Author Topic: >104K miles, blah @ "radiator protection" (Read 10861 times)

4Bikes · « **Reply #25 on:** July 07, 2016, 09:02:30 pm »

I'll need to post a photo. My radiator doesn't look all that much different than Steve's and I run with a radiator guard. I removed and cleaned the radiator during the last valve check at 40k miles and was a bit shocked by how much imbedded gravel, tar, and dented fins I had.

I have since also added a fender extender.

MAN OF BLUES · « **Reply #26 on:** July 07, 2016, 10:53:17 pm »

Quote from: 4Bikes on July 07, 2016, 09:02:30 pm

I'll need to post a photo. My radiator doesn't look all that much different than Steve's and I run with a radiator guard. I removed and cleaned the radiator during the last valve check at 40k miles and was a bit shocked by how much imbedded gravel, tar, and dented fins I had. I have since also added a fender extender.

I just took a look at mine, on my '08... looks fine, but I've had a Murphs fenda extenda on it since I bought the bike... sooooo
I find the extenda more effecient in protection, as I'm sure some small debris could slip thru the grillwork on the screen only thang..
Ymmv

stevewfl · « **Reply #27 on:** July 07, 2016, 11:06:33 pm »

I'm at 115,000 miles with no plans to add any protection. Maybe I'm still jinxing myself

jdegraff · « **Reply #28 on:** July 08, 2016, 12:27:28 pm »

On my second C14 and no guard. Insurance is a scam BTW.

4Bikes · « **Reply #29 on:** July 08, 2016, 01:09:50 pm »

Quote from: jdegraff on July 08, 2016, 12:27:28 pm

Insurance is a scam BTW.

Arabian Red · « **Reply #30 on:** July 08, 2016, 05:08:28 pm »

I have had my radiator guard on since the bike was new and recently had a tire tread (AKA Road Gator) get kicked up in front of me on the freeway and the end of it curled into my radiator. The guard took the brunt of the damage saving my radiator. The money I have spent on now two guards is way less than the cost or replacing the part they were protecting. Just saying.

4Bikes · « **Reply #31 on:** July 08, 2016, 05:45:28 pm »

Why are those road gators legal anyway? The truckers save a few bucks on a re-tread only to spew 5-30 lb chunks of rubber all over the road? Coming home from the National I jumped on I-75/I-71 to get past Cincinnati. There was a low boy trailer hurling these chunks everywhere and lots of swerving going on. If you hit one of those riding the motorcycle it could be deadly. Myth Busters confirmed that a road gator can knock someone's head off as in de-capitation. Again, on Monday, jumped on a the slab for a time and a full sized gator was curled up on the road. If I wasn't paying attention it would be deadly. The AMA lobby needs to take on the truckers lobby on this issue. Sorry for the thread jack.

flashback50 · « **Reply #32 on:** July 12, 2016, 12:47:15 am »

Quote from: 4Bikes on July 08, 2016, 05:45:28 pm

Why are those road gators legal anyway? The truckers save a few bucks on a re-tread only to spew 5-30 lb chunks of rubber all over the road? Coming home from the National I jumped on I-75/I-71 to get past Cincinnati. There was a low boy trailer hurling these chunks everywhere and lots of swerving going on. If you hit one of those riding the motorcycle it could be deadly. Myth Busters confirmed that a road gator can knock someone's head off as in de-capitation. Again, on Monday, jumped on a the slab for a time and a full sized gator was curled up on the road. If I wasn't paying attention it would be deadly. The AMA lobby needs to take on the truckers lobby on this issue. Sorry for the thread jack.

Just too clarify things, those road gators are parts of just as many virgin tires as they are retreads. Most are caused when tire pressures are too low and that coupled with extreme hot weather causes the tires to explode from over heating due to sidewall flex from under inflation. Actually one state and I can't remember which one now did a test a few years ago and found that most of these road gators were from virgin tires and not caps. Recaps are fine if kept properly inflated but problem is most company drivers do a lot of drop and hook loads and if they check tires at all and the tire has any air in it they just roll with it. I check my tires regularly and run from TN. to AZ. and back every week with no issues, but I do see a lot of tire failures for sure from other vehicles.

