KTM radiator recommendations?

[takitimu]

To crash or not to crash, that is the question (to bastardise some pommie git)



Right, fitted the radiators, I have at the same time changed radiator hose to silicon aftermarket things which contributes to the confusion.

Radiators bolt up ok, they are about 5mm thicker than stock and that's sort of ok.
The hose connectons are not aligned as well, they are ok but rely on some kinking of the hoses to fit, some of this is the new hoses, some is the radiator fittings. Overall this is ok. The throttle cables are a bit tight as the thicker radiator squeezes them, remember this is a KTM and the Austrians are notoriously tight on their clearances.
The shrouds don't line up at all, I will make these fit.

Ok, I have to sort out the trottle cables and the shrouds but that is a small price to pay for saving $1200, I'm happy to live with it.

May be able to give the bike a run this weekend, if so I will report back about viscous trees and radiator performance.. when's the next GNCC?

I'll be real curious how they go, they look pretty nice.

[Crisis management]

I'll be real curious how they go, they look pretty nice.

I seem doomed to not get to ride off road this week.....

Finished fiddling with the radiators, still a bit tight around the throttle cables but acceptable, the shrouds fitted with a bit of massaging. The shroud and radiator "deflectors" (fit in front of the radiator?) do not align with the mounting holes, a good 5 to 10mm out so I will need to get some radiator protection for the front face, too many branches and stuff try and stick themselves through there.
The bleed screw on the non filler side is laughable, its a 6mm bolt (which is ok) with a rubber washer (which is not alright), however the KTM part screws right in.

Generally the fit is ok, the edge of one radiator is just touching the frame and I will keep an eye on that but everything else is ok, if money was not an issue I would buy new as the fit and quality of OEM parts is to a far higher standard but there is no way to justify $1400 on a 6 year old bike.

Anyway, I have it ready to run, unfortunately some numb nuts forgot to order his replacement clutch slave cylinder and for some reason oil pisses out of there when I started the bike, anyone know a competent mechanic?

So, it runs but I haven't done more than start it and then rapidly turn it off, maybe this weekend?

[pete.ktm]

if money was not an issue I would buy new as the fit and quality of OEM parts is to a far higher standard but there is no way to justify $1400 on a 6 year old bike.

cheers for the update.

sounds like a $US150 (each side last time i replaced mine, but you usually only bang one hopefully) good condition second hand original off e-bay is a safer bet. just gotta hope one is available when you need it.

[Crisis management]

cheers for the update.

sounds like a $US150 (each side last time i replaced mine, but you usually only bang one hopefully) good condition second hand original off e-bay is a safer bet. just gotta hope one is available when you need it.

That's what I did with the 200 and it worked well however, when I got my current radiators inspected by the radiator guys it was surprising how close to holing through they were from corrosion (despite using the right coolant). If you get into that position first get the existing radiators tested....

[Crisis management]

Finally got to ride the bike at Maramarua this weekend, radiators worked well, nothing leaked (despite my best attempts at crash testing) or fell off, all looks good, I'm happy!
I fitted an Oberon clutch slave cylinder as well and that was awesome, definately gave better feel to the clutch with a smoother action, best $150 spent.

[takitimu]

Finally got to ride the bike at Maramarua this weekend, radiators worked well, nothing leaked (despite my best attempts at crash testing) or fell off, all looks good, I'm happy!
I fitted an Oberon clutch slave cylinder as well and that was awesome, definately gave better feel to the clutch with a smoother action, best $150 spent.

Was it a lighter pull on the clutch as well ?, I'd never heard of the Oberon, looks very nice though.

I did try a Mid West Mountain engineering clutch lever & pulled the pin on it as it doesn't like being pulled back onto itself ( broke the rod which was a pain to fix ), but it definitely made the clutch pull lighter.

[Crisis management]

Was it a lighter pull on the clutch as well ?, I'd never heard of the Oberon, looks very nice though.

I did try a Mid West Mountain engineering clutch lever & pulled the pin on it as it doesn't like being pulled back onto itself ( broke the rod which was a pain to fix ), but it definitely made the clutch pull lighter.

Have a look at Oberon.com (whatever, english company), I have heard of them from road bikes and are very well rated, wider piston with double seals so no problems of the piston cocking over in the bore which is why the KTM slaves get sticky. I think it's a lighter pull but that is all dependant on the fluid viscosity (mineral oil on KTM, I used some 5 wt fork oil I had lying around) and feel between old worn out components and new (I've just spent a fortune so it must be good)....

I think it's lighter, but the best part is it's smoothness so clutch engagement and feathering feels far more controlable.

I am impressed; it's warranted, comes with gaskets, crush washers and clear instructions and was a good fit (and just about half price of OEM).

[takitimu]

Have a look at Oberon.com (whatever, english company), I have heard of them from road bikes and are very well rated, wider piston with double seals so no problems of the piston cocking over in the bore which is why the KTM slaves get sticky. I think it's a lighter pull but that is all dependant on the fluid viscosity (mineral oil on KTM, I used some 5 wt fork oil I had lying around) and feel between old worn out components and new (I've just spent a fortune so it must be good)....

I think it's lighter, but the best part is it's smoothness so clutch engagement and feathering feels far more controlable.

I am impressed; it's warranted, comes with gaskets, crush washers and clear instructions and was a good fit (and just about half price of OEM).

I had a look see, looked impressive, the only issue is they pull the pin around 2007 & I'm 2012 , the good news is I use brake fluid ).

Looked really nice to .