipe with tap water and proped it against the side of the freezer with a bag of ice so it was nearly 70% full of water. I did that at night and checked it in the morn. Frozen solid but no effect on the moderate dents.

I did not think to crank up down the thermostat.

Hmmm..maybe too much water?? I think it totally depends on a lot of factors, and probably some luck too. My dents were only in one section of the 2 center pipes, so I tried to only get the water to pool into those areas. It actually cracked some of the ceramic coating when the dents popped back out.

I definitely agree that its a hit and miss kind of repair, and if I had the money or the option I would have taken my pipe to a body shop and have then pull them out.

On a side note, I had a dent on one of the pipes on my FZR600, and it actually had a small hole in it. I fixed it myself by simply mig welding it to fill in the hole, and slightly build up the dented area. Ground it down, and you would never know there was a hole, or dent. Not feasible on my GS, but if they aren't too bad it might be another option to make them look better....stainless would be a tad more work though.

Jeff (teet)

[Octain]

I think the best thing to do is get used to looking at the dent.

[posplayr]

I think the best thing to do is get used to looking at the dent.

Why would I wanna do that. I would have to get used to lying on my back as that is the only way to see most dents .

Anyway, some of can't leave well enough alone

[posplayr]

Hmmm..maybe too much water?? I think it totally depends on a lot of factors, and probably some luck too. My dents were only in one section of the 2 center pipes, so I tried to only get the water to pool into those areas. It actually cracked some of the ceramic coating when the dents popped back out.

I definitely agree that its a hit and miss kind of repair, and if I had the money or the option I would have taken my pipe to a body shop and have then pull them out.

On a side note, I had a dent on one of the pipes on my FZR600, and it actually had a small hole in it. I fixed it myself by simply mig welding it to fill in the hole, and slightly build up the dented area. Ground it down, and you would never know there was a hole, or dent. Not feasible on my GS, but if they aren't too bad it might be another option to make them look better....stainless would be a tad more work though.

Jeff (teet)

Are we talking thin wall stainless or a more hefty mild steel pipe? I have a Yoshi 4:1 pipe that is pretty damn nice except for a rock dent about 1/4 way up one of the down tubes. That is the one I tested and failed with above.

I also have a Yoshi 4:2:1 thin wall stainless (see my siggy) that could stand some similar treatment if I could figure out what works.

[Octain]

LMAO..
I know all too well about leaving well enough alone.
My wiring harness can vouch for that.

[ronin1166]

Thanks for responses folks.

Liking the frozen-water method. Definitely only fill the affected area with water, not the entire pipe!
In the pics from the fzr link, you can clearly see the frost indicating the water level.

Our freezers at home are too small. Need to find someone with a large, empty-ish one.

It's pretty thin-gage stainless. Ball-bearing won't work well, due to mandrel bends having ovaled the pipe slightly in the dented areas.

I have access to a few very talented welders at work. Guess I'll ask them.

I'm building a nice big motor...I want the header as uniform as possible.

[teet]

Are we talking thin wall stainless or a more hefty mild steel pipe? I have a Yoshi 4:1 pipe that is pretty damn nice except for a rock dent about 1/4 way up one of the down tubes. That is the one I tested and failed with above.

I also have a Yoshi 4:2:1 thin wall stainless (see my siggy) that could stand some similar treatment if I could figure out what works.

It was a V and H pipe on my FZR that I welded. It was mild steel. Stainless could possibly be done this way as well, but stainless displays some interesting colors once welded (blue, orange, etc). It may be able to be buffed out, but I'm not positive.

I would show it to a good welder, and see what they say.

I've attempted some stainless SMAW in the past with decent results, but more structural than cosmetic.

Jeff (teet)