DarkSideR
Member
Posts: 1793
To be good, and to do good, is all we have to do.
Pueblo, Colorado
|
 |
« on: July 30, 2012, 09:05:36 AM » |
|
I am wondering if anyone has removed the Plastic Shield that sits behind the Radiator Fan? It appears to me as though this plastic shield would only be beneficial when in stop-and-go traffic whereas the fan wouldn't be able to pull hot air from under the engine. However if removed I foresee better cooling for both the radiator and engine at speed. Are my assumptions correct?
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
2001 Valkyrie Super Tourer VRCC#34410 VRCCDS#0263  |
|
|
hubcapsc
Member
Posts: 16788
upstate
South Carolina
|
|
« Reply #1 on: July 30, 2012, 09:20:28 AM » |
|
I am wondering if anyone has removed the Plastic Shield that sits behind the Radiator Fan? It appears to me as though this plastic shield would only be beneficial when in stop-and-go traffic whereas the fan wouldn't be able to pull hot air from under the engine. However if removed I foresee better cooling for both the radiator and engine at speed. Are my assumptions correct?
Hopefully, someone will give you a better answer... I think it needs to be there, and I heard it was hard to take out and put back... -Mike |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
DarkSideR
Member
Posts: 1793
To be good, and to do good, is all we have to do.
Pueblo, Colorado
|
|
« Reply #2 on: July 30, 2012, 09:33:57 AM » |
|
@ Mike, it's not just hard, it's a bear to remove and even harder to put back.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
2001 Valkyrie Super Tourer VRCC#34410 VRCCDS#0263 |
|
|
|
stude31
|
|
« Reply #3 on: July 30, 2012, 09:35:10 AM » |
|
It's easy to take out but curious why as well... I can only think that it helps eliminate vapor lock.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
DarkSideR
Member
Posts: 1793
To be good, and to do good, is all we have to do.
Pueblo, Colorado
|
|
« Reply #4 on: July 30, 2012, 09:52:54 AM » |
|
Here's my thoughts;
- Remove the plastic shield.
* This will allow air to more freely move through the radiator, and engine at speed.
- If the fan pulls air through the radiator
* This will pull cool air from the front of the bike as well as move hot air out from under the engine.
- If the fan is currently pushing air through the radiator the fan will need to be reversed.
* This is an unknown. Anyone know which direction the fan move air?
With that all said, would it make more sense to remove the plastic shield?
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
2001 Valkyrie Super Tourer VRCC#34410 VRCCDS#0263 |
|
|
|
Tx Bohemian
|
|
« Reply #5 on: July 30, 2012, 10:16:53 AM » |
|
The fan pulls air in from the front.
I'm with stude, don't understand why you'd want to remove it.
Why would you want to get more air flow? If you got a cooling issue with the bike you need to look at the cooling system (thermo, pump, hoses, radiator flow/blockage, etc...).
My bike has a neat looking guard/cover on the front of the radiator that, to me, seems to block a lot of air from the radiator but I never had a cooling issue with the bike, even idleing in these 100+ deg Texas summer days.
At times my Harley buddies have to shut off theirs due to the heat, not me.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Remember, if you are on a bike and wreck with a car no matter how "in the right" you are you are going to lose. RIDE LIKE EVERBODY IS OUT TO GET YOU!!
Al
|
|
|
DarkSideR
Member
Posts: 1793
To be good, and to do good, is all we have to do.
Pueblo, Colorado
|
|
« Reply #6 on: July 30, 2012, 10:29:38 AM » |
|
No cooling issues. I was recently servicing the Carbs when I had to remove the plastic shield in question. It just got me thinking what the heck this does, and seemed to me as though air would flow more freely without it there. Only reason I can see for it is to maybe protect the fan from engine heat?
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
2001 Valkyrie Super Tourer VRCC#34410 VRCCDS#0263 |
|
|
MP
Member
Posts: 5532
1997 Std Valkyrie and 2001 red/blk I/S w/sidecar
North Dakota
|
|
« Reply #7 on: July 30, 2012, 10:35:00 AM » |
|
I believe the plastic is there so that the hot air coming thru the radiator is moved out, and away from the engine, and from YOU!
MP
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
 "Ridin' with Cycho" |
|
|
jer0177
Member
Posts: 556
VRCC 32975
Pittsburgh, PA
|
|
« Reply #8 on: July 30, 2012, 10:44:32 AM » |
|
I believe the plastic is there so that the hot air coming thru the radiator is moved out, and away from the engine, and from YOU!
