Kawasaki Concours Forum
The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => Accessories and modifications - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: gnuse on November 09, 2011, 12:17:06 PM
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I am considering a radiator guard after looking at the expanse of finned aluminum behind the front wheel.
The ones I have seen on the suppliers on this site appear to be somewhat like "expanded metal". Maybe they are effective and have saved someone's radiator from damage. That is why I ask.
I noticed that Beowulf in England makes one that appears to be cut from an aluminum sheet. I would think that would be less suseptable to pentration, but again, I am asking for the experience of those on the forum.
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I bought some gutter guard from Lowes and it has worked well for the past 30,000 miles. Total investment was 10 bucks and about 20 mintes of trimming and fitting.
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I bought some gutter guard from Lowes and it has worked well for the past 30,000 miles. Total investment was 10 bucks and about 20 mintes of trimming and fitting.
How did you attach it? I have a fender extender but would still like a radiator guard. Thanks.
Glynn
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I made a radiator guard out of .030" stainless steel sheet. I needed some programming practice on a turret and panel bender so decided to make something I could use. Made one with .125" spacing and another with .0625" between .25" squares. Added a couple mounting holes at the top and a slight bend which rests on the inside of the lower fairing. Both guards seam to be very strong. If anyone wants one let me know and I will make up a couple more.
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I installed a Cox radiator guard before my 9000 Mile round trio to Alaska. It was a life saver because a good portion of the road at the "AlCan: and Cassiar Highway was loose gravel due to highway construction and maintenance. Once back home I had to wash my bike three times just to remove all the mud, muck, sand and small gravel lodge in all crevices including the bottom portion of the radiator.
Hope this helps.
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I made a radiator guard out of .030" stainless steel sheet. I needed some programming practice on a turret and panel bender so decided to make something I could use. Made one with .125" spacing and another with .0625" between .25" squares. Added a couple mounting holes at the top and a slight bend which rests on the inside of the lower fairing. Both guards seam to be very strong. If anyone wants one let me know and I will make up a couple more.
You've piqued my interest. Do the mounting holes line up to a preexisting mounting spot? Does it attach at the bottom at all?
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I made a radiator guard out of .030" stainless steel sheet. I needed some programming practice on a turret and panel bender so decided to make something I could use. Made one with .125" spacing and another with .0625" between .25" squares. Added a couple mounting holes at the top and a slight bend which rests on the inside of the lower fairing. Both guards seam to be very strong. If anyone wants one let me know and I will make up a couple more.
Very nice work. Nothing like talent meeting the right tools. That looks very much like what I would expect. How did you fasten it? Now that you have it on your bike would you change any dimensions, etc.?
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I've been hearing about this product. Aside the radiator product, I've heard about multiple items to prevent bags from flying off, paint protection for tank, side of the bike and bags, even expensive headlight protection, and a plethora of other things.
My bike has been going naked for > 45,000 miles, some of which have been off road on gravel in the TN/NC mountains and hell in the desert. Its in great shape and has never had a radiator or any other issue.
It's the mad pow-ah of KiPass, its amazing! 8)
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The guard that I mentioned above is held in place at the top with zip ties around the tabs of the radiator. The bottom just rests on the lower fairing. I have had the guard in place for about 5000 miles with no movement. I could also make it with round holes instead of the sqaures if required.
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You only need the guard five seconds before the rock hits it. Otherwise, its wasted space and money. If your rad never gets hit, you did not need one.
Having said that, and havign fixed and filled a rad on a trail (filled with urine) I run one whenever I can. Blues extender helps as well.
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I got the ProjektD one because it's black and looks much better IMO than the silver/grey color of the radiator, the added protection is just a bonus... 8)
http://projektd.com/product_info.php?cPath=27_39_47&products_id=62 (http://projektd.com/product_info.php?cPath=27_39_47&products_id=62)
(http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb336/jaywilcox/IMG00202-20110416-1339.jpg)
(http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb336/jaywilcox/IMG00207-20110416-1350.jpg)
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I installed a Cox radiator guard before my 9000 Mile round trio to Alaska. It was a life saver because a good portion of the road at the "AlCan: and Cassiar Highway was loose gravel due to highway construction and maintenance. Once back home I had to wash my bike three times just to remove all the mud, muck, sand and small gravel lodge in all crevices including the bottom portion of the radiator.
Hope this helps.
+1 on the Cox guard.
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anyone knows how come cox radiator guards are listed as "2006-2010" and "2011"? i thought the radiator for C14 have the same part number for year 2008 right up to 2012?
tried emailing Cox's email (as listed on their site) 2 days ago, but no one's replying.
i've used Cox radiator guard for my two previous bikes, they did their job well enough that i'm interested in getting one for my C14. i usually use thick copper wires (for electric motor windings) to tie up the top of the guard. i'm a bit paranoid about zip ties melting or softening in the heat, and the copper is soft enough to twist it.
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tried emailing Cox's email (as listed on their site) 2 days ago, but no one's replying.
If you ordered the ProjektD one you'd probably have it at your door by now, those guys have really fast order processing and shipping... :thumbs:
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anyone knows how come cox radiator guards are listed as "2006-2010" and "2011"? i thought the radiator for C14 have the same part number for year 2008 right up to 2012?
tried emailing Cox's email (as listed on their site) 2 days ago, but no one's replying.
The Cox Radiator guard for 2006-2010 will fit on the 2011, as I did install one on mine. Fit up was no problem, I did have to add a few washers as shims on the lower mount to move it over slightly but that was it.
Hamster
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How did you attach it? I have a fender extender but would still like a radiator guard. Thanks.
