Radiator fin Comb or Brush

[hppants]

Before my recent trip, I flushed my radiator with copius (er... big amounts) of garden hose water. Then I blew the radiator dry with compressed air. Over the trip, I noticed my temperature was slightly higher than normal. Fan still kicks on at 4 bars and kicks off at 3 bars. But it got to 4 bars quicker than normal. At a stop, I glanced over the system more closely and I now see the problem. The air has laid over the cooling fins and they are not able to radiate the heat as effectively.

I wonder if there is somekind of comb or brush that I can buy to straighten them out?

 

[Ignacio]

Then I blew the radiator dry with compressed air.

There's the cautionary tale. Don't do that. Nobody has ever reported a radiator issue because they didn't clean or blow dry their radiator.

Damage done...I would get in with a small screwdriver and gently work back whatever I bent or maybe consider what I just Googled at Harbor Freight.

 

[TomInPA]

One of the first things I did on the FJR was to add a radiator guard. It seems they are prone to getting holed by rocks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwzwboqN5Cw

 

[steve'o']

One of the first things I did on the FJR was to add a radiator guard. It seems they are prone to getting holed by rocks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwzwboqN5Cw

+1 on that. Cox racing group makes a nice one.

 

[majicmaker]

My Fins are in perfect shape but, Holy Crap! That is a nice little tool to have.

 

[hppants]

Yep - stopping at Harbour Freight on the way home. That's the ticket. Thanks for the tip.

TominCA - you are correct - I couldn't leave well enough along - lesson learned.

My 70-year old father recently told me that... "Life is kind of funny. By the time you figure it out, it's almost over..."

 

[hppants]

Quick update - I picked up the radiator comb from H/F last night. Tried it on a section of the radiator and it works wonderfully!!! I'm stoked. On Saturday, I'll comb the whole thing more carefully and give it a try.

Now let's see ... what could I do on Saturday to really test the cooling system on my bike....

 

[Fly Bye]

Quick update - I picked up the radiator comb from H/F last night. Tried it on a section of the radiator and it works wonderfully!!! I'm stoked. On Saturday, I'll comb the whole thing more carefully and give it a try.

Now let's see ... what could I do on Saturday to really test the cooling system on my bike....

I love a happy ending, I guess I'll have to get this radiator comb as well.

The weather report for your neck of the woods reads a high of 95 and a low of 72.

Have a great "cool" ride.

Oh yeah, a safe one as well.

 

[BikerGeek99]

On Saturday, I'll comb the whole thing more carefully and give it a try.

Oh, man.... Why - WHY - isn't it Friday. This is a perfect dog pile in the making...

 

[ehc0720]

I use one of those cans of air, made for cleaning out your computer keyboard, to blow dirt out if the radiator after gently running the hose on it. Alot less pressure than using shop compressed air.

 

[SkooterG]

I use one of those cans of air, made for cleaning out your computer keyboard, to blow dirt out if the radiator after gently running the hose on it. Alot less pressure than using shop compressed air.

I've never used anything at all?

 

[hppants]

Skooter - you and I are fishing in the same hole. I've learned my lesson. From now one, if by some chance I find myself riding through the 17 year secada re-incarnation, I'll just use my fin comb to manually remove the little protein snacks and rinse gently with the garden hose.

The bigger lesson for me is accept the fact that the FJR is an extremely reliable machine. If it ain't broke, and I get bored itching for something to do with the bike, gear up and go ride the friggin thing.

 

[Fly Bye]

So, I stop at H/B to pick one up and they look at me like I am from another planet. <_<

 

[hppants]

:dntknw:

Mine had it in stock - 5 bucks just like the website.

 

[Bugman]

New info for an old thread:

Ask for a Radiator Fin Straightener Pittsburgh Automotive - item #69024 at Harbor Freight. Its $5.99

One of the easiest ways to make sure your engine runs cool.

Straighten damaged fins and remove debris without danger of puncture

Can be used on oil coolers and air conditioner condensors

Works on most makes and models of vehicles on the road today, with spacings of 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, and 15 fins per inch

note: I did not want to ask a question for a topic already discussed so I Googled this up but the link providing an answer in an earlier post was busted. That's why I'm updating this old thread.

 

[Bustanut joker]

Deleted.. damned double post. Curse you charter internet.

 

[Bustanut joker]

On Saturday, I'll comb the whole thing more carefully and give it a try.

Oh, man.... Why - WHY - isn't it Friday. This is a perfect dog pile in the making...

Yep.. Considering it's only been a couple months...Bent Radiator Fins

Oh well..

 

[beemerdons]

Deleted.. damned double post. Curse you charter internet.

Busty Boy, why don't you just loan hppants the comb that you use to brush out your Gerbils? That would work perfectly and you would be so helpful, Ya Fecking *******!

 

[RadioHowie]

Deleted.. damned double post. Curse you charter internet.

Grandma Howie always said "...it's a cheezdicked burro fecker who blames his tools...or his ISP!"

Grandma Howie was REALLY tech-savvy!