Author Topic: Have You Cleaned Your Radiator?  (Read 4555 times)

Offline thundermax

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Have You Cleaned Your Radiator?
« on: November 30, 2012, 08:16:33 AM »
Got my first Kawa 2009 Concours last week. Yesterday changed oil in rear differential, oil and filter in motor, battery in FOB, air filter, added coolant. While down changing engine oil noticed radiator on outside could be cleaner. I don't want to use a car wash or high pressure to clean it. Was thinking about using SIMPLE GREEN cleaner and then rinsing with water hose.

Please tell me what you use or tell me what you have heard should be used. It has been 3.5 years since it was brand new and I would imagine that outside of the radiator has some dirty or sand in it.

On the maintenance I did, some asshole tech must have used a oil filter wrench to tighten on the old filter. Frankly I did not know if it was going to come off or not. It caved in, torn, leaked. Finally was able to put a big channel lock wrench on it and it started to budge a smidgen at a time. The air filter was more time consuming. It goes into the compartment really snug.

All in, I would say it has been a good long while since this was all done. Forgot one more thing: yesterday prior to my work, went to Kawa dealer and had the rear break factory recall completed.

Good day for the c14!
Riding 46 years. In order, 1958 Cushman 721 Highlander, 1960 Cushman Super Eagle, 1971 Honda SL 100, 1974 Yamaha RD 350, 1975 Honda 750 Four, 1971 Honda SL 175, 1998 Yamaha Vmax, 2005 Yamaha Vmax, 2009 Kawasaki Concours 1400, 2012 Kawasaki Concours Arabian Red.

Offline VirginiaJim

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Re: Have You Cleaned Your Radiator?
« Reply #1 on: November 30, 2012, 08:27:37 AM »
For the rad cleaning....
http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=10522.msg128550#msg128550

Use the K&N filter as it has a nut welded to it.  Easier to get off or just use a filter that fits and put it on hand tight only.
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Offline thundermax

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Re: Have You Cleaned Your Radiator?
« Reply #2 on: November 30, 2012, 08:56:05 AM »
Thanks for the link. Sounds like the NAPA stuff works great.
Riding 46 years. In order, 1958 Cushman 721 Highlander, 1960 Cushman Super Eagle, 1971 Honda SL 100, 1974 Yamaha RD 350, 1975 Honda 750 Four, 1971 Honda SL 175, 1998 Yamaha Vmax, 2005 Yamaha Vmax, 2009 Kawasaki Concours 1400, 2012 Kawasaki Concours Arabian Red.

Offline PH14

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Re: Have You Cleaned Your Radiator?
« Reply #3 on: November 30, 2012, 12:23:08 PM »
I have the self cleaning radiator. It cleans itself most times I ride, riding through the usual deluge coming down. The only downside is you need to occasionally pick out the small fish or mollusks that get stuck to the fins.

Offline stevewfl

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Re: Have You Cleaned Your Radiator?
« Reply #4 on: November 30, 2012, 12:49:01 PM »
KiPass has been cleaning my 10 radiator for > 65,000 miles
“The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.” St. Augustine

Offline Bourne2Ride

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Re: Have You Cleaned Your Radiator?
« Reply #5 on: November 30, 2012, 03:59:25 PM »
I don't bother cleaning the radiator. I figure the bugs are plugging the holes.
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Offline jonathan

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Re: Have You Cleaned Your Radiator?
« Reply #6 on: December 03, 2012, 08:25:20 AM »
I don't bother cleaning the radiator. I figure the bugs are plugging the holes.

Uhmm, they are. You should remove them so that the air can get through.

Offline Bourne2Ride

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Re: Have You Cleaned Your Radiator?
« Reply #7 on: December 03, 2012, 02:33:31 PM »
Uhmm, they are. You should remove them so that the air can get through.
To prevent leaks from other road hazards.
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Offline jonathan

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Re: Have You Cleaned Your Radiator?
« Reply #8 on: December 04, 2012, 08:35:56 AM »
To prevent leaks from other road hazards.

Ohhhh. Those holes!

Offline stevewfl

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Re: Have You Cleaned Your Radiator?
« Reply #9 on: December 04, 2012, 08:50:44 AM »
Here in FL, the bugs help insulate my radiator from outside heat, KiPass takes care of the rest.

No rad guard, no cleaning  :D
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Offline thundermax

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Re: Have You Cleaned Your Radiator?
« Reply #10 on: December 04, 2012, 09:01:02 AM »
Can someone post a link to the radiator guard most people use. Thanks.
Riding 46 years. In order, 1958 Cushman 721 Highlander, 1960 Cushman Super Eagle, 1971 Honda SL 100, 1974 Yamaha RD 350, 1975 Honda 750 Four, 1971 Honda SL 175, 1998 Yamaha Vmax, 2005 Yamaha Vmax, 2009 Kawasaki Concours 1400, 2012 Kawasaki Concours Arabian Red.

Offline stevewfl

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Re: Have You Cleaned Your Radiator?
« Reply #11 on: December 04, 2012, 04:56:59 PM »
Can someone post a link to the radiator guard most people use. Thanks.

I don't use one, but since no one chimed in I'll try and help you.

Check there out: http://www.coxracingroup.com/Catelog/2011_2
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Offline feelergaugephil

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Re: Have You Cleaned Your Radiator?
« Reply #12 on: December 05, 2012, 12:18:25 AM »
I too use simple green, I used to use purple power (great stuff) but fcuks your skin up and dulls shiny aluminium.
Dont take my LOW post count as being a new Connie owner, I have been with the "other site" before it imploded........

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Offline jonathan

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Re: Have You Cleaned Your Radiator?
« Reply #13 on: December 05, 2012, 08:04:57 AM »

Offline Conrad

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Re: Have You Cleaned Your Radiator?
« Reply #14 on: December 05, 2012, 08:39:16 AM »
I don't use one, but since no one chimed in I'll try and help you.

Check there out: http://www.coxracingroup.com/Catelog/2011_2

Here is another possibility:

http://projektd.com/product_info.php?products_id=62

I use the Cox, it's not as nice as the Projektd but it's a heck of a lot less expensive and it does the job.




Here in FL, the bugs help insulate my radiator from outside heat, KiPass takes care of the rest.

No rad guard, no cleaning  :D

I could use some of those bugs as of late. With the colder weather I'm lucky to get even one bar on my temp guage while I'm moving.    :o
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