KX Riders

Maintenance & Technical => KX500 Original => Topic started by: FuriouSly on August 22, 2006, 07:44:16 AM

Title: Radiator Fins need LOVE Too !!!
Post by: FuriouSly on August 22, 2006, 07:44:16 AM

Do your rads look like this or worse?  To increase airfow and better cooling for free, why not take some time and straighten the fins!  I suggest pulling the radiators off of the bike and working on a bench, that way you can easily do both sides of the two rads and change the fluid at the same time!  Any loose fins (broken away on one side or barely hanging on, I just pull off). Figure around an hour per radiator depending on amount of damage.  A wide bladed tweezer (lol, not to scale) is the bomb.  Rad (before and after) off my 00KX5, Sly.

(http://www.kxriders.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10799/normal_00_KX5_Radiator_Finning.jpg)

Title: Re: Radiator Fins need LOVE Too !!!
Post by: demographic on October 09, 2006, 08:21:31 AM

I know its been a while since you posted this but I have just had a go at sorting out one of my rads.

Just sat and gently tweaked it while doing bugger all else.
Quite chuffed with the results, cheers for posting this thread.

regards Scott.

Title: Re: Radiator Fins need LOVE Too !!!
Post by: kx666 on October 09, 2006, 11:25:48 AM

these rakes from eastwood work well for fixng the fins.
 and they do not cost much (vs. the time it takes with pliers)

http://www.eastwoodco.com/jump.jsp?itemID=2071&itemType=PRODUCT

Title: Re: Radiator Fins need LOVE Too !!!
Post by: Johnniespeed on October 09, 2006, 11:28:22 AM

 I have never tried the rake, but I have always taken the time to straighten the fins and have had very good results. This is a good reminder for me to keep at it.

Title: Re: Radiator Fins need LOVE Too !!!
Post by: kx666 on October 09, 2006, 01:08:41 PM

the worst is pulling the exaust off, it is so easy to hit the raidiator with the top mount.

Title: Re: Radiator Fins need LOVE Too !!!
Post by: FuriouSly on October 09, 2006, 01:48:19 PM

Best way to not bang your rad when taking off the pipe is to take off the top anti-vibe bracket with the pipe.  Generally the twisting of the pipe binds it up and then when pulling it off... bam!  Ding in the rad.

The finning tool is a good idea but doesn't work on the little rows of fins on most motorcycles.  Time, patience, and a nice set of wide bladed tweezers are the ticket.  Don't forget to add some water wetter to the rad fluid when rehydrating the beast.

Be cool....  hehe

Sly

Title: Re: Radiator Fins need LOVE Too !!!
Post by: kx666 on October 10, 2006, 10:13:04 AM

I have had very good luck with Engine Ice.

Title: Re: Radiator Fins need LOVE Too !!!
Post by: KXcam22 on October 10, 2006, 01:46:45 PM

My gnarly fits a bit tight so I end up pivoting the rad out of the way so I don't squash the fins. Cam.