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got the pipes ceramic coated

6678 Views 30 Replies 18 Participants Last post by bevel450, Apr 6, 2006

chiromikey

Discussion Starter · Apr 3, 2006 (Edited)

3

i finally got the new akra system jet-hot coated in flat black. besides looking cool and being slightly more durable than paint, i can honestly say don't waste your time or money. go pick up some high temp engine enamel and save yourself the dough.

1. they overcharged me and can't reverse the charges until monday when the proper manager is in the office (no biggie).

2. heat benefits to the rider are unnoticable. i'll give them the benefit of the doubt as far as heat goes since i think most of the heat we feel is engine heat instead of exhaust heat so there's probably not much we can do.

3. while the outside of the pipes look great, the inside was barely coated (even though they claim to have this secret process that pressure coats the entire inside of the pipes).

4. they didn't tape off ANY of the joints that i spent 1/2 hour going over with them. i spent over 3 hours sanding instead of slapping these things on right away and going for a ride. nothing like a 30 minute job taking 4 hours!!!

5. i SERIOUSLY doubt there's any performance gains but i'll do some dyno runs when i get the time.

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1 - 20 of 31 Posts

duey

· #2 · Apr 3, 2006

Curious but how much did you pay?

I must say though they do look great and match well with the rest of the bike.

chiromikey

Discussion Starter · #3 · Apr 3, 2006

duey said:
Curious but how much did you pay?

I must say though they do look great and match well with the rest of the bike.

thanks. i was quoted $140-$280 and paid $280. a decent portion of that should (better!) get credited back...we'll see how much.

Psychor

· #4 · Apr 3, 2006

The pipes do look nice at least.

Synergy

· #5 · Apr 3, 2006

I ceramic coated my full system using a product from VHT Ceramic Header paint, it was a 3 part process including baking the parts between coats. It was a freaking headache and wasnt very durable. I am now taking them to my powdercoater for true ceramic coating, which is a lot more durable. I say dont waste your time with a spraycans. All in all it took me prob 8 hours of work and 40 bucks in paint

paulo57509

· #6 · Apr 3, 2006

The previous owner of my 748 had the Arrow pipes ceramic coated in what looks like polished aluminum. I've had the exhaust off the machine a few times and noticed that who ever did the coating didn't mask off any of the joints. I also didn't have any problems with the coating making re-assembly difficult.

How thick is the Jet-Hot coating?

Your black pipes look nice, BTW.

chiromikey

Discussion Starter · #7 · Apr 3, 2006

paulo57509 said:
The previous owner of my 748 had the Arrow pipes ceramic coated in what looks like polished aluminum. I've had the exhaust off the machine a few times and noticed that who ever did the coating didn't mask off any of the joints. I also didn't have any problems with the coating making re-assembly difficult.

How thick is the Jet-Hot coating?

Your black pipes look nice, BTW.

thanks. i don't know how thick jet-hot's coating is but i do know it was too thick for this system to be put back together. there seems to be multiple layers, a layer (or layers) of colorless ceramic with a layer(s) of black ceramic over that.

galaxy

· #8 · Apr 3, 2006

Chiromikey, I agree with you about most of the heat comes from the engine and not the pipes. Funny thing about the heat is I contacted two companies when I was contemplating doing mine, Jet-Hot and one other (can't remember). Both companies admitted to me that thier coating was less effective than heat wrap at reducing surrounding radiant temperatures. Since I personally like the looks of the wrap, and given the cost factor, that was the decision maker for me. But, your's does look good and does "fit" the bike very nicely.

rz33v4

· #9 · Apr 3, 2006

Possible Sandbagging

Chiromikey,

Isn't that an 853R and not a 748R any more?

chiromikey

Discussion Starter · #10 · Apr 3, 2006

rz33v4 said:
Chiromikey,

Isn't that an 853R and not a 748R any more?

yes sir, but it's more fun passing the litre bikes with the 748 badges.

paulo57509

· #11 · Apr 3, 2006

chiromikey said:
yes sir, but it's more fun passing the litre bikes with the 748 badges.

