Hi all, I bought my 1990 GS500E about a month ago.  I had already been reading this forum after initally finding the bike and wasn't too worried about the rust on the pipes as I could repaint them.  However now that I'm struggling to strip the rust/paint I'm noticing that its pitted pretty badly in some areas.  Are there any tricks to getting into the pits, or is there a point where I shoud consider it lost?  Also, how the heck do you guys keep the pipes from wanting to move all around while working it with the drill?  Thanks a lot guys and I love the website/forum!

Hold on tight! Working on the exhaust with a wheel drill attachment is always fun. Just so the best you can really...

You could always go the sandblasting route... I believe you can still pick up "home sand blasting kits" from some hardware stores, if you have access to a decent compressor. And you can deal with the mess.  Sandblasting won't have any problems cleaning out those pits.

However if it's pitted too badly, sandblasting may just leave you with full on holes. You've just got to make a judgement call as to weather or not it's too far gone.

Have you considered using a vice or a B&D Workmate to hold the exhaust?   

Have an Air Compressor? Strip it with 3M Roloc Discs and an Air Die Grinder.It won't take long.You may go thru Several discs but it will clean out the Pits and Level the Surface a Bit to help Hide the Pits.When you repaint it go with some Plasticote Header Paint that contains Silicone or Duplicolor High Heat with Ceramic.

  Thanks a lot for the suggestions guys!  I've got the first coat of paint on now, just hoping the garage stays up to temp.  It'll be nice having a little break while it dries.  I had my first great moment in GS maintainence once I felt I had gone as far as I could with the stripping wheel (Wheel... Of... Stripping!!!!!).  The pitted areas still had a little rust in the pits but once I hit it with the acetone all the rust came right out!  I waited until all the acetone evaporated off before passing judgement, but once it did the rust was definitely gone!

  I'm pretty certain the fact that the bike came with a V&H full exhaust on it made the stripping part much more difficult.  When I compare my exhaust with pics of the stock, mine has a many more tight spots that I just couldn't get the wheel into and had to resort to hand power.  As soon as I have the opportunity I want to take the exhaust in to have it
properly sand blasted clean, just have to find a local place that can do it.

  Speaking of local, added myself to the GSTwin rider map.  We seem to be lacking in representation around south Jersey/Philadelphia, people around here need to get with the program!   Thanks again for the suggestions, gonna try to wash up a bit now before I dirty myself again.