4Bikes · « **Reply #33 on:** July 12, 2016, 09:51:57 am »

Thanks for the clarification. Sounds like the truckers need a mandatory TPMS, or be more like you and take more care in what they are doing. Those gators are everywhere and certainly a hazard.

sc · « **Reply #34 on:** July 12, 2016, 12:34:27 pm »

Just over 26k miles and I got a hole in mine, very tiny but I was able to repair it with a brazing rod. The price I got for a new rad was $863,i still cant figure out why it is so expensive as it isn't much bigger than the $250 unit on my ATV. Not sure if I will go with a extender or rad guard, which one actually works better?

As for the road gators, they aren't all retreads. I had a 1 year old trailer tire separate like it was nobodys business, goodyear marathon.

Shoe · « **Reply #35 on:** July 12, 2016, 01:19:44 pm »

........................
Just too clarify things, those road gators are parts of just as many virgin tires as they are retreads. Most are caused when tire pressures are too low and that coupled with extreme hot weather causes the tires to explode from over heating due to sidewall flex from under inflation. Actually one state and I can't remember which one now did a test a few years ago and found that most of these road gators were from virgin tires and not caps. Recaps are fine if kept properly inflated but problem is most company drivers do a lot of drop and hook loads and if they check tires at all and the tire has any air in it they just roll with it. I check my tires regularly and run from TN. to AZ. and back every week with no issues, but I do see a lot of tire failures for sure from other vehicles.
[/quote]

I thought the tires used on the big rigs were especially made to be recapped and that problems with decapping occurred with non recapable tires. Either way I am more concerned with loss of my life. Radiators are cheap in comparison.

TimR · « **Reply #36 on:** July 12, 2016, 11:33:51 pm »

I look at having a radiator guard sorts like buying a fan belt when the old one looks ratty. Once you buy the replacement fan belt the old one won't break. Ever.

flashback50 · « **Reply #37 on:** July 13, 2016, 12:50:23 am »

Quote from: 4Bikes on July 12, 2016, 09:51:57 am

Thanks for the clarification. Sounds like the truckers need a mandatory TPMS, or be more like you and take more care in what they are doing. Those gators are everywhere and certainly a hazard.

I agree but the biggest problem is that there aren't many of us old time real truckers left.. The new breed of truckers are only attracted to trucking because most are fat and lazy and think trucking will be an easy job. They really don't have a clue what being a "trucker" is all about.

Tagara · « **Reply #38 on:** July 22, 2016, 08:32:47 pm »

why not just re route the radiator on top of the luggage rack..doubt much will hit it and you can have a heater for the rear passenger when it gets cold.

stevewfl · « **Reply #39 on:** July 30, 2016, 05:40:39 pm »

That's funny

TLR · « **Reply #40 on:** July 31, 2016, 08:57:00 pm »

Nice pics, there, Stevewfl. But that doesn't look like the Southeast!

stevewfl · « **Reply #41 on:** August 01, 2016, 11:47:53 am »

Quote from: TLR on July 31, 2016, 08:57:00 pm

Nice pics, there, Stevewfl. But that doesn't look like the Southeast!

Thanks

Yes sir, I don't just ride around the Southeast, gotta' let that C14 run

TimR · « **Reply #42 on:** August 01, 2016, 03:52:40 pm »

Quote from: TLR on July 31, 2016, 08:57:00 pm

Nice pics, there, Stevewfl. But that doesn't look like the Southeast!

Not enough bugs on the radiator fins either.

stevewfl · « **Reply #43 on:** August 01, 2016, 09:45:07 pm »

there were no flying bugs in the desert to run into. OMG its got the bugs on it here in FL. I should go take a pic

TimR · « **Reply #44 on:** August 02, 2016, 12:26:43 am »

I thought it WAS a picture of your radiator in FL. But now since you have the flash, you know you'll be blow'in bugs, rocks and other debris through the radiator.

Fais · « **Reply #45 on:** August 02, 2016, 12:47:52 am »

11,000 miles and going

stevewfl · « **Reply #46 on:** August 02, 2016, 01:22:44 am »

Nice!

Sailor_chic · « **Reply #47 on:** August 02, 2016, 02:35:04 pm »

Quote from: Fais on August 02, 2016, 12:47:52 am

11,000 miles and going

Amazing!

Dirtwiz · « **Reply #48 on:** August 06, 2016, 02:57:49 am »

I wouldn't be caught dead running a "House Blend" flap......Columbian only for me.

Rock · « **Reply #49 on:** August 07, 2016, 01:35:45 am »

Fais,

Great job on the fender extender. I did a home made one for my rear. No pic, but, it came from a Rubbermaide storage container lid. Two hours' work, paint and screwed into stock fender.
Frugal!

Phil