Friend of mine has a '85 GSL w/12a carb motor. I know the carb is crap and needs rebuilding, the motor only has 25,000 miles on it, but after riding for awhile the header is starting to glow. What the hell causes that?

 

Glowing headers indicate that you've been driving like a madman or that its really lean, or really rich, or your timing is too retarded, or too advanced. Any one of those means that it's not running right and running lean could really damage the motor. Get the carb tuned up ASAP and check the timing.

It may even be as simple as new plugs.

 

well, ill tell ya i dont know exactly what ur prob is but ill put in my two cents and take it as you want. first of all, go ahead and rebuild the carb yourself, i rebuilt mine with no problem, just take your time. about the header glowing, i do know that rotary exhaust gets very hot, so maybe if the pipe is not think enough it could cause the glow. did u buy the header or make it yourself? i dunno, just something to ponder over....