Advice needed, radiator had a ding......

[Lutin]

Just been cleaning the bike (2004 TA) and found this in the right hand (sitting on the bike) radiator -



As you can see from the shadow, whatever piled into the radiator was either very heavy or moving very fast, or both! The plastic grill has been broken right on the "cross" as it were, so that dissipated some energy. Haven't measured the depth yet, but maybe I should.......


Any guesses as to what it might have been?

Any advice on whether I should dismantle the bike to have a better look or not? No loss of coolant so far. I suppose I should paint the exposed metal to prevent corrosion, I think that I can get a spray can in there.

So, thoughts people??

[stageonesimmo]

Some folk will be running around with their hair on fire telling you need to address that right away - me, I'd say leave well alone unless it starts to seep/leak - which it hasn't yet - its bent some of the tubes and destroyed a lot of fins, but TBH it's not enough to warrant taking the thing out unless it starts to leak - then its just a case of cutting the fins out, snipping the affected pipes and crimping them over a couple of times, job done.......

Me, I'd not be worrying about it just yet - must say thoug I'm wondering what the hell hit you that hard without you knowing it! - Good job it wasn't in your visor!

[Lumiya]

Keep an eye on your temp, but as it's only about 1% of the surface area you should be OK as long as there's no leaks/seepage. What you can do is next time you have the rad off just poke a thin piece of metal from the back and straighten up the slats by pushing then outwards

[StumpyFingers]

Have you been firing chickens at the bike to test if it will fly?

It could be from a stone thrown up by a Toyota ( the vehicle in front is a Toyota)

[steveR]

Keep an eye on your temp, but as it's only about 1% of the surface area you should be OK as long as there's no leaks/seepage. What you can do is next time you have the rad off just poke a thin piece of metal from the back and straighten up the slats by pushing then outwards

I had to do a major fin opening exercise on the KMX, and found a HD cable tie excellent for the job. As you said, pushing the tod/wire whatever from the rear.

[chronyx]

Does anyone know if any other type of radiators fit the AT? Either from different bike or rad manufacturer. Is it possible to buy them straight from the manufacturer or would you have to go through Honda to get a new set?

[Lumiya]

New is normally expensive, When I was a courier I had a bolt fly from under someones tyres and puncture my rad on a CX, Honda wanted £250 for a new one but instead I found a small little rad place that replaced the internals for £74, it was like new when I got it back and they'd even repainted it

[AlanH]

If that's not leaking I wouldn't even bother trying to straighten the fins. As three of the pipes have been distorted, straightening fins is going to risk disturbing the bent bits which may just fracture. Spray a bit of black paint on just the affected bit to stop the rot and then leave well alone.

[Lutin]

Just dismantled the bike to have a better look at the ding that I picked up last year.



That's some damage! I've measured the depth of the hole at very near 9mm, which must be nearly half way through the radiator. Still not leaking and have just painted over the exposed metal to try to prevent corrosion as much as possible.

Still don't know when it happened or, indeed, what caused it. Maybe I was lucky that what ever it was, was not sharp edged. Mind you, I would then have been able to tell you exactly when and where it occurred.

Thank goodness for small mercies.



If anyone is interested, the camera is a Panasonic Lumix TZ5 using the built-in close-up mode and a white LED head torch for illumination.

[piguglyshandydrinker]

Just dismantled the bike to have a better look at the ding that I picked up last year.



That's some damage! I've measured the depth of the hole at very near 9mm, which must be nearly half way through the radiator. Still not leaking and have just painted over the exposed metal to try to prevent corrosion as much as possible.

Still don't know when it happened or, indeed, what caused it. Maybe I was lucky that what ever it was, was not sharp edged. Mind you, I would then have been able to tell you exactly when and where it occurred.

Thank goodness for small mercies.



If anyone is interested, the camera is a Panasonic Lumix TZ5 using the built-in close-up mode and a white LED head torch for illumination.

Wow, Lutin thats a fair old wallop!!!

If it's not leaking when run up to temperature it should be fine BUT if it was on my bike it'd always be on my mind.
I'd run with it for the time being & try & find a decent used replacement.