KX Riders

Maintenance & Technical => KX250 / KX125 => Topic started by: dinkyguitar on February 23, 2015, 12:05:04 AM

Title: So I bought these GPI Radiators and they don't fit...
Post by: dinkyguitar on February 23, 2015, 12:05:04 AM
Hi All,

So I bought these GRI radiators off flee bay and they don't fit  :-( .

Just 1 mount on each radiator lines up, the rest are 1/2" off, and the bottom of the left radiator needs a 1/2" spacer.

The mounts on the top of the radiators need to be pushed back because the top hose that connects the 2 radiators hits the gas tank.

The radiators seem to be good quality, but I'm just bummed I need to "do more custom work" to make them fit.

I can probably fill in the mounting holes with aluminoid welding stick and redrill the holes, or make little brackets that attach to the frame and then to the radiators.

What would you do?

Funny thing is the add says 14 day money back, but buyer pays shipping.....why should I pay shipping if the product doesn't fit?

dinky,
Title: Re: So I bought these GPI Radiators and they don't fit...
Post by: umberto on February 23, 2015, 12:16:45 AM
You could file a complaint with eBay.  The guy sent a product that is different than what you ordered.  Sellers usually get pretty receptive to free return shipping when you alert eBay to their scams. Or you can threaten negative feedback, or both. If you just didn't like it it would be a different deal, but not fitting the bike is being deceptive.
Title: Re: So I bought these GPI Radiators and they don't fit...
Post by: Foxx4Beaver on February 23, 2015, 12:34:27 AM
So I bought these GRI radiators off flee bay and they don't fit  :-( .

not to add insult to injury...but 90% of the cheap aftermarket rads you can get off e-bay will NOT fit without modifying.
there's tons of posts on here of members having the same problem....most of them, just end up cutting off and relocating the mounts, and they're fine after that.

one of the better places to buy aftermarket rads is Mylers.....he has excellent feedback, and customers say he even goes out of his way to make any corrections a.s.a.p. with fitment issues.
our member ID KX500 can verify Mylers prompt customer service in this thread...
http://www.kxriders.com/forums/index.php/topic,12249.15.html

have a look...

http://www.motorcycleradiators.com/
 
Title: Re: So I bought these GPI Radiators and they don't fit...
Post by: dinkyguitar on February 23, 2015, 01:09:22 AM
Yep...I took a chance.

I've had to fabricate lots of things both for this bike and well as others.

I'm a home owner so you need to be a fabricator.

Just need to decide if I want to return them or make them fit....they look "pretty" on the bike, but I'm bummed about the fit.

dinky,
Title: Re: So I bought these GPI Radiators and they don't fit...
Post by: Foxx4Beaver on February 23, 2015, 01:17:35 AM
I myself would probably go the modifying route....because by the time I was done explaining the fitment issues and taking the time to re-package everything, and get it shipped back to the seller...I could already have them done and installed...and not have to pay any return shipping :-)

 
Title: Re: So I bought these GPI Radiators and they don't fit...
Post by: dinkyguitar on February 23, 2015, 02:29:50 AM
I myself would probably go the modifying route....because by the time I was done explaining the fitment issues and taking the time to re-package everything, and get it shipped back to the seller...I could already have them done and installed...and not have to pay any return shipping :-)

Unfortunately, I'm thinking the same.

dinky,
Title: Re: So I bought these GPI Radiators and they don't fit...
Post by: sandblaster on February 23, 2015, 06:47:03 AM
No need to threaten Seller on eBay or get worked up.
Even if the seller offers No Returns, No warranty... if the item is not as described and you paid with Pay Pal you have up to 6 months to file a claim. That's right, 6 months!!!!
Here's how it currently works.
So you bought an item that is wrong....
Here is how to make it right.
Go to "My eBay" and log in.
Click on Purchase History
Find the bad item and to the right of it click on "More Actions"
When the drop down menu appears, click on "Return this item"
When the new page appears, select "It doesn't match the listing"
Follow the prompts from there.
eBay will allow the seller a few days to resolve the issue.
If they don't to your satisfaction then you can escalate the claim to eBay.
eBay always sides with the buyer especially if they have pics and proof that the seller messed up.