Glynn
The radiator has perimeter trim that the gutter guard edges fit into perfectly. Cut the guard just right and it is a perfect snug fit, no fasteners required. I bought mine from Home Depot for less than $8 bucks and isntalled in 19 minutes. It has been in place for 60,000 miles.
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The radiator has perimeter trim that the gutter guard edges fit into perfectly. Cut the guard just right and it is a perfect snug fit, no fasteners required. I bought mine from Home Depot for less than $8 bucks and isntalled in 19 minutes. It has been in place for 60,000 miles.
Thanks lather, to Home Depot I go. :thumbs:
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Thanks lather, to Home Depot I go. :thumbs:
Detailed instructions were on the old forum, they are probably lost now so here is what I remember. You need two sections of guard which are about 6 inches wide and 36 inces long. Cut each to length to fit snug and spring tension created by the curvature will hold them in place, one on top of the other. There was an exact length to cut but I cannot remember it. Maybe Jeremy will. Jeremy?
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I don't remember how long mine ended up being, I got a rough measurement and trimmed it down a little bit more to make sure it fit just like you described, Lather. Very easy to do and if there are a couple other C14 riders in the area you could probably do four or five bikes with one, eight dollar package.
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+1 for ProjectD. Easy Install, fast delivery, looks good in black
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Detailed instructions were on the old forum, they are probably lost now so here is what I remember. You need two sections of guard which are about 6 inches wide and 36 inces long. Cut each to length to fit snug and spring tension created by the curvature will hold them in place, one on top of the other. There was an exact length to cut but I cannot remember it.
I did the same one that was detailed on the old server/site and it works perfect. The tension of the curvature of the expanded metal holds it in place. There are two pieces of gutter cover that are 15" long and are installed horizontally across the radiator to perfectly cover all vulnerable areas and I spent $3.95 on the materials. The material is aluminum expanded metal and I fit it into the small seam on the outside of the radiator.
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Are you guys refering to the all metal guard or the plastic with wire mesh? I only found white and brown in the plastic variety at home depot and of course I needed black.
Guess I need a pic. :o
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It is all aluminum, I found mine at Lowes.
This looks similar to what I bought.
http://www.lowes.com/pd_157336-205-854054_0__?productId=1037011&Ntt=gutter+guard&pl=1¤tURL=%2Fpl__0__s%3FNtt%3Dgutter%2Bguard&facetInfo= (http://www.lowes.com/pd_157336-205-854054_0__?productId=1037011&Ntt=gutter+guard&pl=1¤tURL=%2Fpl__0__s%3FNtt%3Dgutter%2Bguard&facetInfo=)
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Are you guys refering to the all metal guard or the plastic with wire mesh? I only found white and brown in the plastic variety at home depot and of course I needed black.
Guess I need a pic. :o
Plastic isn't going to stop anything that I am worried about. I was trying to find out how thick the metal needed to be. I was hoping a "survivor" would tell us their experience.
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anyone knows how come cox radiator guards are listed as "2006-2010" and "2011"? i thought the radiator for C14 have the same part number for year 2008 right up to 2012?
tried emailing Cox's email (as listed on their site) 2 days ago, but no one's replying.
i've used Cox radiator guard for my two previous bikes, they did their job well enough that i'm interested in getting one for my C14. i usually use thick copper wires (for electric motor windings) to tie up the top of the guard. i'm a bit paranoid about zip ties melting or softening in the heat, and the copper is soft enough to twist it.
use two tywraps
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I dont care for the cox simply becuse you have to tywrap it on. the projktd seems to be the best i have researched so far. as far as the gutter material goes. i appears to lay right on the radiator with no seperation, not sure if that will really offer much protection if you took a good size object but the price is certainly right. projktd is pricey, but what isn't these days.
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Finally ready to install both the fender extender and radiator screen from ProjektD. Ordered the latter without the inner screen and laser holes, to install fiberglass screening myself. Anyway, did a screen fit first, and was immediately disappointed at the fit. It goes INSIDE the radiator edges, blocking fin area all around. In total it's blocking about 52 sq. inches by my estimation. The fiberglass screening (just like the honeycomb material it comes with) also blocks a little (common sense). Fiberglass screening has never made a difference in any of my vehicles, but I've never blocked the radiators at all. Since I live in very hot TX, and like to travel fast, I'm a bit concerned this thing might make the engine run hotter. Hopefully I can hear from a desert rat with personal experience with it 8). Will proceed with the installation of the screening (very time consuming), and also installation of the surround once finished. But would like to know if it's going to be a problem in hot weather. At the first valve inspection, will probably just wrap the radiator once removed and sell this thing. But I'm years away from that (just 70 miles on the clock now :o), so plan to use it until then if it's not going to be an issue. Thank you in advance for your help folks.
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Lived with my 14 in the Valley of the Sun for 3 years, as a daily driver, and never had an overheating issue. Period. ;)
ProjektD rad. guard, as they sell it, with "Concours14" cutout and fender extender.
Now in swampy FL :'( and still no issues.
Change the coolant every two years and make sure the hose clamps are tight. :)
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Lived with my 14 in the Valley of the Sun for 3 years, as a daily driver, and never had an overheating issue. Period. ;) ProjektD rad. guard, as they sell it, with "Concours14" cutout and fender extender.
Thanks a lot for the testimonial brother; appreciate it. Will do the install today, and have the bike ready for its first trip in a few weeks. Have a great weekend.
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For anyone who might find this and wonder how long the guard should be cut, it's a hair more than 14.5 inches