KX Riders
General => In General... => Topic started by: ecdeyzel on March 27, 2016, 07:45:53 AM
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Hey guys. I am curious. What was the purpose of the vented number plates guys ran in the 90s? Increase air flow to the rads? Why did they fade out?
Ed
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I don't remember seeing too many in the '90s....they were big in the '80s.
they did provide some x-tra cooling....and there was a "cool factor" about having them too.
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assuming you're talking about one's like this?
(http://vintageworksbikes.com/images/Restored_KX_125_South_Africa.jpg)
(http://vintageworksbikes.com/sitebuilder/images/2015-07_034-426x600.jpg)
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I don't remember seeing too many in the '90s....they were big in the '80s.
they did provide some x-tra cooling....and there was a "cool factor" about having them too.
Thanks for the info Fox. Had no idea people ran them in the 80s too. The ones I've seen mostly look like this.
(http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0212/0952/products/39_1024x1024_1_1024x1024.jpg?v=1368290832)
They look horrible IMO.
I found this piece of info on another site. Interesting test PC has done, but wonder just how much it improved anything. Glad to just know now, it's weird how these small things sit in my mind sometimes.
"FRONT NUMBER PLATES: AIR FOILS AND THE DRAFT
Team SplitFire took their bikes to a race car aerodynamacist to have them analyzed. The first thing he told them was to get rid of the front number plate. The car designer said that the broad curved shape of the front number plate created an air foil that decreased the amount of air going into the radiators by 30 percent (much like the windshield on a convertible creates a back draft that blows your hair forward instead of backward). Pro Circuit/SplitFire team manager Mitch Payton had a wire mesh front number plate designed the next day.
What else did the aerodynamics expert say? Shockingly, he said that with the rider on the bike, the exit vents on the radiators are inefficient. Even if you scoop more air into the radiator wings, it will not cool the engine one iota more if it can’t escape. To get more air in, you have to draw more air out. The car guy recommended air scoops, tubes and vents—all of which are used on race cars and road racers—but will not fit on a motocross bike. Team SplitFire is looking at enlarging the exit vents on its radiator wings."
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cool write up.
I also remember reading years ago, that some of the Kawie guys used to make 1/2" - 3/4" spacers too, to push the shrouds outward a little further, to scoop more air.
I never had one of the vented plates....I don't care for that one you posted either, but the one on the Cagiva I posted with the full screen, I don't mind.
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Have seen at GP tanks aluminium tubes that went from head tube to airbox like a mx version Air ram.
Dutchie
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Have seen at GP tanks aluminium tubes that went from head tube to airbox like a mx version Air ram.
Dutchie
yup...the Yama's had something like that built into the tanks 8-)....
(http://vintageworksbikes.com/sitebuilder/images/VMX_058-910x613.jpg)
(http://vintageworksbikes.com/sitebuilder/images/VMX_057-903x609.jpg)
(http://vintageworksbikes.com/sitebuilder/images/IMG_5818-905x686.jpg)
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Damm Foxx, A picture says more than a 1000 words :-D
Dutchie
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Damm Foxx, A picture says more than a 1000 words :-D
Dutchie
the funny thing is, I was just looking at those pics two days ago...and then you just happened to mention it. :lol:...worked out well!
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I have a aluminium tank on my DRZ and have been thinking about doing something like that as well. Truely 1000 words from that picture. Thanks guys!
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Thanks for all the feedback guys.
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Thanks for all the feedback guys.
no problem Ed...
what are plans?...are you lookin to buy a new # plate?
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Damm Foxx, A picture says more than a 1000 words :-D
Dutchie
the funny thing is, I was just looking at those pics two days ago...and then you just happened to mention it. :lol:...worked out well!
Perfect TEAM WORK :mrgreen:
Dutchie
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Thanks for all the feedback guys.
no problem Ed...
what are plans?...are you lookin to buy a new # plate?
Nah, I got a new one already. I was just curious about them and what the point was because it seemed like rads and shrouds are designed well in itself for airflow, so I thought it was some trend the dirtbike world went through. I think if I wanted my rads to get more airflow i just wont run a number plate at all.