Summer in Oklahoma is here. We have already had a few days over 100 degrees and it looks like it is going to be like this for the entire summer. Since going through my entire cooling system I have not had any problems with the coolant system. I have never seen any engine temps over 220 degrees. However, when the ambient temps are hovering at 100 or better, you can tell the cooling system is just barely adequate for these elevated temps. Fan kicks in at 215 but takes longer and longer for the engine temp to drop as the amibent temps climb. Also, when running down the highway when the fan is running it takes forever for it to shut off as the left radiator is bascially not operational due to the fan fighting the normal air flow. So, I installed a 3 position, 16 amp, SPDT waterproof switch, # NTE-54-356W, and a waterproof rubber boot, # CES-66-5001 from VETCO Electronics. I have experimented with this set up a little an it works well. The forward position leaves the OE system intact. The middle position turns the fan completely off. The rear ppsition turns the fan on all the time. Now I can turn the fan on whenever I want, turn it completely off when I want, or leave it alone and let the OE system do its own thing. At 102 degrees ambient temperature, if I leave the switch in the normal position so the fan turns on at 215 degrees, it takes forever for the engine temps to drop. If I cut the fan in at 200 degrees, it starts dropping pretty quickly. When I leave town and hit the higway, I turn the fan off and the engine temps rapidly drop to around 185 to 190 depending on my speed. So far I like the set up and hope this helps anyone that lives down here by me that is dealing with, from the infamous words of weather man Gary England, "The dog days of summer". Also, my bike is usually pretty dirty as I ride her daily but my wife forced me to wash and wax her as we have a 4th of July ride planned and she refused to ride with me because of how my old girl looked. Enjoy and wishing everyone a happy and safe 4th of July.
I did that same mod about 8 years ago when the thermister on the radiator burned out and wasnt working at all, the part was expensive and I was broke so I had a switch lying around and I made a harness to turn on the fan by the switch.
[image: View Post]HispanicSlammer, on 03 July 2012 - 09:38 AM, said:
I did that same mod about 8 years ago when the thermister on the radiator burned out and wasnt working at all, the part was expensive and I was broke so I had a switch lying around and I made a harness to turn on the fan by the switch.
The thread you made on that is the reason I did the mod. Thanks for the write up.
Excellent idea you two. I imagine this'll help in Chicago traffic as well. Do you have any sort of wiring diagram to toss up here for us less knowledgeable types?
Well, I see the attaction of this set-up, but I would think that the "completely off" option might not be worth having, its marginal benefit being most likely offset by the potential risk of having the fan not operate when it should. I'd stick with the traditional 2-position fan control switch, myself (and have done, on other bikes).
[image: View Post]Crewwolfy, on 03 July 2012 - 07:23 PM, said:
Excellent idea you two. I imagine this'll help in Chicago traffic as well. Do you have any sort of wiring diagram to toss up here for us less knowledgeable types?
No diagram. I know others have done it differently but this is all I did. Take the wire that plugs on to the thermo switch and cut it about 2 inches from the end. Then take some 16 gauge wire and solder to both ends of the wire you just cut. Make a 3rd wire with a grounding ring on the end and ground it where you want. I used the bolt that secures the radiator in place. The wire that comes from the fan is key on hot, this one goes to the center terminal of the switch. Then you can put the wire that goes to the thermo switch on one of the end terminals of the switch and the grounding wire you made to the other end terminal. Just have to make sure that you pay attention to the switch position and temperature reading, which most of us obsessively do, to make sure you don't forget and leave it in the off position.
[image: View Post]JZH, on 03 July 2012 - 10:48 PM, said:
Well, I see the attaction of this set-up, but I would think that the "completely off" option might not be worth having, its marginal benefit being most likely offset by the potential risk of having the fan not operate when it should. I'd stick with the traditional 2-position fan control switch, myself (and have done, on other bikes).
Ciao,
In 105 degree heat and forecasted to get hotter, you will understand why. I know I really pay attention to what the bike is doing as I ride. Force of habit I guess as my Dad taught me to always pay attention to the gauges and things while driving. It is becoming habit now when I see the temps back down to normal I just reach over and flip the switch into the normal position. But you are definately right, you must be paying attention to your bike and do not forget to turn it back on even though the bike has a shut off mode built in to kill the engine if it does overheat.
:+1: on this mod. I had purchased a VTR fan blade but now having done this mod, I'm not sure I'll install it. This works surprisingly well. I used it climbing a twisty mountain pass where I had cars ahead of me going about 15mph. Switched the fan on, temp stayed below 200. Once a place to pass opened up, switch back to normal and all's well. Same drill at stoplights. I have the fan on while rolling to a stop, and then just before I get rolling, switch it back to normal operation. You do have to have your head in the game though. Forgetting about this and idling at a stop light could be trouble.
I had to re-read the post several times to get the wiring through my thick skull, but it's really not hard at all. I did a variation on the wiring slightly by creating a jumper wire from the fan hot lead to the center pole of the switch. If anything goes wrong with the switch, I can just unplug the jumper wire from the hot lead and place it back on the thermo switch and return it to stock by simply bypassing the switch.
:+1: on this mod. I had purchased a VTR fan blade but now having done this mod, I'm not sure I'll install it. This works surprisingly well. I used it climbing a twisty mountain pass where I had cars ahead of me going about 15mph. Switched the fan on, temp stayed below 200. Once a place to pass opened up, switch back to normal and all's well. Same drill at stoplights. I have the fan on while rolling to a stop, and then just before I get rolling, switch it back to normal operation. You do have to have your head in the game though. Forgetting about this and idling at a stop light could be trouble.
I had to re-read the post several times to get the wiring through my thick skull, but it's really not hard at all. I did a variation on the wiring slightly by creating a jumper wire from the fan hot lead to the center pole of the switch. If anything goes wrong with the switch, I can just unplug the jumper wire from the hot lead and place it back on the thermo switch and return it to stock by simply bypassing the switch.
Thanks for posting this up.
That is a good idea. If the switch did ever go out while riding all you would have to do is plug the fan wire directly back to the thermoswitch. We have 105 + showing for the next 8 - 14 days so this really helps. I seldom have to turn the switch from the normal position. Only if I set at a light for a minute or so does she get up to 200 and then I turn the fan on manually. After getting up to speed and clean air, turn the fan completely off and she drops right back down. Then, as a precaution, turn it back to normal position. Glad it is working for you also.
Is there a way to make the fan turn on at 200 and bypass the whole manual turning on of the fan? I find it totally silly that this gen of bike heats up and the heat NEVER goes away. I have shut off my bike to return to it 2 hours later with the temp still at 140ish. Who's idea was it to put the radiator hose directly infront of the oil filter????
You would need to find a different thermo switch that fit and had a lower switching temperature. Anyone know the manufacturer part number (not Honda's p/n) for the themo switch?
It would be great to have a 200 deg thermo switch coupled with a switch slaved to the speed sensor that would shut the fan off when a set speed - maybe 30 or 35 mph - was reached.
It would be great to have a 200 deg thermo switch coupled with a switch slaved to the speed sensor that would shut the fan off when a set speed - maybe 30 or 35 mph - was reached.
If someone builds this I'll buy it. The thermoswitch will to close at 200(ish) and open around 190.
End of thread · 15 posts recoveredWayback Machine snapshot 23 Feb 2015