Radiator intake protection

[RogerRZ]

Hi all, just got back from the Fundy Adventure Rally, and before I could even dump some rather hard use (abuse) on the Tenere, a rock found its way to the radiator intake, where it made a nice hole in one of the tubes. A gob of Locktite epoxy paste and a gulp of magic radiator juice made it water tight for the entire 350 miles of the rally. A trip to the rad repair shop in on the calendar.

Is there some sort of guard one can purchase to mitigate this risk, or am I going to have to bubblegum something in my shop?

 

[Don in Lodi]

Jaxon was fitting a metal mesh screen in there.

 

[BaldKnob]

1st time I’ve heard of anyone damaging a radiator like that. Congrats and condolences.

 

[RogerRZ]

Thanks! (I think). Still managed to score a Gold level finish. I'm kind of reluctant to restrict the opening, as I found it to already run on the hot side in slow, technical stuff, even in 70 degree weather--the fan cycled on and off a lot.

 

[Sierra1]

Man, that's the kind of shit that happens to me....would NOT have thought a rock could have navigated through there, and caused that much damage.

 

[wjfawb0]

Was it a rock from a bike in front of you that did the damage? I know a lot of busted lights happen from oncoming traffic launching rocks from the leading edges of the tires.

 

[EricV]

The wire mesh Jaxon was using is not restrictive. I have one on my bike. It's just folded and inserted, then I used some safety wire and drilled a few small holes to secure it in place. Probably not necessary, but made me feel better that it wouldn't come out from rough terrain, etc. Same could be done with the intake hole, but I haven't yet. Probably should, I've sucked a couple of birds in there over the years.

 

[ballisticexchris]

Man, that's the kind of shit that happens to me....would NOT have thought a rock could have navigated through there, and caused that much damage.

Weird stuff breaks when going off road. If I was to use this bike regularly in the dirt then it would have Evans waterless coolant.

 

[~TABASCO~]

Shoot, I still have my original installed after a million miles... It has a few "dents" from stuff I've picked up along the way....

 

[RogerRZ]

Was it a rock from a bike in front of you that did the damage? I know a lot of busted lights happen from oncoming traffic launching rocks from the leading edges of the tires.

It's hard to tell. We had been on probably ten miles of a road that was under construction, and was loose crushed rock. W3 didn't meet anyone, only passed one bike, and I don't recall getting roosted by any of the others. This was the second day of the ride, though, and that rock could have been wedged in there foe a while before the damage was done.

I like Eric's solution...

 

[Checkswrecks]

Good for a million uses and costs $1.71

 

[elricfate]

Good for a million uses and costs $1.71

Just as an aside, this stuff is difficult to work with because it does not retain a shape.



I had to use safety wire in strategic locations to affix it. I think I'm going to try to find aluminum stuff for the bottom intake

 

[EricV]

Some of the gutter guard stuff is aluminum. No idea what 'brand' but check hardware stores and home improvement stores in your area.

 

[elricfate]

Some of the gutter guard stuff is aluminum. No idea what 'brand' but check hardware stores and home improvement stores in your area.

Yea, that's what I'm picking up today for the lower area. That stuff pictured is nylon.

 

[elricfate]

Steel gutter guard, bonus points in that it's powder coated black. It will retain its shape a lot easier than the nylon stuff mentioned above.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Amerimax-Home-Products-Metal-Black-Lock-in-Gutter-Guard-6360/205207064

Gonna do the bottom intake and maybe re-do the top intake. Snip out all those safety wire points. Just not tonight because I'm heading to bike night... and probably not the next couple of days after since I'll be in Arlington on business.