My recommendation is that even if your going to keep the item, start this process and see how the seller responds.
If they are good, they will attempt to make good on their sale by offering to take it back or give you part of your money back.
If not, you can ram it down their throat and eBay will make the seller pay for the return shipping and give you a full refund.
This helps weed out bad sellers on eBay and helps those of us who really do try and do the right thing..
Hope this helps.
Title: Re: So I bought these GPI Radiators and they don't fit...
Post by: dinkyguitar on February 23, 2015, 07:21:31 AM
No need to threaten Seller on eBay or get worked up.
Even if the seller offers No Returns, No warranty... if the item is not as described and you paid with Pay Pal you have up to 6 months to file a claim. That's right, 6 months!!!!
Here's how it currently works.
So you bought an item that is wrong....
Here is how to make it right.
Go to "My eBay" and log in.
Click on Purchase History
Find the bad item and to the right of it click on "More Actions"
When the drop down menu appears, click on "Return this item"
When the new page appears, select "It doesn't match the listing"
Follow the prompts from there.
eBay will allow the seller a few days to resolve the issue.
If they don't to your satisfaction then you can escalate the claim to eBay.
eBay always sides with the buyer especially if they have pics and proof that the seller messed up.

My recommendation is that even if your going to keep the item, start this process and see how the seller responds.
If they are good, they will attempt to make good on their sale by offering to take it back or give you part of your money back.
If not, you can ram it down their throat and eBay will make the seller pay for the return shipping and give you a full refund.
This helps weed out bad sellers on eBay and helps those of us who really do try and do the right thing..
Hope this helps.

Thanks....I'm actually not that upset about it not fitting.

Now a days, everything for me requires some kind of fabrication.

Still deciding....either way it will require work.

dinky,
Title: Re: So I bought these GPI Radiators and they don't fit...
Post by: don46 on February 23, 2015, 09:06:11 AM
I've purchase aftermarket as well and for the most part they are pretty well built, and for the price the hassle of modifying a little isn't that big of a deal. Modifying is half the fun.
Title: Re: So I bought these GPI Radiators and they don't fit...
Post by: shrubitup on February 28, 2015, 09:08:16 AM
No need to threaten Seller on eBay or get worked up.
Even if the seller offers No Returns, No warranty... if the item is not as described and you paid with Pay Pal you have up to 6 months to file a claim. That's right, 6 months!!!!
Here's how it currently works.
So you bought an item that is wrong....
Here is how to make it right.
Go to "My eBay" and log in.
Click on Purchase History
Find the bad item and to the right of it click on "More Actions"
When the drop down menu appears, click on "Return this item"
When the new page appears, select "It doesn't match the listing"
Follow the prompts from there.
eBay will allow the seller a few days to resolve the issue.
If they don't to your satisfaction then you can escalate the claim to eBay.
eBay always sides with the buyer especially if they have pics and proof that the seller messed up.

My recommendation is that even if your going to keep the item, start this process and see how the seller responds.
If they are good, they will attempt to make good on their sale by offering to take it back or give you part of your money back.
If not, you can ram it down their throat and eBay will make the seller pay for the return shipping and give you a full refund.
This helps weed out bad sellers on eBay and helps those of us who really do try and do the right thing..
Hope this helps.

Personally, I would do this. If they can't sell items that fit then they need to leave the marketplace.
Title: Re: So I bought these GPI Radiators and they don't fit...
Post by: LukeG on February 28, 2015, 11:16:19 AM
They seem to be the only ones who are making rads for older KXs. Using eBay as a price guide for rads for my 90 250, the cheapest pair are around $130 and the most expensive are $400. All of the ads are basically worded the same which makes me think they are coming out of the same chinese factory. They probably had a ratty pair of OEM rads to measure off and then there's the question of how good their tooling is to assemble the rads. I have had a similar problem with Falicon adjustable cam sprockets. The timing chain they were using for reference fitted their sprockets beautifully but for the rest of us the teeth were not big enough and the timing chain sat high on the gears. An engine builder in the states brought this to their attention and they revisited their machining setup.
I guess what I am saying is sometimes beggars can't be choosers, although it may not hurt to bring the faults to the sellers attention. When I buy mine I will be curious to see how they fit compared to the originals.
Title: Re: So I bought these GPI Radiators and they don't fit...
Post by: sandblaster on February 28, 2015, 11:38:16 AM
About 4-5 years ago I bought some cheap Chinese rads for my KX500...
They didn't fit at all so I sent them blue prints of where the holes needed to be and how big they were.
They thanked me and kept making rads that didn't fit.
Nice.
Title: Re: So I bought these GPI Radiators and they don't fit...
Post by: queen of spodes on March 01, 2015, 03:57:50 AM
If they can't sell items that don't fit then they need to leave the marketplace.