Run the biggest...but boast the least. I like it!

blurry

· #12 · Apr 3, 2006

a guy on the speedzilla group wrap his pipes with black wrap:

http://www.speedzilla.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11346&highlight=black+wrap

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Chuckracer

· #13 · Apr 3, 2006

That looks great, Mike!!

See you tonight at the meeting?

chiromikey

Discussion Starter · #14 · Apr 4, 2006

blurry said:
a guy on the speedzilla group wrap his pipes with black wrap:

you're walking a very thin line by bringing up exhaust wrap in my post...VERY THIN!!! you're kinda new around here so i'll let it go...this time.

Chuckracer said:
That looks great, Mike!!

See you tonight at the meeting?

thanks chuck. i just got back from the meeting and didn't see you. i bet you didn't hear about the change of venue. i didn't either so it's a good thing i can pull up the internet on my phone.

Jus_Livin

· #15 · Apr 4, 2006

blurry said:
a guy on the speedzilla group wrap his pipes with black wrap:

http://www.speedzilla.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11346&highlight=black+wrap

I think that's Galaxy's bike. ( not to change topic, jus' information, that's all mike).

Mike, Your bike looks tough as hell.

galaxy

· #16 · Apr 4, 2006

Yep!!! That's mine. Mike, I forgot what your beef it with the wrap though??? Was it just the looks?

chiromikey

Discussion Starter · #17 · Apr 4, 2006

galaxy said:
Yep!!! That's mine. Mike, I forgot what your beef it with the wrap though??? Was it just the looks?

i knew that was your bike...and it does look good.

without getting too in depth, my beef is with the fact that thermal wrap can force the metal to retain too much heat...to the point of causing deterioration of the expensive components underneath. because of this and the experiences i've had with it, it is my belief that wrap should only be used on parts you want to protect, not the exhuast itself.

karter18

· #18 · Apr 4, 2006

We had my wife's pipes ceramic coated over a year ago and they look as good as the day we got the pipes back? It does cut down on the heat as you can get your hand right up to the pipes and not feel that much heat unless you accidently touch the pipes as I have compared the heat to stock pipes as well. We had them coated in a titanium color to get as close to the frame color as possible. Total cost was $120 for all three pipes on a 749s and then we had one pipe done on a 999s for around $115.

Just thought I would present another point of view. Picture of the 749s attached. I have not taken a photo of the 999s pipes lately but the coating seems to be holding up well and the bike sees more track days that street riding lately.

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galaxy

· #19 · Apr 4, 2006

Yea, that does look good. Actually, even though I said I like the looks of the wrap, I hated the looks of that oval pipe on the new full systems like mine even more. Wanted to distract from that. If it had all round pipes like before, I would have most likely coated or nothing at all I believe.

GusGus748s

· #20 · Apr 4, 2006

Your bike looks awesome. I miss my Duc. at times. I'm not sure if I should go for it and buy the 998, 05 999 or the Mille Factory yet. Damn options.

chiromikey said:
i finally got the new akra system jet-hot coated in flat black. besides looking cool and being slightly more durable than paint, i can honestly say don't waste your time or money. go pick up some high temp engine enamel and save yourself the dough.

1. they overcharged me and can't reverse the charges until monday when the proper manager is in the office (no biggie).

2. heat benefits to the rider are unnoticable. i'll give them the benefit of the doubt as far as heat goes since i think most of the heat we feel is engine heat instead of exhaust heat so there's probably not much we can do.

3. while the outside of the pipes look great, the inside was barely coated (even though they claim to have this secret process that pressure coats the entire inside of the pipes).

4. they didn't tape off ANY of the joints that i spent 1/2 hour going over with them. i spent over 3 hours sanding instead of slapping these things on right away and going for a ride. nothing like a 30 minute job taking 4 hours!!!

5. i SERIOUSLY doubt there's any performance gains but i'll do some dyno runs when i get the time.

1 - 20 of 31 Posts

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