Radiator guards

[BIGBOSSMAN]

Well summer is almost here, and with summer comes the next to useless Transit NZ and local councils road repairs. Essentially their take on road improvements is to plaster it with tar and then sprinkle tons of pea gravel all over it.
This is not good news in terms of biker safety, while anyone with a front mounted radiator (VTR-SP1 fans rejoice) could be in for a costly repair or replacement radiator.
Fatzx10R has the rad off his bike in for repair because of a stray stone, hopefully it can be done as a new one will set him back $1400 from a Kwaka dealer
So I've made myself a stone guard out of fine mesh - I was going to buy one from an Ebay dealer buy they were $100US + postage.
So to sum up: Protect your expensive radiator from harm by investing in a stone guard, the cost of mine was negligible - about $10 and a bit of time and effort.
You'll be glad you did...

[Gremlin]

damn, thats cheap mesh. But I agree... a mate holed a radiator 600km into the bikes life... the first service was expensive. I have made radiator guards for mine ever since.

Metal suppliers should have sheets for around $40 I think, I didn't know, and paid $60 from Ripco for the Racepro Racemesh (3 different sizes).

Just make sure its not too fine, or else your engine temps will have a healthy increase.

[Blackshear]

Well summer is almost here, and with summer comes the next to useless Transit NZ and local councils road repairs. Essentially their take on road improvements is to plaster it with tar and then sprinkle tons of pea gravel all over it.
This is not good news in terms of biker safety, while anyone with a front mounted radiator (VTR-SP1 fans rejoice) could be in for a costly repair or replacement radiator.
Fatzx10R has the rad off his bike in for repair because of a stray stone, hopefully it can be done as a new one will set him back $1400 from a Kwaka dealer
So I've made myself a stone guard out of fine mesh - I was going to buy one from an Ebay dealer buy they were $100US + postage.
So to sum up: Protect your expensive radiator from harm by investing in a stone guard, the cost of mine was negligible - about $10 and a bit of time and effort.
You'll be glad you did...

Bruh. I'm pretty damn sure you can make a cheaper one, and then fill it with gold sand. Not because it's useful, but because it'd still be cheaper.

But having said that, I have no idea.

[Owl]

Totally agree Bigbossman, but I paid $30 for my mesh. I also got some rubber edging from Pararubber to give it that finished look.

[gtr boy]

thanks for the reminder gary,my bro in law mentioned that a while ago but i forgot so i will do mine this weekend i think as weather gunna be shitty,got my oil cooler as well in the front so need to keep stones outa there...

[Pussy]

We got the Aussie Radguards on both of our sem fiddys. They cost a bit, but are VERY well made, fit perfectly, and work very well. They're worth it for peace of mind

[sAsLEX]

Huh..... my 89 Honda NC30 had them as standard........ crazy ?!


My modern Honda has an aftermarket one in Pink!


I wonder why they have ditched the 300 gram mesh that would save the bike a fair bit of grief?

[bucket boy]

Well summer is almost here, and with summer comes the next to useless Transit NZ and local councils road repairs. Essentially their take on road improvements is to plaster it with tar and then sprinkle tons of pea gravel all over it.
This is not good news in terms of biker safety, while anyone with a front mounted radiator (VTR-SP1 fans rejoice) could be in for a costly repair or replacement radiator.
Fatzx10R has the rad off his bike in for repair because of a stray stone, hopefully it can be done as a new one will set him back $1400 from a Kwaka dealer
So I've made myself a stone guard out of fine mesh - I was going to buy one from an Ebay dealer buy they were $100US + postage.
So to sum up: Protect your expensive radiator from harm by investing in a stone guard, the cost of mine was negligible - about $10 and a bit of time and effort.
You'll be glad you did...

Do you no if zx14 is the same radiator if it is i got a brand new won he can have for $400

[BIGBOSSMAN]

Hey dude, yes I think it is - send fatzx10r a pm, I don't think he's had the radiator repaired yet, possibly it could be unfixable.

Cheers!

[Gremlin]

Hey dude, yes I think it is - send fatzx10r a pm, I don't think he's had the radiator repaired yet, possibly it could be unfixable.

Knowing how other manufacturers have gone with their rads... I would guess the rad is much too flimsy to be fixed (I do hope I am wrong).

As soon as you try to touch them to fix em, they melt in your hands...

[Morcs]

Mt eden will sort the kwakas out pretty cheap.

[vgcspares]

Waste paper basket from the warehouse for $4.99 pair of scissors and the Chinese made expanded mesh did both the rad and oil cooler. Came black painted and still looks good. Helps if the rad comes with a plastic grill cos the mesh then wraps around it, so no sharp edges.

[steelestring]

Yea dude your gaurd looks great! I was wondering what mounting points you used on the kawa. and or any other bits needed to secure it. I got a couple to make up. My radiator already has been through some heavy fire and will be good to get it sorted.

[Gremlin]

These pics may help:
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/b...g?t=1225330407
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/b...g?t=1225330407

Basically, I zip tie it on above and below, but I make the grill so tight, that on the sides, it tucks into the radiator itself.

Above and below, there should be mounting points to loop the tie around, otherwise, you can also go through the bottom or top of the radiator itself, usually

[BIGBOSSMAN]

Interestingly take a look at my third pic - the fender in particular.
A ride up to Mangawhai just after I bought the bike resulted in damage to the fender - a stray stone (boulder) from phukking Eviltwin's ZX10R tore a chunk off the thing.
I was pissed off of course, but at least I could ride it home. If that had hit the rad I'd have needed a trailer + the cost of a replacement radiator I reckon. Not good.