x2.   Bought some radiators from ebay for my KTM LC4 dual sport.  One of the outlets was welded on at the wrong position, and the hose won't fit it.  They sit on a cabinet in my shop right now.

It shouldn't be enough just to be able to make something and then advertise it for sale on Ebay - without first making sure the part actually fits the bike/vehicle specified in the listing.   If Q/A is not up to task, they shouldn't be selling goods in the first place.
Title: Re: So I bought these GPI Radiators and they don't fit...
Post by: dinkyguitar on March 02, 2015, 01:40:08 AM
Well, I got the radiators in.

Not as bad as I thought it would be, but nevertheless, it did require fabrication and some aluminum spacers.

I'll post some pics just in case anyone is interested.

PS, I also got a $20 partial refund for my troubles after complaining and emailing pictures of how their radiators didn't fit, as well as my OEM radiators.

I'm "assuming" they'll fix their radiators to fit better....

dinky,
Title: Re: So I bought these GPI Radiators and they don't fit...
Post by: Foxx4Beaver on March 02, 2015, 01:54:09 AM
Well, I got the radiators in.

I'm "assuming" they'll fix their radiators to fit better....

dinky,

excellent...that's what a lot of guys do cause it's such an easy fix...

and no...they won't fix the fitment issues...I'd be willing to bet your e-mail was deleted before they even finished reading it.
post the e-bay ad where you bought them if you get a chance.
Title: Re: So I bought these GPI Radiators and they don't fit...
Post by: dinkyguitar on March 02, 2015, 02:45:00 AM
So here's the ad:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/GPI-L-R-aluminum-alloy-radiator-Kawasaki-KX250-KX-250-1988-1989-88-89-/281474905636?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&fits=Year%3A1988%7CModel%3AKX250&hash=item4189363624

I don't want to bad mouth the seller because they worked with me but...................

When I emailed them saying they don't fit, they said, sorry, the title says KX 88, 89 and you have an 87 KX 250.

So, I went back to the flee bay ad and they revised the compatibility to "not fit" my 87 right before they emailed me. I could see the date it was revised in the ad. 

I explained that at the time of the ad it says my 87 KX 250 was compatible and they changed it....and if they wanted me, I could easily contact flee bay to verify that. I also emailed them that the part numbers for an 87 KX 250 radiators are the same as the 88 KX 250.

So after sending them the pics, I was issued a refund.

Not sure how things would have went if I wasn't persistent, but the seller did something at least, so I can't complain.

dinky,
Title: Re: So I bought these GPI Radiators and they don't fit...
Post by: sandblaster on March 02, 2015, 02:45:08 AM
and no...they won't fix the fitment issues...I'd be willing to bet your e-mail was deleted before they even finished reading it.


+1
Title: Re: So I bought these GPI Radiators and they don't fit...
Post by: Foxx4Beaver on March 02, 2015, 03:13:32 AM
yeah he's got some negative feedback on poorly fit rads....not too bad, I've seen much worse.
at least he was good enough to give you a partial refund.
Title: Re: So I bought these GPI Radiators and they don't fit...
Post by: dinkyguitar on March 02, 2015, 10:58:21 AM
Yeah, he worked with me, so total cost was $63.

Here's how far off they were.

If you look closely at the mounts, I drew out with marker how much the mounts need to be elongated.

(http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u84/kezard/5_zpsrqulrjbi.jpg)

(http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u84/kezard/3_zpsypykpgbw.jpg)

(http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u84/kezard/2_zpsfvhhgzui.jpg)

(http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u84/kezard/1_zpsrejbqamm.jpg)

And the bottom left mount needed a 1/2" spacer.

