Anti corrosion treatment for exhausts?

[Bill Newman]

I have recently acquired a set of NOS 4 into 4 pipes for a Z900A4 and before I fit them I was wondering whether to try and get the inside of the pipes coated with something to try and stave off corrosion from the inside out (having started the bike on Sunday for the first time in 3 months and seen the amount of condensation given off ).

Has anybody done anything similar or has any experience of this - any views gratefully received. Given these pipes are so hard to find I would like to prolong their life if possible.

[Steve R]

Hi Bill,

I have no idea if this works or not, but when I got a new vance and hines 4 into 1 before I fitted it I sprayed a lot of VHT paint inside it, enough that I am pretty confident it covered everything. Then every time I wash and clean the bike I spray a load of WD40 into the end of the exhaust. Smokes a bit next time i start it, but not for long

As I said I dont know if this works as the pipe has only been on for 2 years, but no rust yet!

The other thing I do, is in hte winter the bike is covered with a cheap indoor bike cover and under it is a 180 watt greenhouse heater, (one of those electric tubes) mounted on a bit of ply covered with tinfoil to reflect the heat up, this sits right under the bike. Now I do know this works superbly, MY bike is all polished alloy, without the heater it will be covered in condensation, with it on there is none at all and the alloy will stay shiny all winter with out me touching it. This means as well there is no condensation inside the engine or inside the exhaust or the fuel tank.

[Jerry]

Hi Bill,
Several members up this way over the years have taken the baffles out and corked the outlets, then pour a pint or so of heat resistant paint ( colour of your choice!) down the other end, give the pipe a good shake - a lambada or a cha-cha around the garage works best so long as no-one is watching, then tip the residue out, clean the pipe off and let it dry. It's a meesy process, I'm told, but it'll lengthen the life of the pipes. Another tip is, especially through winter, is not to run the engine for less than 15-20 minutes, otherwise the rear of the pipes don't get to a temperature where the condensation will vaporise, leaving you a load of water in the silencers.

[Steve Cooke]

That,s what I,ve just done with my new 4 into 4,s, I don't know that it works but logic says it must do. Also check the drainage holes regularly.

[hal]

Just done the same with my 4 into 4s Blackfriar paints do half litre tins of heat resistant black paint for BBQ's and stoves for £10. The rotted Z1 exhausts ive seen are usually rusted through at the very ends where the baffle bolts in, this part is double skinned and its important to get some paint in there as this part does not get very hot and condensation can just sit there on a short run. Its a good idea not to run your engine unless you are going for a good run its a lot of exhaust system to get hot !!

[mick]

Take a tip from the 2 strokers! I poured 2 stroke oil in my Z1R and Z1A exhausts and did a cha cha with them. Poured it out and let them drain. Smoked a bit on start up (not as much as you would imagine). 20 years on my insides (?) have an oily baked coating inside the exhausts.....