Small concern, I've only had the bike for a little over 500miles and was concerned yesterday when I noticed a slightly brown dappled effect to the 'exposed' parts of the headers. Could this be the beginnings of rust and if so, is it not a little too soon for that to happen? Should I take it into the dealer to have a look? Can get some pictures after work later on. Any advice would be great right now though.

All Buells I have seen have stainless headers

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08 Specialized Langster

Indeed. They tend to discolour a little (bronze/brown, some manage blue) but should not really rust. You can either accept it or polish them after every ride

Some early models had mild steel headers (ie '98 M2)
Stainless goes golden after heating.

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If your dreams don't scare you, they are not big enough.

Thanks for the replies guys. I def get the blueing and the golden colour a little further down after riding but it still looks to me like there are two patches which stand out a bit. I'll take a photo if i get the chance tonight. Mind is def more at ease now though.

i take it its an xb just get some autosol or other metal polish and give it a good scrub you will have to do all of the headers but they will come up
bit of wire wool sometimes helps

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WE AINT ALL THERE COZ WERE HERE

FASTER THAN THE SPEED OF DARK

Cheers mac, i've just picked up some autosol so I will give that a go tonight.

Once you start, you can't stop...

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08 Specialized Langster

let me know if it works then i can do mine
















not realy done mine some time ago after i had dealer change headers coz i thought they were going rusty but i managed to get old headers back and found out marks polished out but you will have to do it every now and then

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WE AINT ALL THERE COZ WERE HERE

FASTER THAN THE SPEED OF DARK

Spent a good hour on them tonight and not with the best results. Definitely very shiny now but still with some marks here and there. I'll give it another go tomorrow after I've been for a ride and they've heated through once or twice. Maybe that will make a difference.

after the ride to work they look better than new, still some very small marks on there but I reckon one more go with the Autosol will get them out. I'm putting this stuff on my xmas list!

best method i have found is, wash...optiglanz...work up to 2500 grit wet and dry and then autosol. takes out all the marks and gives a great shine, then just optiglanz every now and a gain to keep them clean.
not a very good picture,

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I could be the stig

glad to be of assistants do not use on chrome as it tends to scrach

autoglim do a good chrome polish liquid that works on headers as well

and maguires

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WE AINT ALL THERE COZ WERE HERE

FASTER THAN THE SPEED OF DARK

Not with that green line on your tyre...

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08 Specialized Langster

ha your not the first, and im sure you wont be the last! that picture is about 6 months old

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I could be the stig