(http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u84/kezard/4_zpsdbxsz86u.jpg)

I also had to drill and lower these holes and make another spacer to make the radiator plastics fit correctly.

(http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u84/kezard/rad2_zpsfd112upe.jpg)

Here's after making the slots, I used a spiral upper cut router bit to carefully make the slots.

(http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u84/kezard/rad1_zpsx8qy5gzv.jpg)

I've ordered blue silicone hoses since I don't want to mess up my original hoses, so all went better than expected.

dinky
Title: Re: So I bought these GPI Radiators and they don't fit...
Post by: LukeG on March 02, 2015, 11:10:57 AM
Wow that's poor. I emailed the guy selling 90 model 250 rads for $395 and asked where they were made. China was the answer.
Title: Re: So I bought these GPI Radiators and they don't fit...
Post by: dinkyguitar on March 02, 2015, 11:27:21 AM
All the radiators I saw for my bike looked the same, but different sellers.

At least I thinking they were different sellers, and from China.

But, if you can slot the holes and make them fit, it's worth it.

They look pretty good and all the welds are nice....they just don't fit  :-D.

dinky,
Title: Re: So I bought these GPI Radiators and they don't fit...
Post by: Foxx4Beaver on March 02, 2015, 08:33:14 PM
Yeah, he worked with me, so total cost was $63.

Here's how far off they were.

If you look closely at the mounts, I drew out with marker how much the mounts need to be elongated.

Perfect....good job!...they look great.
Title: Re: So I bought these GPI Radiators and they don't fit...
Post by: LukeG on March 03, 2015, 05:00:06 PM
All the radiators I saw for my bike looked the same, but different sellers.

At least I thinking they were different sellers, and from China.

But, if you can slot the holes and make them fit, it's worth it.

They look pretty good and all the welds are nice....they just don't fit  :-D.

dinky,

I think that's what I'll do. Just depends who I want to get my money!
Title: Re: So I bought these GPI Radiators and they don't fit...
Post by: MXonaKawi on March 05, 2015, 01:05:55 PM
Rule of thumb: Run water through them first before installing on the bike. I found out as I was getting ready for my first ride that there was a leak in my right radiator. It was a pinhole on the weld from the radiator to the spout on my right rad.
Title: Re: So I bought these GPI Radiators and they don't fit...
Post by: dinkyguitar on March 10, 2015, 03:15:38 AM
So they are in, with new blue hoses.

Just have to fill them and attach the plastics, and buy radiator guards.

(http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u84/kezard/rad%20in1_zpsfocsceep.jpg)

(http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u84/kezard/rad%20in%202_zpsw8cloo9c.jpg)

(http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u84/kezard/rad%20in%203_zpsvfv1hi9u.jpg)

(http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u84/kezard/rad%20in%204_zpszf05hg6n.jpg)

dinky
Title: Re: So I bought these GPI Radiators and they don't fit...
Post by: queen of spodes on March 10, 2015, 03:37:42 PM
What color radiator shrouds are you going with?   Gonna run stock (white) louvers?
Title: Re: So I bought these GPI Radiators and they don't fit...
Post by: dinkyguitar on March 11, 2015, 12:14:55 AM
I order a pair of OEM black from partzilla awhile back, but the numb nuts only sent me 1.

Apparently I was the last person on the planet earth to get the last 1 Kawi makes.

So now I'm looking into the natural color pair, which looks kind of like white.

Black was the 87 color, but since the 88 KX 250 shares the same radiator, I now have a choice of green or natural.

dinky,
Title: Re: So I bought these GPI Radiators and they don't fit...
Post by: Foxx4Beaver on March 11, 2015, 03:06:38 AM
I order a pair of OEM black from partzilla awhile back, but the numb nuts only sent me 1.

Apparently I was the last person on the planet earth to get the last 1 Kawi makes.

So now I'm looking into the natural color pair, which looks kind of like white.

Black was the 87 color, but since the 88 KX 250 shares the same radiator, I now have a choice of green or natural.

dinky,

they're on backorder...BUT...that doesn't mean they'll ever be produced again.
If there isn't a high enough demand for them, they'll just go Obsolete/Discontinued.
and yes...black was the color in '87...though Kawie refers to it as Ebony.