Got a ? about motorcycle cooling...

[malbojah]

Being the fact that living in a tourist trap 4 months of the year leads too long waits at a stop light, my radiator fluids likes to warm up (a lot) to the point that the cooling fan is running almost constantly while stopped.

The setup on my bike is the fan behind the radiator, pulling the air through. Would adding a second fan to the front of the radiator help at all, and if it does help, can I splice in the wiring to the curent fan.

It's for my beloved 1994 CBR 1000

Sad to think that I've put more miles on it in 1 1/2 compared to my car over 2 years 🙂

 

[BillGates]

It would probably help, but would it interfere with airflow when the bike is moving?

I have a TL1000R and have a manual fan switch installed on my handlebar (as do many TLR owners) because the bike gets plenty warm in the summer and roasts your legs and arse. The switch allows you to turn on the fan before it hits 220 degrees, which is plenty hot.

Another idea you would try is Redline Water Wetter, which can help to cool your bike a bit more than regular water/antifreeze alone.

When was the last time you changed the coolant or checked to see that it is at the proper level?

 

[malbojah]

Originally posted by: BillGates


When was the last time you changed the coolant or checked to see that it is at the proper level?

Last month when the bike went in for a major overhaul

EDIT: about 5-6k miles ago 🙂

 

[The Stigenator]

My friend uses RedLine Water Wetter for his bike.. says it runs his bike really cool. He has only that in the tank, no coolant. I thought it was an additive but he said no its a coolant too.

Anyway the fan in front wont help keep the engine cool.. its going to restrict airflow. However You can try cleaning the radiator and or installing a bigger one or a bigger more powerful fan.

I dont have a radiator, my bike is aircooled and to keep the bike cool during the summer I will have to go to Synthetic oil (Though I might stay with Dino it seems to be running fine but synth is expensive). Also if your bike isnt jetted right and is running lean it will tend to run hotter. I have to rejet my bike. The bike runs really cool and very nice during a hot day but that's because the air and fuel ratio works out great, but on cooler days it runs really hot but the power is there. I prefer a smoother runnning cool bike than a hot running a bit rough but power there bike.

 

[Vette73]

Also use Mobil1 15W50 oil. It makes bikes run cooler and get better gas milage. I did it to my Shadow, right before it was totaled, and it did work, also made the trans more smooth.

But adding another fan might make it run warmer. If the fans are not in sync, size and speed, rotation, etc.. then they will be fighting each other and not cool it well enough. Get a lower fan switch so the Rad coems on sooner, and/or get a lower temp thermostat.

 

[malbojah]

Originally posted by: The_good_guy
Anyway the fan in front wont help keep the engine cool.. its going to restrict airflow. However You can try cleaning the radiator and or installing a bigger one or a bigger more powerful fan.

Or I can just stop trying to go through Boston in the middle of the day...

when it's 98 degrees outside...

in the shade....

and I'm stuck in traffic because some moron's cooling system has literally blown up

 

[malbojah]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975
Also use Mobil1 15W50 oil. It makes bikes run cooler and get better gas milage. I did it to my Shadow, right before it was totaled, and it did work, also made the trans more smooth.

But adding another fan might make it run warmer. If the fans are not in sync, size and speed, rotation, etc.. then they will be fighting each other and not cool it well enough. Get a lower fan switch so the Rad coems on sooner, and/or get a lower temp thermostat.

It would be from the next model year (95) and since they never made any changes (93-96), size wouldn't be an issue. And I would (hopefully) be splicing the wires together so they would come on together.

As for a new, lower temp thermostat, I've come to accept the fact that nobody makes anything that fits my bike 🙁 Might explain why a bulb would cost $25

 

[Eli]

Definately use synthetic oil. Probably one of the best things you can do for something hot running like a 'cycle engine, especially an air cooled one.

As for your question, no.. I don't think it would. It would hinder air flow when you are moving. The fan is really only for when you're sitting still.