Radiator side reflector removal and radiator refurb

[mello dude]

Hi
 I am doing some refurb work on my 99 Valk and -- How do you get the side reflectors off without breaking them? I see there is a tab on the bottom and a screwdriver can pry it away, but how does it come off? -- I dont want to buy new ones at 20 bucks a piece.

Also - what are your tips on cleaning and refurb the radiator to look newish? I want to pull the chrome side covers off to work on it.

Thanks for any tips! 

[The emperor has no clothes]

It's just double sided tape. Everybody says use fishing line. It by chance you do break one, very similar ones are available at Napa, Autozone, etc.

What are you doing to the radiator ?

[Chrisj CMA]

Hi
 I am doing some refurb work on my 99 Valk and -- How do you get the side reflectors off without breaking them? I see there is a tab on the bottom and a screwdriver can pry it away, but how does it come off? -- I dont want to buy new ones at 20 bucks a piece.

Also - what are your tips on cleaning and refurb the radiator to look newish? I want to pull the chrome side covers off to work on it.

Thanks for any tips!  

I got to the same point.  The whole bike looked good except that ugly radiator.  The reflectors I pried off with a screwdriver and no damage happened to either part.  Then I kinda went overboard with the enhancements but I think it looks really good

[Fazer]

Heat 'em up with a heat gun (not a hair dryer, not hot enough) and they will come off.  May leave some adhesive residue that you can clean with Goo Off.

[mello dude]

Hi
 I am doing some refurb work on my 99 Valk and -- How do you get the side reflectors off without breaking them? I see there is a tab on the bottom and a screwdriver can pry it away, but how does it come off? -- I dont want to buy new ones at 20 bucks a piece.

Also - what are your tips on cleaning and refurb the radiator to look newish? I want to pull the chrome side covers off to work on it.

Thanks for any tips!  

I got to the same point.  The whole bike looked good except that ugly radiator.  The reflectors I pried off with a screwdriver and no damage happened to either part.  Then I kinda went overboard with the enhancements but I think it looks really good

That's what  I'm  talking  about!  What  are the parts you got there? Where can I buy? My  radiator is ugly.


Thxz

[Chrisj CMA]

Well, the Cobra side covers are extremely hard to find.  The 9 bar grill is still available from xf6 custom designs. The chrome top at Show Chrome.  The braided hose cover I found on Amazon

[mello dude]

Jeez - went looking into buying new chrome side covers. The left side with the lower outlet is roughly $34 and the other, right side, the much simpler part is roughly $85! Who prices these things? Near the same part and 50 dollar difference!!! STUPID!! Bleah...

[Chrisj CMA]

Jeez - went looking into buying new chrome side covers. The left side with the lower outlet is roughly $34 and the other, right side, the much simpler part is roughly $85! Who prices these things? Near the same part and 50 dollar difference!!! STUPID!! Bleah...

Yeah, it's not cheap buying jewelry for these ladies.  You want it too look great you gots to lighten your wallet a bit.

[mello dude]

Well - I'm officially the bling it, spend it, dumbass. I ordered the 9 bar grill, then ordered new factory side covers. Of course I had to get new hoses. The radiator itself looks crappy so I ordered Eastman's radiator paint. I have the Show Chrome top cover unopened and hanging on the wall from a couple years ago, and dont remember the bill on that.  Jeez, havent even looked at a solution for blinging the hose.

Whoa, a lotta bucks just to bling out  and replace parts that were perfectly fine in the first fricken place...

[oldsmokey]

So you have admitted that you may have a problem,? Welcome

[Chrisj CMA]

Well - I'm officially the bling it, spend it, dumbass. I ordered the 9 bar grill, then ordered new factory side covers. Of course I had to get new hoses. The radiator itself looks crappy so I ordered Eastman's radiator paint. I have the Show Chrome top cover unopened and hanging on the wall from a couple years ago, and dont remember the bill on that.  Jeez, havent even looked at a solution for blinging the hose.

Whoa, a lotta bucks just to bling out  and replace parts that were perfectly fine in the first fricken place...

Now that the bike will look so good tell her (wife) that it needs to park in the family room to preserve the investment 

[Jonesz]

How do you like/enjoy the 9 bar radiator grill. Very sharp looking but $200 bux? Thinking it would really add to my 99 CT. Just don't want to take out a 3rd mortgage for spmething not top quality. Your bike looks GR8

[Jess from VA]

I have the old Rattlebars chrome on one bike, and newer xf6 Customs (Darryl's) stainless bar grille on the other, and they are really unique, nice bling (and very well made; they are individually brazed in, one rod at a time).  They are different from any other bolt on chrome.  (They also do not block any necessary air to the radiator; some of those flat stock covers with cut-out designs in them block an awful lot of air).

Word to the wise, if you will reuse your OE rattletrap grill underneath the bar grill, the mount screws are longer than if you don't use it.  I do not use the OE grills underneath on either bike, (never had a rock or anything other than bugs to be swept out with a soft brush in tens of thousands of miles), and I got the wrong longer screws with my 2d grill, and if I was not paying close attention, I could have holed the radiator with just the 1/4" longer screws.

If you will reuse the OE grill, it needs cleaned, wire wheeled, and hit with a rattlecan (I recommend flat paint, you are not trying to compete with the bar grille).  Mine were in bad shape.  They could have been brought back, but I didn't want them in there anyway.

BTW, I don't know if they are sold anymore, but there used to be aftermarket chrome (or chrome colored) grills exactly like the OE black ones for sale, for much cheaper than the bar grilles.

Also beware, the old (I think now discontinued) Show Chrome braided stainless hose cover was notorious for leaking coolant.  I cannot remember what the problem was, it may have only been crappy clamps, but that part gave a lot of people trouble (if it even still available).  See below:

The Rattlebars chrome bar grille:  (long discontinued)


Darryl's fx6 stainless bar grille:


While not as fancy as nice braided stainless, you can still get the Interstate radiator hose (slinky) cover as Honda OE parts.  They sit inside the clamps and never leak, and look much better than a bare hose on tourers/stds.  Part no 19 in this '99 interstate fish ($27.65 on Partzilla).

http://www.partzilla.com/parts/search/Honda/Motorcycle/1999/GL1500CF+AC/RADIATOR/parts.html

This is used for sale, and can be cleaned up some.


Hard to find good close up pics of one on interstates.