Exhaust wrap and moisture

[rusche]

Hi ya'll, I tried searching, found a few short results, so I figured I'd just ask
Whats everyones opinion on exhaust wrap and moisture? I've heard horror stories about rotten headers, but I feel the general concensus is that its caused by the lack of heat dissipation, causing the headers to melt down.
I feel like this wouldnt be an issue because headers are exposed to wind, unlike a car. However my concern is the wraps holding in moisture and rotting the pipes? I try not to ride in the rain but it does happen, hard to avoid in North Idaho.

My main concern is that I just picked up a Kerker 4-1 for my V45. These headers are out of production, very difficult to find. I already had to patch several rust pinholes. I would hate to destroy these pipes by subjecting them to moisture that could possibly be held in the wrap.
I'll be honest, I want to wrap them mostly because it looks BA, but my bike also has a tendancy to warm up on a hot day at a stoplight, not sure if this would make a difference.

Thanks for the info. Sorry for the newb questions.

 

[fresh_c]

H2O is a byproduct of hydrocarbon combustion. You are going to always have moisture on the inside of your pipes which is why a lot of pipes rot from the inside. As far as wrap causing the pipes to rust on the outside, I think it would only happen if you leave you bike outside.

It sounds like your pipes might not be in the best shape since you already have pinholes, so I say wrap them.

 

[rusche]

Carport for the time being, but the bike will be moved to the basement when the snow falls. Hopefully I'll have a garage by spring.
I figured with the heat of the exhaust, as long as it wasnt ridden through a puddle and parked, it should keep the wrap dry on its own?
I've got a Lincoln wire feed, but I'm afraid of burning holes in the thin pipe trying to patch the holes. What about a few dabs of JB weld before a few serious coats of ceramic header paint, then wrap?
Thanks for the advice!

 

[HerrDeacon]

I wrapped the rusty headers on my KZ and rode it daily for four years and never had an issue. I live in one of the wettest cities in North America and rode it in all kinds of weather (i.e. rain, salt, snow, fog, etc.). Prior to putting the wrap on I tried to remove as much rust as possible and painted them with header paint. Not saying you won't have an issue (mine weren't rusted through) but just passing along my personal experience.

 

[fresh_c]

Carport for the time being, but the bike will be moved to the basement when the snow falls. Hopefully I'll have a garage by spring.
I figured with the heat of the exhaust, as long as it wasnt ridden through a puddle and parked, it should keep the wrap dry on its own?
I've got a Lincoln wire feed, but I'm afraid of burning holes in the thin pipe trying to patch the holes. What about a few dabs of JB weld before a few serious coats of ceramic header paint, then wrap?
Thanks for the advice!

Exhaust tubing is typically 16 or 18 gauge so I wouldn't worry about burning through. Hell, I built my exhaust with my Lincoln and flux-core wire. I wouldn't bother with JB Weld.

 

[VonYinzer]

Coat the pipes in header paint and heat cure it. Then wrap. Problem solved.

 

[rusche]

Good idea, I think the header will fit in the oven! Gotta love apartment living.
I'll try buzzin the holes up and see how it goes.
Thanks for all the info fellas

 

[dtrader]

Good info in here. I'm considering wrapping the headers on my cx500, and will be painting them in header paint and heating them in the oven prior to wrapping them now.