Help! Bag melted onto headers, how do I get it off??

[Pixie]

The bag is probably LDPE or HDPE so solvents won't do shit.
Let it carbonise and use stainless polish.

[vifferman]

If it was me, I'd apply further heat (heat gun, or run the engine again), then use a hardwood stick sanded to an edge to scrape it off. When you've got as much off as possible, use a scotchbrite or other non-metallic scouring pad, then follow up with metal polish.
This is what I did when I had shoe melted onto the link pipe to my muffler on my VTR.

[MikeyG]

I use stainless in treatment plant designs. You have to be careful what you use on it or it will rust.

Don't use any metals on the stainless and don't use a scourer pad/sandpaper disc/grinding wheel that has been used on metal.

After stainless is welded or machined it must be neutralised with nitric acid, this is to remove any traces of other metals left in the stainless from the machining or welding process. If there are even trace amounts of carbon steel left in the stainless then your nice shiny stainless will rust in no time.

Also stainless corrodes in the presence of chlorine so don't use a chlorine based solvent.

[Phurrball]

The bag is probably LDPE or HDPE so solvents won't do shit.
Let it carbonise and use stainless polish.

Hmmm - it's getting a spot carbonised. I have no car ATM (and nor would I use one to commute EVER AGAIN) so the bike is being used several times each day as I have no option but to ride it (Gutting eh? )

Have been picking with fingernails when headers still hot-ish and gradually getting bits off. It's not as bad as I thought.

Thanks for the advice MikeyG - will only use a plastic scourer, a 'Vifferman bit of wood' [viffertool perhaps?], and avoid anything metallic.

(On an aside MikeyG - is the metals/chlorine thing why the insides of some dishwashers rust to buggery? Always wondered...anyhow, as you were...)

Will let y'all know how I get on.

Slightly : Bike is getting a big clean this WE and going in for a new chain and Scottoiler at Motohaus. I wore out the last chain in no time through constant use and neglect. 'Tis a bastard having a sidestand only...with integral engine cut out switch...makes lubing a bastard, bastard job...no excuse I know, but drums up good business for Scottoiler

[stevedee]

sugar cubes mate, trust me.

spd:-)