Hello Chaps!

I have just recently finished heat wrapping my exhaust so i thought id post up about it with some pretty pictures! (and a boring narrative)

So, I bought the metal mule 2-1 exhaust for my 09 R, as im about to embark on a long trip, need to save weight and most importantly have to remove the cat from the standard cans.
Anyway... after much swearing and eventually fitting the exhaust i took it for a test ride. All seemed well until I was sitting in traffic and smelt smoke... then felt my leg getting unusually hot. The rear screw holding on the exhaust cover plate had literally burnt all the way through my priceless (�40) Akito motorcycle trousers and had made several other little holes along the way... by the time i noticed the smoke was reaching head level.

I asked a few people with the MM exhaust on this forum for suggestions. The dudes i asked had all experienced the same problem and the solutions were
1. tie the trousers up
2. remove the screw and bank on the front two
3. buy higher boots

So i decided to get some Heat wrap!!!
My main reasons were:
The MM exhaust gets boiling hot, and its so close to the 'Y' part of the frame which in turn got very hot which im guessing isnt cool
There is a ton of heat pouring out in all directions from the exhaust
That naughty little screw hates my trousers... i have no idea what its problem is...

Right so on with the heat wrapping! I got the wrap from http://www.thermalvelocity.co.uk/ And i spoke with a guy called Eddy... Great bloke ... was very interested in my trip (which is what makes him a great bloke not to mention was very helpful The heat wrap i got was the G-Force one due to its abrasion resistance, durability, up to 600 celcius temp and mainly because its black which looks cool

So, on the exhaust shield, it was the far rear screw which kept burning holes in my trousers, the screw fits into a threaded stud which is just spot welded onto the exhaust

http://www.xt660.com/attachment.php?...1&d=1301685838

So first i grinded off all three studs and polished the pipe (sounds naughty)

http://www.xt660.com/attachment.php?...1&d=1301685838

Then, to fit the heat wrap, I first wet the heat wrap so that it would be easier to tighten around the pipe and plus when it dries it would all tighten up. Then bought some stainless stell jubilee clips and screwed on end on and tightly wrapped the pipe. On the Metal Mule 2-1 system, the link pipe is detachable as it wont all go on in one piece, so i wrapped it individually so that i am able in future to remove and reattach the exhaust without messing around with the heat wrap.
(The bit that hasnt been wrapped on the link pipe has been left free for the lambda sensor)

http://www.xt660.com/attachment.php?...1&d=1301685838

Once it was all wrapped and jubileed up, i left it overnight to dry. The next day i reattached the exhaust and started the bike so that it would burn off all the volatiles (starch in the yarn). Also it was to make sure that the wrap was completely bone dry. It all smoked up, so i left it for 15 minutes and the smoke ceased.

http://www.xt660.com/attachment.php?...1&d=1301686649

http://www.xt660.com/attachment.php?...1&d=1301685962

Off came the exhaust again (i know it sounds like a long process but once the MM system is fitted [first time is a b*tch] it comes on and off as easy as your shoe)

The exhaust got strung up in the garage and then was sprayed with Hi-temp, black exhaust paint. 3 coats and she was done. While she was drying I applied heat protective tape on the inside of my frame as an anal precaution (the heat tape i also got from thermal velocity). Left it overnight and I put the exhaust back on for final in the morning.

Here are the finished pictures with the heat wrap completely applied, dried and painted, and no holes in my trousers!!!

http://www.xt660.com/attachment.php?...1&d=1301687140

http://www.xt660.com/attachment.php?...1&d=1301687173

http://www.xt660.com/attachment.php?...1&d=1301688075

The heat level on my frame has drastically decreased, the cover has been removed which was further out causing the attaching screw to burn through my trousers, personally i like the look!

Soooo Xt'er's What do y'all think?

(wow i cant believe anyone read to the end of this! )

Thanks

Andy

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