Saddle bags melted on exhaust

[Inaki]

Hello everyone:

The bottom of my left soft saddlebag (nylon and plastic) got too close to the exhaust pipe and it melted on it. Does anyone know how to remove the residue. Thanks and happy riding.

[towerworker]

I have used WD 40 before with pretty good results. Most petroleum based solvents work pretty well. Use rubber gloves if possible as the stuff is hell on your hands.

Might also try using the "scrubber" style of kitchen sponge (sponge on one side and scotchbrite on the back) with the solvent. Seems to help.

Wayne

[rdsmith3]

I had success with Xylene or Tuolene, but these are very powerful chemicals. Be careful.

[Beemeridian]

678

[rdsmith3]

Fortunately I tested a small area underneath before I used the green scrubee pad on the rest of the muffler, because it scratched the chrome.

I think it is stainless steel, but you don't want to use anything abrasive on the muffler. This is a job for chemicals.

[switz]

Any of the petro based chemicals mentioned above need to be used outside! I have had chemical pneumonia from that stuff in the past.

Another useful product (used outside) is good old oven cleaner. Just let it sit for awhile and clean off. It will take several applications if the stuff on the pipe is in a thick layer. From personal experience, any abrasive wiper (scotch brite etc) will scratch the pipes. I bought a bundle of "shop" rags at Costco and discard them in a sealed bag as they become saturated during the clean up process.

My pet peeve are the boot companies using plastic in the boot heels that melts to the pipes on some bikes. Nuts!

On my H-Ds (they are now all FLH frames with the same exhaust setup), I will have to make/buy a rail for the inside of the right floor board to prevent the heel of the boot from melting (again) on the front cylinder exhaust pipe.

[Inaki]

After testing a few things, I was able to successfully remove the whole thing with a very sharp blade when cold with lots of patience and then using metal polish. Looks like new.

Thanks all for your kind replies. Happy riding!!!! Inaki