I just bought an FMF Powercore slip-on for my 2004 E model and was wondering if i can clean up (remove paint then polish) my stock head pipe - will it shine up nice or not ?

I'm assuming it's stainless steel so it should.

I searched and found someone who installed a slip on only and the picture showed what looked to be a complete new exhaust so either he posted wrong or cleaned up the header pipe. I also have seen pictures of bikes with stock black head pipe and shiny new slip-on and that doesn't look so good.

Has anyone done this - if so please post pics. :thumbsup:

Thanks !

The stock headpipe is not stainless.
No it will not "polish up nice"

you can just hit it with a wire wheel and it will get a lil gloss to it but will just rust eventually. best thing is to just clean it up and spray with some rattle can black heat resistent paint.

Damn - now i gotta buy the powerbomb header ! Wifey doesn't like the "black thingy in the front with the shiny thingy in the back" look. :-)

What is the material - CRS or ?

Thanks for replies.

its just plain ol mild steel, it MAY be aluminized though (a very mild aluminum coating, still welds like normal mild steel but doesnt rust as easy)

It's just plain steel, and if you strip the paint, it will rust within days.
Sell the slip on noise maker; buy a exhaust system MRD, Yosh, Muzzy, that will allow additional performance as well as make more noise like the FMF Slip on.

I bought the powerbomb header. I can't have my DRZ exhaust as loud as a harley - they (MRD) are the best systems but stupid loud. My bike is fast enough i just wanted it to sound better - stock system too quiet. MRD SSW too loud. Powercore 4 just right.
I had a full Yosh RS (3 or 4?) on my '07 SM and that was pretty loud. I ride in not so legal areas - cops don't bother you - and i want to keep it that way. Thanks.

rubbersdown said:

Rubbersdown - what do you know about aluminizing ? I think you're right about that - that the pipe is aluminized. I work in fuel cell industry and i laser weld aluminized SS parts - i can't believe i didn't figure that out. How we do it is physical vapor deposition of aluminum onto the parts then they are run through a vacuum furnace which diffuses the aluminum into the material. I wonder if the head pipes have this diffusion layer or if it's only on the surface ? I will likely have an almost new E head pipe for sale after i install FMF.

1978Rider said:

I am not sure, but I will pretty much guarantee you that IF they are aluminized its just a light surface coat and is in no way "diffused" into the material. Especially sense they still rust pretty easy. You can easily tell by looking at raw material but im not sure I have ever seen one unpainted/uncoated with something.

The Powerbomb is a cool header. You're just going to have to buy it. Most of any improvement you could experience in power will come from a less restrictive head pipe like the Powerbomb and proper jetting/3X3. This seller has a good deal on it. Best.
http://cgi.ebay.com/...RK%3AMEWAX%3AIT

I got the header pipe for $156 and slip-on for $199 from afterburnermx.com - no shipping.

They have the best prices out there !

Can't wait to put it on - will take video before and after and post it.

$156 is a bargain for that pipe. I'm going to give them a call. Thanks for the tip.