Normal operating temperature

[newmaac]

Does anyone have information regarding a normal range of temperature at the cyl. head/header?
I have read posts where people mentioned checking header temp to check for proper firing, (and maybe even jetting issues).
While riding on the freeway, I often feel a lot of heat on the shins, and am not sure if this is normal.
I have access to a hand held laser temp gauge, but don't have a clue as to what the reading SHOULD be.
Any help??

Thanks,
Mike

[Do Lee]

I would also like to know operating engine temperature.
You should get your bike up to running temperature and take some temperature reading at each of the header pipes and then at different spots around the cylinders and heads and post your findings.
Engine paints are rated from 500 up to 1500+ degrees F. If all 4 cylinders are operating properly the temperature between the 4 cylinders should be pretty close to each other in temperature. It's only when there is a significant difference of the cylinders temperature (high or low) you could possibly have a firing problem.
Blueing of the header pipes is one sign of exessive temperature at the cylinders. Some causes could be lean mixture or timing and the possibility of others.

[beechfront]

BLUEING

some people will argue with me, but blueing does not necessarily mean too hot. my pipes blued last winter on a cold day. I think it has more to do with extreme temperature changes. I polished the blueing off of two of my four pipes. It's been 1000 miles and the two I polished still look good. A guy I know said the pipes on his valkyrie blued after riding in rain. He thought the cold water on the hot pipes caused it.

[Snow]

I'd like to argue with ya beech

I would wager that your pipes actually *did* blue from your bike running hotter. Sounds kinda wacky, but if the air is cold enough, it actually will act somewhat like running on a little bit of nitrous oxide, packing more air into the fuel/air mixture as the air is more condensed, thereby running leaner and hotter.

[Robert Haller]

Blueing

That's an interesting question... do the pipes blue due to extreme temp changes or due to denser air and thus leaner mix? I had the same experience. I rode with new pipes over 3k miles during the summer and fall with no discoloration at all. But after just a couple of short rides in the winter (30-40 degrees) they changed suddenly (gold rather than blue).

Beechfront - how or what did you polish the blueing off with? In my experience I can polish it off but it comes right back after riding.

[beechfront]

blueing

I used a product called Blue-Job. It was about $10 and comes in a white cylindrical containter about an inch tall. took a lot of work to get the blueing off but so far it hasn't come back.

[stevec5000]

My VDO head temperature gauge says the cylinder head temp. is about 300F-325F all the time after warming up for a few minutes. It will sometimes go as high as 350F when going up hill on the freeway at 80MPH with a headwind but drops back to around 300F when I level off.

[newmaac]

Thanks Steve, That's exactly what I am looking for, something to compare to.
I will post my findings after I spend some time with it this weekend.

Mike