Online: speedzter

Cylinder cooling fan

  • speedzter
    speedzter
    5 years ago
    I have a Cylinder head temp gauge set up on my Dyna running a custom 120.
    It maintains a decent temperature while riding, but gets a bit hotter than I'd like in slow traffic.
    None of the available fans do anything for me , and are pretty expensive.
    I ordered a Spal motorcycle radiator cooling fan from O/s for about $70 and fabricated a housing to mount in place of the horn.
    Some of the other units use glorified computer fans.


    The fan fits quite neatly, and blends in more than the photo's show.
    It will just have a manual switch so I can choose when it's needed rather than a temperature switch.
    Haven't done much testing, but it should work well, it moves a lot of air between the cylinders and also channels out through
    the fins towards the front and rear.





  • Wideglider
    Wideglider
    5 years ago
    Looks like you've done some extensive testing & found a component that achieves what you wanted.
    Funny how our HD traditionalist stance (a staunch resistance to water cooled engines) drives us to find these after-market bolt-on 'solutions'.
    Don't worry, I'm part of the HD flock - I myself have a bolt-on oil cooler with thermostatically controlled fan for my evo. The guy's with modern jap sports bikes would be bemused. 
  • Baloffski
    Baloffski
    5 years ago
    Quoting Wideglider on 11 Mar 2019 11:28 AMedited: 11 Mar 2019 11:35 AM

    Looks like you've done some extensive testing & found a component that achieves what you wanted.
    Funny how our HD traditionalist stance (a staunch resistance to water cooled engines) drives us to find these after-market bolt-on 'solutions'.
    Don't worry, I'm part of the HD flock - I myself have a bolt-on oil cooler with thermostatically controlled fan for my evo. The guy's with modern jap sports bikes would be bemused. 

    Am flocking with you ma, Had one water number in 1984 Honda 1000. T"was different but am old school boy. Love the AIR.
    We do adapt.
  • fatbat
    fatbat
    5 years ago
    Your mounting looks very neat (as does the bike)  Will be good hear how it goes.  Can you share the 120 engine details?
  • tussuck
    tussuck
    5 years ago
    Is it setup to blow or draw air though the jugs?
  • speedzter
    speedzter
    5 years ago
    The fan is a draw through unit, but I'm using the fans "exhaust" to blow on the motor.
    As the fan has a large motor on the back, it was easier to make it look neater with the flat side of the fan facing out.
    It actually gives the air pattern a bit wider spread.

  • imoo6170
    imoo6170
    5 years ago
    Good job - nice and neat and functional
  • speedzter
    speedzter
    5 years ago
    Quoting fatbat on 11 Mar 2019 06:58 PM

    Your mounting looks very neat (as does the bike)  Will be good hear how it goes.  Can you share the 120 engine details?

    It's in a 2000 FXDX and I'm using SE pro cases, SE cylinders and pistons, S&S 120r style crank.
    I had Hoody measure the pistons, cylinders and a few other things for me, and then I assembled it.

    110 style SE heads with oversize valves, AV&V .650 springs,and porting by WFO Larry from the US.
    Using a stock late hydraulic cam plate with SE pump.
    D&D Boarzilla pipe.
    It's fed by a 48mm Mikuni, S&S manifold, and just replaced a home made Heavy breather with a Zippers one piece Maxflow air cleaner.
    I started with Wood TW8 conversion Cams, and now Andrews TW67's.
    This was a full build from parts, and not a crate motor.

    As always, it's still a work in  (slow) progress .
  • fatbat
    fatbat
    5 years ago
    Thanks for sharing the info about your engine. Sounds like it's been very well thought out and no expense spared. Good you can assemble which many of us wouldn't have time and/or ability to do. Curious to know how the transaction went with wfo Larry in the states? And why you chose him for headwork. Sorry if this is irrelevant to your fan but good to learn more 
  • paulybronco
    paulybronco
    5 years ago
    Good solution
  • speedzter
    speedzter
    5 years ago
    I had already used Larry previously for a set of his stage 2+ heads.
    I went with Larry for the head work mainly because of his reputation and runs on the board.
    He is one of the best in the US, and most of his work is just Cylinder heads.

    I'd hate to think how many heads he would have put through his shop !
    And you won't get better work for the price he charges.

    He's a busy man though, and can be tricky getting work organized.
  • fatbat
    fatbat
    5 years ago
    Thanks speedzter that's good to know. At least our winter is their summer which might make Larry's wait time less if orders are placed then.  Hope your bike is nearly complete now and the fan reduces some heat in traffic.   I'm waiting for some info back from a local head guy....
  • speedzter
    speedzter
    5 years ago
    Had a test and tune run today to check out a few things.

    I gave the cooling fan it's first proper test, and have to say I'm very happy !
    Low 30's here today, so perfect weather.
    The bike wanted to run about 130 C when cruising at 110k, but temp would creep up in a 60 zone.
    Turned the fan on, and temps dropped to below 120 C.
    Funny thing is the fan actually worked in lowering the temperature even when doing around 110 km/h.

    After I got home, I left the bike running while I opened the shed, took my bike gear off, and by the time
    I pulled it in the hot shed and let it idle some more, and it was getting close to 150 C.
    I  switched on the fan, and the front head temp gradually dropped to below 120.
    It seems it would happily idle forever without cooking itself to death.

    Also checked the AFR's with my wideband after the air filter change, just need to move the O²  sensor to the front and double check.
    And bumped up the rebound a few more notches on the new Bitubo shocks to clear up some cornering wallow .
  • Nath103
    Nath103
    5 years ago
    No thoughts to putting a fan on the oil cooler for stop start traffic?
  • speedzter
    speedzter
    5 years ago
    Quoting Nath103 on 26 Mar 2019 11:08 PM

    No thoughts to putting a fan on the oil cooler for stop start traffic?

    Thought about it, but really no need now with the cylinder cooling fan.
    If the engine stays cooler, the oil won't overheat in the first place.
    But in extreme heat conditions, definitely worthwhile.

    As a side benefit with this fan setup, some of the air is actually channeled forward to the oil cooler via the cooling fins .
  • Grease Monkey
    Grease Monkey
    5 years ago
    A casual glance and you would think it was different horn, good job cobber, unobtrusive and effective.