which should I trust: Blue pipes or plugs?

my pipes are bluing a bit. I know some is normal, but it could also indicate a lean/rich condition. I pulled the plugs (which have about 5k mixed use) and they're a perfect light rust brown with no white spots, carbon or pitting.

what should I trust because I REALLY dont want to burn a piston with a lean condition. Incidentally, on the hwy I get 47mpg.

Thanks!
Corey
81 750e, all stock.

Always trust the plugs as they tell the story. Once the pipes blue, they don't return to normal chrome, although there are products that are supposed to remove the blue.

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Once they are blue, nothing you can do. When you buy new pipes you can terat them to not turn blue. Your plugs sound like they are burning correctly.

H1Vindicator wrote:

Bump. I'm hoping for more replies.
The bikes are known to have been jetted lean from the factory - I'm assuming it's true for this particular bike as well, so I'm wondering if that should be taken into account irregardless of the plugs' condition?

Like Nate said, there really *isn't* an "irregardless of the plugs' condition..."

Everything that happens in the chamber, out the exhaust port and down the pipes begins at the plugs - so regardless of other percieved indicators, the plugs tell the story.

just curious as to how you are doing a plug chop? there's a right and wrong way and I'm not sure what experience level you're at

This link say's your bikes exhaust is reaching a certain temp. You can cool them off by rejetting though the bike might run rich. Your plugs tell the tale and they seem to be burning well. He also say's running high octane fuel will do it also. My headers are very blue but I run 120 gas in my bike. I also like the look as my bike is a very dark metalic blue.

www.nationaltbucketalliance.com

Post edited by: steell, at: 2007/04/14 21:31

Thanks everyone!
to address everyithing as well as I can remember:
1. The pics are mostly old with the exception of the trip pics (basically anything minus the flyscreen is whe I first bought it). the pipes were blue then, sorta seemed to get bluer, but now I am questioning that

2. I haven't done a plug chop. I've been told for decades that mixed use (as I mentioned in my first post) is a better indicator.

I was using this to decide if it'd be safe to make a 700 mi Texas Hill Country trip. It was, because I just got back.


again Thanks! I suppose all is well apart from a little discoloring.