Using rad fans and special coolant on trail/enduro bikes?

[crs]

As I've got an LC bike coming, was thinking about over heating problems... Anybody bother mounting rad fans (like 12v pc case fans) or running stuff like Engine Ice ?

 

[johnnysneds]

http://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/bike-talk/1650-pull-fan.html

i also use Motul Motocool pre mix (locally available- Kwaker dealer)

 

[KTMphil]

As I've got an LC bike coming, was thinking about over heating problems... Anybody bother mounting rad fans (like 12v pc case fans) or running stuff like Engine Ice ?

Fan makes a HUGE difference here. There is no magic coolant that will cool a hot running bike, there are coolants that have a higher latent heat of vaporization / change of state (boil at a higher temperature) that might help solve a minor overheating problem and not spit coolant.

 

[bigntall]

Chris if you can get a fan mounted that will be well worthwhile. Another good thing to have installed is a coolant recovery tank. Basically a reservoir that catches any coolant spewed out of the radiator when the coolant boils and then allows the vacuum, once the coolant cools, to be sucked back into the radiator. After all, you only have to lose a couple ounces of coolant and you'll be running hot for the rest of the day until you can top off the radiator. The overflow tank keeps this problem in check. You can make one out of pretty much anything. Here's one I fashioned out of a brake fluid container that bolted to a cars brake master cylinder, cost about 80 bht. Just make sure your container is vented to allow the coolant to be sucked back into the radiator when cooled down.

It's the white cylindrical container next to the GPS. One of these and a pull fan on the back of the rads should do wonders for you in keeping things running well.

 

[jschueppi]

Dc Axial Motor Fan modules 12V | Spal Italy best aftermarket fans sealed electric engine have a look.

 

[crs]

http://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/bike-talk/1650-pull-fan.html

i also use Motul Motocool pre mix (locally available- Kwaker dealer)

That's the sort of thing I was thinking. Nice one - can copy that.

 

[crs]

Chris if you can get a fan mounted that will be well worthwhile. Another good thing to have installed is a coolant recovery tank. Basically a reservoir that catches any coolant spewed out of the radiator when the coolant boils and then allows the vacuum, once the coolant cools, to be sucked back into the radiator. After all, you only have to lose a couple ounces of coolant and you'll be running hot for the rest of the day until you can top off the radiator. The overflow tank keeps this problem in check. You can make one out of pretty much anything. Here's one I fashioned out of a brake fluid container that bolted to a cars brake master cylinder, cost about 80 bht. Just make sure your container is vented to allow the coolant to be sucked back into the radiator when cooled down. It's the white cylindrical container next to the GPS. One of these and a pull fan on the back of the rads should do wonders for you in keeping things running well.

Yes, good to have. How did you rig it onto the rad cap? Cheers.

 

[Loop]

I`ve heard of the computer fans lasting anything from a few days to Johnny`s year and more. They are fairly open to water being dumped in them.

I went with a KLX 250 unit on mine with a manual on/off switch and it works a treat.

 

[johnnysneds]

I`ve heard of the computer fans lasting anything from a few days to Johnny`s year and more. They are fairly open to water being dumped in them.

I went with a KLX 250 unit on mine with a manual on/off switch and it works a treat.

how much did Kawa charge you for that?

 

[Loop]

^ i got a slightly used one locally for a coupla k.

 

[crs]

Chris if you can get a fan mounted that will be well worthwhile. Another good thing to have installed is a coolant recovery tank. Basically a reservoir that catches any coolant spewed out of the radiator when the coolant boils and then allows the vacuum, once the coolant cools, to be sucked back into the radiator. After all, you only have to lose a couple ounces of coolant and you'll be running hot for the rest of the day until you can top off the radiator. The overflow tank keeps this problem in check. You can make one out of pretty much anything. Here's one I fashioned out of a brake fluid container that bolted to a cars brake master cylinder, cost about 80 bht. Just make sure your container is vented to allow the coolant to be sucked back into the radiator when cooled down. It's the white cylindrical container next to the GPS. One of these and a pull fan on the back of the rads should do wonders for you in keeping things running well.

Paul has got one of these spare, so having that of him. Which is handy...

Coolant Recovery Tank | Motion Pro

 

[bigntall]

Paul has got one of these spare, so having that of him. Which is handy...

Coolant Recovery Tank | Motion Pro

Getting all posh on us now eh? I'm assuming your bike has a small 1/4" tube coming out of the top of the radiator near the cap. Simply route that line into the bottom of the brake master cylinder container. Or on the Motion Pro its the side nipple, not the nipple end on top of the bottle. Best of luck.

 

[LUFC]

Paul has got one of these spare, so having that of him. Which is handy...

Coolant Recovery Tank | Motion Pro

These tanks are shite! I used for about a year and had constant problems with the hose coming off the bottle. I also have a spare and it will not be going on any of my bikes.

They are also not very easy to put on the bike, space is a major issue - mine was in the airbox and was difficult to get the air filter on / off as a result.

I would just go with the fan and forget about the MP tank.

 

[crs]

Figured only rads fitted to bikes with an expansion tank would have an overflow pipe - but maybe it has a blocked one.

Will have a look at the Motion Pro kit and see... In the instructions it says to fit it on the fork behind the headlight - but won't know where it'd work without matching it up.

Ta for the tips.

 

[KTMphil]

These tanks are shite! I used for about a year and had constant problems with the hose coming off the bottle. I also have a spare and it will not be going on any of my bikes.

They are also not very easy to put on the bike, space is a major issue - mine was in the airbox and was difficult to get the air filter on / off as a result.

I would just go with the fan and forget about the MP tank.

Agreed - the expansion tank has been nothing but headaches, i'm getting a fan