Bent Radiator Fins

[Patriot]

I've mentioned my bike running hotter than most, and at this point, I've determined the radiator fins have taking a beating and generally are bent to prevent proper air flow.

In a nutshell, the bike runs 4 bars more often than other bikes, and even will overheat if I run high rpms for an extended period of time.

So my question is what specifically can I do to fix the radiator ????????????

I see there are combs and kits advertised for that purpose, but I dunno about such things.

I might wish, in my case, I had purchased and installed a radiator guard of some kind.

thanx much

Mike

 

[FJRay]

After moving to living on a dirt road and a coulpe heavy hail storms my radiator is less than wonderful. I have used radiator combs on cars and don't see why it wouldn't work just fine on our bike. get one that matches the fins as close as posible and be careful .Letting the coolant out is as expensive as letting the smoke out.

 

[Bustanut joker]

I helped out a buddy awhile back with bent fins his 'Zook Boulevard . Ray is spot on, just find a comb that matches the fins.

Jeepers Mike, with all you've got on that barge I would have thought a rad guard was hidden in there someplace :lol:

 

[NightShine]

If I remember right, the fin spacing on the FJR will require a comb with 20 fins per inch. But on the FJR's radiator, each row of fins is only something like a 1/2 inch high, which is the limit of how far you can drag the comb through the fins in one vertical swipe. Makes applying the comb effectively quite difficult.

 

[bluejag]

Most good plumbing supply houses have the tool you need a single handle with 5 different size plastic combs for different applications. about 15 bucks works great be patient.

 

[RossKean]

Combing the fins certainly shouldn't hurt, but... How is your thermostat? Pretty good chance that's your problem rather than fins (unless they are in really bad shape).

I assume you use pre-mix AF or use distilled/demineralized water to dilute it? AF made for aluminum? Small chance the rad is crudded up inside.

 

[JamesK]

I've mentioned my bike running hotter than most, and at this point, I've determined the radiator fins have taking a beating and generally are bent to prevent proper air flow.

In a nutshell, the bike runs 4 bars more often than other bikes, and even will overheat if I run high rpms for an extended period of time.

So my question is what specifically can I do to fix the radiator ????????????

I see there are combs and kits advertised for that purpose, but I dunno about such things.

I might wish, in my case, I had purchased and installed a radiator guard of some kind.

thanx much

Mike

I imagine you're already running a Fenda-Extender, this made a huge difference on my FJR in keeping the radiator clean.

+1 on the Thermostat suggestion.

 

[weekend rider]

sSounds like you may have a bad thermostat or even a bad radiator cap need to pressure check it also check your water pump flow rate. You just never know what can go bad. Just some ideas for you to toy with./ Hope you get it fixed

 

[Blind Squirrel]

For six bucks, you could give this a try if the fins are bent: https://www.harborfreight.com/radiator-fin-straightener-69024.html