My Stupid Burn Accident
So last Tuesday I’m tightening my Harley’s rear brake bolt after lunch. Sweat dripping everywhere in that garage heat. Thought I was done until my wrench slipped BAM right onto the muffler pipe. Heard the sizzle before I felt it – that nasty bacon-on-a-grill sound. Yanked my hand back but too damn late. Had this angry red stripe across three fingers for a week. Couldn’t even hold a beer bottle properly.
That got me thinking – how hot does this metal devil actually get? Grabbed my neighbor’s infrared thermometer gun thingy (the one he uses for checking grill temps). Watched that digital readout like it was the Super Bowl.
Let’s Talk Numbers
Made three test runs around the neighborhood – same route each time:
- First cold start: Piped showed 85°F while warming up. Took forever to climb.
- After 15 mins cruising: Pulled over quick near Old Pete’s diner. Pointed the gun at the header pipes near the engine… 475°F! Nearly dropped the thermometer.
- Full highway speed: Got her screaming at 75mph for exit 22 to exit 25. Nearly burned my eyebrows off leaning near that pipe. 650°F flashing on the screen. Hotter than my oven at max broil!
Why Your Pants Might Catch Fire
Now here’s why this matters more than you’d think:
- Saw melted rubber on my boot where I rested it near the pipe last month. That pipe heat literally ate through half an inch of sole.
- Parked on dry grass once? Forget the cigarette butt – your exhaust alone could start a wildfire. Saw smoke curling up under my bike.
- And get this – last summer my buddy’s coolant hose cracked right where it touched the header. Dripped green fluid everywhere. That heat bakes everything around it like a damn toaster oven.
The Ugly Truth
After measuring, I checked my service manual for the first time in years. Those engineer types actually have warnings about this! They say things like “thermal management” and “heat dissipation.” I call it don’t-be-a-dumbass-like-me rules:
- Never rest your leg on the pipe at stoplights – your jeans won’t save you
- Watch where you park – leaves/plastic bags under there = bad news
- Check wires/hoses near pipes every oil change
Funny how one dumb mistake changes habits. Now I treat that chrome pipe like a lit blowtorch. Still got the scar to remind me every time I twist the throttle.
