front radiator mod question
 

Wan't sure whether to post to cosmetic or performance but here we go. My hawk is now naked or standard. I hate the look of factory radiators and bike doesn't cool well enough to drive through town in summer. I would like some specs on radiators guys on here have used. I ve been looking at SV radiators, but don't know which one is best fit. Are the diameters of in/out water pipe same as hawk's? Or will I have to find different hoses? Would appreciate pics with specs of radiator and hoses used in pic. I can't afford a lot of trial and error... thanks... here are some pics I would like more info on. and on Papa's cafe hawk I would love spec of big radiator and one ya ended up goin with.

Yeah, I dont know how it would fit with a stock front end. I barely fit my zx-7 oil cooler in that space without bashing it over inevitable big bumps. I wanted to plumb in an ole ex500 rad I had but couldnt fit it or a 3rd vtr rad in the space.

May be easier with naked bike but be sure to check clearance.

How about no radiators in front? ;)

Side radiators have to go.

I used CBR600F4 radiator, trimed down some..


https://www.superhawkforum.com/forum...d-vtr-3799.jpg

https://www.superhawkforum.com/forum...d-vtr-3798.jpg

How did you trim it down? What did you use to attach the radiator?

Hacksaw, then solder to shape.
Cut sheet metal to fabricate brackets.

Guess they missed the hint that there are other places to put the radiator.... ;)

0020, you are running that rad with no fan, and the oil cooler smushed behind it? How many miles has it been that way and have you been caught in traffic? It would never work for me in city 100* traffic.

At least one guy put the radiator under the tail section with a pair of fans.

I got the hint about mounting the radiator under the tail but in VA where it hits over 100 in the summer I'm not sure it would work well.

By all means if you want to do this mod for looks, have at it, we all love to MOD our bikes for personal preference.

But if you can not ride your bike in relatively mild temps of 100 deg on a summer day without overheating, that's the problem I would focus on first, before you chase issues with a MOD that did not fix a preexisting issue.
The OEM cooling system has no issues keeping my bike from overheating in Central Texas Summers, where temps seem to be about on par with what you see in Richmond, VA

On a Naked bike.. for aesthetics alone, I'd agree with you.. the front radiator is the better option.

Do you have a bike wreckers near you? That would be a great way to go look at many dozens of different radiators to see which one is a best fit to MOD.

Looks like he missed my location as well ;).

Not calling the other systems out, but I'd put the undertail setup against a smaller volume front rad with no fan any time of year.

It is a lot more work to do, though.

Ohh ya, NO fan is not a smart option regardless of where you locate the RADS.

Though a properly sized front mounted unenclosed rad WITH a fan, should cool as well or better then two smaller sized RADs in the tail.

I m moving to Nashville TN this summer. I ve road hawk around Nashville several times. It's all good when moving but rush hour traffic more sitting than moving. My bike does ok when moving, but fan doesn't come on until 220 degrees. I want it to run cooler. If it runs cooler the oil last longer, easier on the motor, easier on my legs. I also believe moving the radiators from side to front will cut down on heat on my legs.

Who said I'm running it?

This is the way to do it:

Attachment 23804

Attachment 23805

Kai Ju's bike is what I modeled mine after unashamedly. It's a great setup. I have my dual fans set to click on earlier than stock. Worst case scenario in the summer I see 225 F. The VTX 1800 radiator has slightly more volume than the pair of stock VTR ones. Rarely does it go above 215 though.

It's not an "ideal" setup, but it works much better than it should. I have no problem riding my bike in 115* stop and go traffic.

If your current system doesn't trigger the fan until 220, that's not an ambient temperature problem, that's a cooling system problem. A front rad with no fan only belongs on the track when the bike is either running at high speed or turned off.

All I'm saying is, the undertail system does work for me.

I'll def have a fan on mine. A slim high performance 6.5 inch with high CFM's. Side mount without intake scopes in stock fairings doesn't push air efficiently. B4 and after taking fairings off 25 degree increase in running temperature after taking fairings off.

I just dont want to buy radiator and the water spouts have smaller diameter and not allow water to flow as fast...

I looked into under seat set up. Vtx1800 radiators are too expensive

Totally understandable, and it's a lot of work, just wanted to point out that it does work. ;)

If you re-locate a larger oil cooler lower on the bike (in the Moriwaki location) you will free up some room in there as well.

Smokin' Joe posted the fix for what temp your fan comes on. Adjustable temp switch, from a Nissan car I believe. You could also mount a second fan. 'Lot less work than changing radiators.;)

The nissan one is just a switch that turn on sooner (I think 80 or 85*C where the stock one is around 100*C). The thing is, the stock one should at least click on at 215*F, probably closer to 212*F. BUT if your cooling system has old coolant or air pockets or a bad cap or something else, the hot coolant won't cycle properly. The switch should only be replaced once the system is running as it should stock IMO.

SmokinJoe ended up using a different variable switch after trying the Nissan one if I remember correctly.

So yeah, my newest plan for more perfect cooling is an adjustable switch. This thing.

Hayden Fan Switch Thermostatic Radiator Probe Adjustable 160 240 Degrees F Kit | eBay

This way you can adjust the temp the fan comes on.

I have a 5-row oil cooler ordered. I ll be placing it b/w head and oil filter behind head pipe like some others I ve seen on here. I will probably heat wrap exhaust headers also. I m in the process of transforming my bike from a "back roads, trailer to mountains and ride" into a commuter every day transportation bike. I've already made swap from pilot powers to conti. motions. Trying to do one part at a time not having bike torn down for more than day or 2 at a time.

Found this pic on google. It is off a 03-08 SV1000. I ll mount it little differently. The fan has 1730 CFM but it is 2" thick.
Ebay
Radiator: $120.00
7 inch fan: $23.95
Hayden switch: $28

All I have left is to see if hoses will work.

That looks pretty good. Its really just plumbing, with enuff hose, adapters and clamps, it will work. Like I said, I dont see where you are getting clearance for all that rad & fan.

I suspect honda engineers had the same issue and camp up with side rads. I guess after all the time I have spent shoehorning my oil cooler into that space, only to find the tire hits on big bumps, I just dont see it. Good luck though, keep posting.

It seems to me a curved radiator would solve alot of clearance issues, like a gixr or cbr. Like this

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2005-2006-Ho...a5fdae&vxp=mtr

There was one guy somewhere who had his radiator bent up in the middle professionally for tire clearance

There are OEM rads that are shaped that was as well.

Maybe it wasn't bent... I'm thinking something like this :

https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/i...oRqvAaT3iLIXEp

ZX10R
http://img832.imageshack.us/img832/3...3797782553.jpg