Bent radiator! What do I do?

K

KC10Chief

Member

Oct 10, 2004

187

0

• Dec 11, 2004

• #1

I was out riding my KX today and fell on the trail and twisted my right radiator. The bottom is twisted about 30 degrees from the top. But, it didn't leak and I was able to ride it out of the woods and back to my truck. The plastic is bent a bit. The brackets on the radiator are torn off a little bit. Can I twist it back and take it to a radiator or an aluminum shop? My wife is not too crazy about me paying $300 for a new one since I just spent $300 on other mods. I'll try and get a pic up tomorrow. Thanks for any info! Matt

 

Senior KX Rider

Super Power AssClown

Nov 9, 1999

8,575

0

• Dec 11, 2004

• #2

Do an internet search, there are shops that specialize in MC radiators. I took a badly twisted one to a local radiator shop and they cut it straightened it and put it back together. Been three years and never a leak :)

 

B

buffmaster

Mi. Trail Riders

Member

Apr 11, 2001

558

0

• Dec 11, 2004

• #3

Been there, done that. The only other option is to look on that one online auction place ;) and see if they have one. I lucked out and got one a lil while ago to replace the one I did the same thing to years ago. There wasn't much of a problem when I did it, other than my cap was tweaked too, but putting my plastic back on has been a pain ever since.

 

R

RACINRAY

Member

Feb 18, 2004

100

0

• Dec 11, 2004

• #4

call youre local bike shop they might have a rad shop they deal with or just call a few rad shops youre self i am sure one fo them have seen this before .the end result is fixed for a lot cheaper and turn around time so you can get back out riding :cool:

 

evenslower

~SPONSOR~

N. Texas SP

Nov 7, 2001

1,234

0

• Dec 11, 2004

• #5

http://www.motorcycleradiators.com/


They've done two for me over recent years. Terry is a great guy, his prices are reasonable, and his work is outstanding.

 

R

rikhek

Member

Nov 3, 2004

67

0

• Dec 12, 2004

• #6

Do not bend it back. Pretty much sure to leak if you do. Believe me, I found out the hard way...........

Rick

 

K

KC10Chief

Member

Oct 10, 2004

187

0

• Dec 12, 2004

• Thread starter
• #7

So if I don't bend it back, then what do I do? Matt

 

R

rikhek

Member

Nov 3, 2004

67

0

• Dec 12, 2004

• #8

Can't you just leave it like it is and ride? Thirty degrees is not much of a bend. Throw some JB Weld on the "torn brackets" and ride. It will actually give the bike some character. If the cosmetics bother you ride it like it is until you can get one on that auction site.

 

K

KC10Chief

Member

Oct 10, 2004

187

0

• Dec 13, 2004

• Thread starter
• #9

I took it off last night and I would say the radiator is twisted about 45 degrees. I would ride it like it is except that it makes the plastic bulge WAY out and my leg is sticking WAY out. I was able to take a heat gun I use for my RC planes and heat the plastic and get it back into shape. You can't tell anything even happened to it. I'm going to take the radiator to a shop today and see what they can do. I might even send it to Mylars in Utah. Matt

 

V

va_yzrider

Member

Apr 28, 2003

353

0

• Dec 13, 2004

• #10

Once you get it back in order, spend some money on radiator braces (Works Connection makes nice ones). They will save you all this hassle down the road.

 

O

oldgoat

Member

Oct 12, 2003

40

0

• Dec 13, 2004

• #11

evenslower said:

http://www.motorcycleradiators.com/


They've done two for me over recent years. Terry is a great guy, his prices are reasonable, and his work is outstanding.

Click to expand...

I'll second that , Great person to deal with and outstanding work IMO

 

W

wanaride

~SPONSOR~

Jul 18, 2003

492

0

• Dec 13, 2004

• #12

I'll "third" the recommendation for Terry Myler in Utah...he straightened out my KDX200 radiator and it looks good as new. Fixed it and shipped it the same day he received it. His prices are reasonable too.

By the way, radiator braces won't prevent your radiator from bending. I had Works Connection rad braces on my bike and the tree didn't care; it twisted my radiator and shroud anyway! :( I do suspect that the rad braces minimized the bending though.

 

K

KC10Chief

Member

Oct 10, 2004

187

0

• Dec 13, 2004

• Thread starter
• #13

I took the radiator this morning to a shop close to my house. The guy fixed a radiator that was in terrible shape in a car I used to have and it lasted for years. He said he could get it back in shape and that he would fix any spots that might eventually leak and he would pressure test it. All for $30 and done by tomorrow afternoon. Not a bad deal. If he screws it up, I'll send it to Mylars. The guy I took it to says he has fixed a lot of dirtbike and street bike radiators that were in worse shape than mine. I am also going to order some of the Works Connection braces. Matt

 

K

KC10Chief

Member

Oct 10, 2004

187

0

• Dec 13, 2004

• Thread starter
• #14

I took you guys up on your advice and ordered the Works Connection braces from Dennis Kirk. Hopefully they will be in this week. I should have my radiator back tomorrow and I should be in business for riding this weekend! Matt

 

P

pyromaniac

Member

Jun 25, 2000

377

0

• Dec 14, 2004

• #15

I saw a bike in a shop that had welded his own radiator protection on the frame, looked very strong. If you dont mind welding on your frame that will give you alot protection and wont cost much.

 

V

va_yzrider

Member

Apr 28, 2003

353

0

• Dec 15, 2004

• #16

9 times out of 10 the WC braces will save your radiator. However, if you smack a tree really hard at just the right angle, nothing is going to save it. I ride 100% motocross, so hitting trees isn't a problem for me. However, when you go over a berm and lay it down just right, the top of the berm almost always slams the radiator and shroud pretty hard. I've yet to bend a radiator since putting the WC radiator braces on my bikes (knock on wood).

 

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pyromaniac

Member

Jun 25, 2000

377

0

• Dec 23, 2004

• #17

Check out my radiator protection i made last evning. I believe it gives a heck lot more protection than for example WC radiator braces and its alot cheaper too. They doesnt almost provide any side impact protection, only making it a bit harder to bend the mounts. It works on my KTM and may work on other brands, with a little modifying it should work on any bike.

http://int.pixum.com/members/pyromaniac