Wrapped Exhausts

[sandy]

Is it purely for show, or are there benefits ?

[gstallons]

The heat stays IN the exhaust pipe....... You decide if that is beneficial or not.

[Paxo]

Great if you want to disguise your Guzzi to look like a Harley "Bobber", but why would you do that?

Or if you're crouched down beside the bike working on it and you start to topple backwards, what part of the bike do you grab first? Done that....but only once!

[GuzziMoto]

The theory, at least in part, is that heat is energy (it is) and that wrapping the exhaust pipe keeps that energy in the exhaust so that whatever tuning has been done in regards to designing the pipe will have the greatest effect.
If you do that to a street bike, especially a 2 valve Guzzi, I am pretty sure you would not notice a performance benefit. But the heat kept in the exhaust can take its toll on the metal the pipe is made from. Stainless should be fine but lower grade steels can disintegrate.
If you like the looks then go ahead. But I have only done that (wrapping the pipe) for a reason better then looks. Like keeping the pipe from burning my leg.

[pete roper]

Keeping the gas as hot as possible means greater density and pressure and hence it will travel more quickly wich in turn will effect greater scavenge. In real terms for yer average motor it willproduce a similar effect to indexing spark plugs. ie, three fifths of bugger all.

Pete

[ItalianSpiderman]

The downside I've heard is that water can get in (assuming you leave your bike out in the rain - or you wash it) and can cause corrosion. If you do it, the recommended way is to wrap from the back to the front, so the wrap overlaps sort of like shingles on a roof and water will tend to run off better instead of seeping in.

[gstallons]

If it is stainles steel it will not corrode......

[sandy]

If it is stainles steel it will not corrode......

There are over 150 grades of stainless steel and some are more prone to corrosion than others. Generally, the higher the chromium content, the less likely the steel will rust. However, over time, rust can and will develop on stainless steel.

[GuzziMoto]

Yes, stainless is called stainLESS, not stainfree.
But keep in mind that when the motor is running the pipe is HOT. Unless it gets wet when it is parked it is not a big issue. At least not in my experience. Maybe if the bike is left outside and not ridden much it could be. But the fiberglass wrap does not readily absorb water, and if you apply the silicone protective coating to the wrap it will actually repel water. But the heat will eat lesser metals. If you like the look you can do it as long as your pipe is stainless. Or you could have the pipe coated with one of the many heat coatings, an option I prefer for cosmetic reasons. To each their own.

[oldmanjob]

I like my bluing pipes I am a wrap free guzzist -------------------------------->