MP
+1. These beasts create a lot of heat and you don't want it cooking you from the legs up. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Chrisj CMA
|
|
« Reply #9 on: July 30, 2012, 10:56:19 AM » |
|
Most of us rarely have the fan come on......so trying to mod the thing so when (so rarely) the fan comes on it cools better is sort of a waste of energy. That thing also keeps a lot of dirt and grime off the carburators which have lots of small moving parts.......gunk them up and see how good they work
|
|
|
|
« Last Edit: July 30, 2012, 12:11:50 PM by Chrisj CMA »
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
GOOSE
Member
Posts: 704
D.S. #: 1643
Southwest Virginia
|
|
« Reply #10 on: July 30, 2012, 11:02:50 AM » |
|
When it's all said, and done, the bottom line here will be this: Mr Tojo Honda spent an incredible amount of time/effort, and study, and the resulting motorcycle is the best there is out there. Leave the plastic alone....it serves a purpose.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
BonS
|
|
« Reply #11 on: July 30, 2012, 02:11:32 PM » |
|
My blown Valk had its plastic air guide removed to accommodate the new placement of the fan that is necessary to accommodate the blower belt. I definitely feel more heat than my I/S by a long shot and it has little to do with the extra HP. If there was a way to keep the plastic air guide I'd do it and I'd recommend that you do it as well. Now, it it slid easily in and out I might be taking it out in the cooler months because it makes a swell leg warmer!
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Momz
|
|
« Reply #12 on: July 30, 2012, 02:13:23 PM » |
|
If you supercharged a Valk, that plastic sheild would be in the garbage can.
And a S/C Valk does run hotter than a stocker.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
 ALWAYS QUESTION AUTHORITY! 97 Valk bobber, 98 Valk Rat Rod, 2K SuperValk, plus several other classic bikes |
|
|
|
BonS
|
|
« Reply #13 on: July 30, 2012, 02:30:43 PM » |
|
If you supercharged a Valk, that plastic sheild would be in the garbage can.
And a S/C Valk does run hotter than a stocker.
Especially when you have room for only a single fan. I can just be idling around town and still have to watch the temps at stop lights. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
DarkSideR
Member
Posts: 1793
To be good, and to do good, is all we have to do.
Pueblo, Colorado
|
|
« Reply #14 on: July 31, 2012, 01:04:27 PM » |
|
@ Mase - I love how one comment can change everything. Big question! When the fan does run, does it blow all the hot air out from under the Gas Tank? Also is the air coming across your legs any hotter at speed?
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
2001 Valkyrie Super Tourer VRCC#34410 VRCCDS#0263 |
|
|
|
BonS
|
|
« Reply #15 on: July 31, 2012, 04:59:16 PM » |
|
If the plastic air guide is removed the the carburetors get a direct blast of hot air. Hot air, hot engine and hot days can mess with fuel density a lot and lead to running lean, pre detonation and vapor lock. I wonder if that wasn't what mother Honda was thinking when they designed this air management system in the first place. (The Interstate takes it one step farther by continuing to route the hot air beyond the engine and legs of the rider by ducting the hot air through the pods.) Previously I said that I don't have the air guide on my blown Valk and all is well. This is because the carburetor is located higher up underneath the gas tank than the six carburetor setup sitting directly behind the radiator. I don't think I'd be pulling out the air guide on a regular setup just to make it easier to work on the carburetors. I mean, how often is that? A regularly ridden Valkyrie that's fed decent gas very rarely needs any carburetor adjustments or repairs. IMHO.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Ricky-D
|
|
« Reply #16 on: August 01, 2012, 07:16:56 AM » |
|
A regularly ridden Valkyrie that's fed decent gas very rarely needs any carburetor adjustments or repairs. IMHO. That's worth saying again. *** |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
2000_Valkyrie_Interstate
|
|
|
art
Member
Posts: 2737
Grants Pass,Or
Grants Pass,Or
|
|
« Reply #17 on: August 01, 2012, 11:11:27 AM » |
|
I pulled my shield out three years ago and haven't had any issues with heat.When the temp hits 100 I don't think a plastic shield is going to do very much.Besides when its cold out the extra heat is nice.I pulled it due to ongoing carb problems at the time and didn't want to keep on fighting with it.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
DarkSideR
Member
Posts: 1793
To be good, and to do good, is all we have to do.
Pueblo, Colorado
|
|
« Reply #18 on: August 01, 2012, 11:13:55 AM » |
|
@ Art - when your fan runs, does it also push the hot air out from under the gas tank?
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
2001 Valkyrie Super Tourer VRCC#34410 VRCCDS#0263 |
|
|
art
Member
Posts: 2737
Grants Pass,Or
Grants Pass,Or
|
|
« Reply #19 on: August 01, 2012, 11:33:47 AM » |
|
Yes and during the winter its warm air but the fan dosen't run during the winter.I have had the fan come on only about three to four times this summer while in traffic on a 95 degree day.In Oregon the weather is not as bad as some areas.I moved here from Az seven yrs ago and still get between 15 an 20000 miles a year off riding.I have over 140000 on my valk and it runs strong.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
WDAN
|
|
« Reply #20 on: August 01, 2012, 12:25:20 PM » |
|
When I installed chrome grille, I wrestled trying to also put plastic shield on and, working without an extra set of hands, I became frustrated trying to line both up so left off the plastic.
No issues.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
WDAN
Irving, TX
|
|
|
|
