Dam you Friday the 13th, radiator holed...

[Poddy]

OK, so I decided to change the oil in my 2011 1400GTR and after all done thought "... a quick ride around the block to make sure all good" and get home, things seem fine then I notice that I have a water leaking from  in the radiator, a small stone had put a hole in it me thinks!!!!!

Does anyone  know if you can get these fixed or do I have to buy a new one.

Only had it for 6 mths and 18,000 klms of fantastic riding and just do a simple ride around the block and this happens; not happy!!!!

Cheers
Poddy

[The Pope]

I'd talk to a radiator shop. They would be able to tell you if it could be fixed or not, but that may also depend on where it's leeking at.

[VirginiaJim]

Did you have a rad protector installed?

[gPink]

Did you have a rad protector installed?

I think you have to have that before you get a hole.

[VirginiaJim]

It would be nice to know if they work or not...  Anyone had a hole with one of them installed?  I know I haven't.  I haven't hit any elephants on the road so I know it works for that.

[Conrad]

It would be nice to know if they work or not...  Anyone had a hole with one of them installed?  I know I haven't.  I haven't hit any elephants on the road so I know it works for that.

A fob with fresh batteries keeps those pesky elephants away.

[philipintexas]

Given the high price of a new one, I think I'd try to clean the damaged area and apply some "JB-weld". You've got nothing to lose and the stuff is amazing. The key is to have the area clean & dry. If the hole is in the fin area it may be a different story.

[Conrad]

OK, so I decided to change the oil in my 2011 1400GTR and after all done thought "... a quick ride around the block to make sure all good" and get home, things seem fine then I notice that I have a water leaking from  in the radiator, a small stone had put a hole in it me thinks!!!!!

Does anyone  know if you can get these fixed or do I have to buy a new one.

Only had it for 6 mths and 18,000 klms of fantastic riding and just do a simple ride around the block and this happens; not happy!!!!

Cheers
Poddy

I just looked at the time you posted this. You were doing this at 3am?   

[Arata]

There is a radiator repair shop the ZRXOA uses a lot,  let me do some checking.

You would have to ship it out for repair.

[Arata]

Here you go:

Myler's

http://www.motorcycleradiators.com/newshop/

[So Cal Joe]

I just looked at the time you posted this. You were doing this at 3am?   

Maybe he didn't set the time zone in his profile?

[Conrad]

Maybe he didn't set the time zone in his profile?

Either that or I spose he could work 2nd shift and be a night owl.

[VirginiaJim]

Given the high price of a new one, I think I'd try to clean the damaged area and apply some "JB-weld". You've got nothing to lose and the stuff is amazing. The key is to have the area clean & dry. If the hole is in the fin area it may be a different story.

I've used JB weld on a friend's rad and he never got it fixed.  Ran for several years like that until he got T-boned.  Totaled the bike.

[SonnyC]

Unless the hole is significanltly big, it could be repaired.  Buying a new or a used one will cost you an arm and a leg.  It easy to remove the radiator.  Two bolts at the top, one at the bottom a few hoses and presto your done. And while your at it, order a radiator guard ( I have a Cox guard that I installed prior to my 9K mile trip to Alaska and I am glad I did it).  Take the radiator to any auto radiator repair shop, show them what you have and get an estimate.  I paid $75 to repair two holes on my Triumph radiator after I crashed it...that was 9 years ago and it still works today.

[C1xRider]

Maybe he didn't set the time zone in his profile?

Maybe he's across the pond.  ("1400GTR", "18,000 klms", "Cheers", time zone difference). 

OK, so I decided to change the oil in my 2011 1400GTR and after all done thought "... a quick ride around the block to make sure all good" and get home, things seem fine then I notice that I have a water leaking from  in the radiator, a small stone had put a hole in it me thinks!!!!!

Does anyone  know if you can get these fixed or do I have to buy a new one.

Only had it for 6 mths and 18,000 klms of fantastic riding and just do a simple ride around the block and this happens; not happy!!!!

Cheers
Poddy

As for repairing, definitely.  Any competent radiator shop should be able to do it.  J-B Weld would probably work fine too, if you get it to flare out on the inside of the hole to help hold it in place when pressure is applied.

[DaveO]

i had to replace one . It cost 700 bucks but was not very  hard to swap out.
A radiator shop can fix them for a lot less  but I just have a thing about blow out patches on my motorcycle.
To much of that at work ,not on my bike.

[Poddy]

Morning all - yep across the pond and downunder; sorry about the confusion

I am going to get it repaired, not something I would normally do on a 6th old bike but... the Stealer wants $1500 (AUD) ($1584 USD) for a new one + $650 (AUD) to fit it ($670 USD)
I found a local mob "Race Radiators" who specialise in motorbike radiators only and they gave a ball park (sight unseen) of $100, if its more its still cheap.

I have just downloaded the manual and will study it to drop the radiator out myself and get it fix.
Have already ordered a radiator guard so to limit this happening again

Cheers
Poddy 

[lather]

I'm thinking i'll just move over there and get me a job. At $670 for 15 minutes work I'll be rich quick.

[wildnphx]

Don't feel bad I'm in the same boat... Riding with a group this past weekend abd pulled into gas station and antifreeze spraying put of radiator all over front tire and brakes   I found some Bars Stop Leak and added that to radiator and the leak was gone.  I was quoted about $50 to repair so I am going to do that and flush out the system to get the stop leak out of the system cause I heard it was hard on the water pump.  oh and yes putting radiator guard on!!

[BudCallaghan]

Does anyone  know if you can get these fixed or do I have to buy a new one.

Cheers
Poddy

I suggest you take Phil's advice and give JB Weld a try.  I have used it on numerous occasions to repair radiators on motocross bikes.  They're aluminum as is the Concours' radiator.  Do a good job of cleaning the area of the damage and it will adhere properly.  If done correctly, the cost of a the repair will be the cost of the JB Weld. 

As a matter of prevention, an extension of the fender is the way to go.  However, I don't advise Murph's or the majority of similar offerings advertised.  A man named Larry Teows in Canada has developed the solution with a fender extender that is longer than the others and protects the radiator by being low enough to stop anything thrown up by the front tire from being able to reach the radiator.  It looks like Murph's but it is longer and offers the protection the others lack.

In addition to the front fender extender, he also makes one for the rear that will definitely keep the rear of the bike clean when the road is wet.  The stock rear fender on the C14 is a damn poor excuse of a fender as it is less than useless at doing the job a fender is intended to do.  The front fender on the other hand is only half bad.  The front portion is perfect as it protects the forks and is low enough and wide enough to prevent water from being thrown up when riding in wet weather.  The rear portion's utility gave way to the designer(s) bowing to their perceived concept of aesthetics and to hell with a fender's intended function.  I have both of Larry's creations on my C14 and wouldn't consider removing either of them.  They look good, are very well made and deserve my highest recommendation.

Here are two links to see pictures and contact information:
http://forum.cog-online.org/index.php?topic=26423.0
http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=128.0