A question to all. I am working on making a set of stainless steel crash bar (permanent engine guard) covers. Speaking from a cooling perspective, has anyone used covers on their 1500 in hot , warmer weather?
I see cruisers with permanent covers that are vented but if I were to install (see photo) permanent covers will this cause my engine to overheat in warmer weather? My thinking is not due to the bike being liquid cooled and the covers are not blocking flow to the rad, just the sides of the engine. I could have some slots carved into covers as a design feature but is it really necessary?
Any thoughts?
My elephant ears have been on in both cold and hot weather, no effect on coolant temp. since the radiator is unobstructed. I would wonder about those chrome trim covers people put on the rad. doing more damage....
Pretty much what I thought , I see air cooled full dressers (Harleys) with engine guard covers and they seem to do alright. I will post pic's when it is done. Thanks for the reply.
Quote from: RockinRonny on April 30, 2017, 16:53:07 PM
Pretty much what I thought , I see air cooled full dressers (Harleys) with engine guard covers and they seem to do alright. I will post pic's when it is done. Thanks for the reply.
True that Harley air cooled touring full dressers have engine guard covers (lowers). Those lowers are engineered so that they direct air toward the engine to aid in cooling.
So if Uncle Ronny gets Uncle Bob to add some louvers or such an animal to the lowers he will be better off then......I did suggest this idea to him.......Uncle Bob can fab near anything.....lol.....
No. The bike is liquid cooled with the radiator unaffected by the covers. The fins on the engine help with cooling, but the impact should be minimal. They will impact YOUR cooling.
Thanks all, I will come up with an idea. Maybe incorporate a design into the guards that will allow some air.
I have elephant ears for my engine guards, but I take them off in the warmer weather, when I don't need to keep myself warm. If I don't take them off, then I get a lot more of the engine heat rising up and cooking me, at a time when I don't need to be cooked.
Quote from: DC on May 05, 2017, 15:26:31 PM
I have elephant ears for my engine guards, but I take them off in the warmer weather, when I don't need to keep myself warm. If I don't take them off, then I get a lot more of the engine heat rising up and cooking me, at a time when I don't need to be cooked.
X2
I am currently running with my "bike chaps" on. I am also running fork mounted wind defectors. I typically keep the chaps on until warmer weather. Road yesterday in 40ºF weather. Chaps make a big difference. Never had a problem with overheating.