Beowulf Rad Guard

[Old Dog]

I posted earlier about these radiator guards that were being sold on e-bay and decided to try one. Well today it showed up (took a little over a week to come from the UK to the west coast) And for once something I bought was right on the money. Took about two minutes to install and (I think) looks great.

Here's the link again if interested.

https://cgi.ebay.com/YAMAHA-FJR1300-RADIATO...1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[Thug]

Looks like a nice bit of gear! Is it heavy? and stainless?

 

[Old Dog]

Let's just say that it's sturdy but not really heavy. And it is stainless. I'll try and get some pics posted whenever I can get some on a website.

 

[meosborn]

Mine's still on it's way. Good to hear that you like it.

 

[Old Dog]

Here's some pics of the radiator guard.

https://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b243/oscardog/Pict0001.jpg

https://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b243/oscardog/Pict0003.jpg

https://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b243/oscardog/Pict0004.jpg

https://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b243/oscardog/Pict0002.jpg

I'm new at posting pics. How do you get them to show up in the post without linking to them?

 

[BrunDog]

Like this:

Just hit the IMG button and put picture URL in.

-BD

 

[Getsum]

Damn that looks great. Do you think you can watch your engine temp and post if it seems to run hotter at all? Someone at work mentioned some of those guards might partially block airflow and cause higher temps, he rides a bmw so it might be a bmw issue.

 

[Old Dog]

Thanks for the info on the pics. I just got going on them yesterday and I was in a hurry.

As for keeping an eye on the temps, You bet your butt I will. I'm working nights this week so the only time I've ridden it was late at night and early in the A.M. I'll let you know if anything unusual occurs. Thanks also for the positive remarks.

 

[BBIII]

I just added this farkle on Tuesday. Looking at your pictures I think that mine didn't fit as well. I had to bend the bottom connector so the bottom of the protector sticks out about 1/8 inch from the radiator. Nobody can tell except me, but I am concerned about rocks and $hit getting up under there.

I have been working nights and on the ride in from Cameron Park to Folsom it is close to 100 degrees with no noticable increase in engine temperature.

This really is the only acceptable "bling" I have added to my FJR. I've only had it for 35 days and it has about 10 farkles on it, I'm almost done, just waiting for the GPS I won on ebay.

 

[meosborn]

That looks great!! I got mine yesterday and was planning to put it on this morning. Then I looked at my radiator. :scare: That's going to take some work before I put the guard on. 24k miles with no guard has taken it's toll. No damage that can't be corrected but there are a lot of fins that need to be straightened and a whole lot of bug corpses and small pebbles to be removed.

 

[Rogue]

Looks good, And so does that 82' GS1100E!

 

[Old Dog]

Ok, Time for an update on airflow blockage with new Rad guard. As I said earlier, All week I worked nights so all my riding was done in 50-70 temps... no change and didn't expect any. Always showed 2 bars while moving. Now today was in the mid to upper 80's and all that I noticed was that when sitting at idle in traffic the temp would go to 3 bars and take about a mile more of steady 40+ mph to go back to 2 bars. So overall it just raised the water temp enough to hit 3 bars more often and stay there a little longer. I never saw 4 bars at all which is odd because I've seen 4 bars on similar days. Maybe it's just my motor getting broke in more... ? And to top it off , my riding buddy noticed it right off and and drooled all over it and wants one for his ST1300... Bad news, they don't make'em for those.

And thanks to Rogue for the compliment on my dear old 1100EZ. I've had my baby since new and I doubt I'll ever sell her. The funny thing is that after getting my FJR and riding it I can't hardly ride the Suzuki. The handling is terrible compared to the Feejer. I had never ridden a modern sport bike until the FJR and now I'm spoiled.

 

[Claymore]

That is sick!!!!

One look and I had to have one.

This forum is costing me money, but so what, farkling sure is fun!

Lets see now, the tally so far is :

Throttlemeister and throttle rocker

R&G Frame Sliders (yes I cut a hole in the fairing, and survived...)

BMW grips

CB +4+4 Windscreen (much quieter - jury still out on the downdraft)

Carbtune II

Formotion Thermometer (this is cool, will send pics if anyone is interested)

Oxford Seat pack (fits on rear seat - also very cool - till the Corbin Smuggler arrives)

And now, the Beowulf Rad Guard...

When will the madness end? :dribble:

Never, I hope - as soon as I got my last bike perfect (a '99 Virago 1100) I sold it to get this beast...

 

[B8mn1]

Okay, It's BueTeeFul!!! What was the total cost with shipping to the US??

:blink:

Thanks,

Ben

 

[Old Dog]

It ran me $104.00 total at the then current exchange rate. Might be a little higher or lower now. Granted, it's more expensive than some of the more local stuff but I thought it was worth it after seeing it and having it practically jump into position by itself. I think shipping was around $12.00 if not mistaken. Thanks for the compliment also. I bought mine thru a PayPal account and the transaction was almost intantaneous. About twelve hours after I ordered I recieved an e-mail stating that it had been shipped. Can't beat it in my opinion.

 

[broodwich]

Just added this one to my wish list as well. How does it attach to the radiator?

 

[Geezer]

Very nice looking guard. Probably add one to my whish list.

BTW, how do you keep your garage so clean?

 

[Old Dog]

Just added this one to my wish list as well. How does it attach to the radiator?

Installation was super simple. The guard has a lip at the top about a foot long as best as I can remember, and it just slips over the ridge on the top of the radiator and then just use the bolt that's at the bottom center of radiator. I did have to bend the tang on the guard a touch just get the holes to line up. I've had no over heating issues after a thousand or so miles. Those of you living in hot climates will notice a temp increase probably. I'm in NW Oregon so I don't worry about overheating too much.

 

[Old Dog]

Very nice looking guard. Probably add one to my whish list.
BTW, how do you keep your garage so clean? 

Thanks!

As for my garage... Everything just happens to be in it's place for once.