Hot ankles and other parts

[dulcimerbob]

OK, I've used the search engine and really have not found an answer. The engine heat bothers me and I do wear jeans and tall boots. This is my first full faired bike and it is hot here in Ga. I have seen the air wings but cannot spare the money for them. Has anybody fabbed anything on the cheap that could help my ventilation problems ?
Thanks

[debron]

I remember seeing plans for heat shields someplace, possibly in the tech section accessed from the AVA home page (which is why you couldn't find them with the Search,) but I'm not sure. Contact Don Medina, President of the Nor Cal Voyagers. He has full-size drawings of both left and right side for heat shields. I got some from him at the Western Regional Rally.

Edit: Found it. It's in the Members Only forum. Here's the link for those who are members. Don's were a little different (better looking I think) and fit on standard 8.5 x 11 paper.

[Nathan (South Carolina)]

OK, I've used the search engine and really have not found an answer. The engine heat bothers me and I do wear jeans and tall boots. This is my first full faired bike and it is hot here in Ga. I have seen the air wings but cannot spare the money for them. Has anybody fabbed anything on the cheap that could help my ventilation problems ?
Thanks

I have air wings and the air wings will not solve your problem because they direct air upwards to the driver and passenger. Try placing your lower air vents facing down so that the airflow will direct the heat away from your legs. I have that same problem with the left side of the engine when the radiator fan comes on.

[dulcimerbob]

Thanks for the replies, I'll see what I can do

[Mr Jensee]

I must have an exceptional Voyager XII, was out riding with friends last Saturday, a good 5 hrs. The temperature was 98 degrees, heat index 110, the only place I wasn't hot was around my legs and feet. Not wearing anything special either. We had to finally go home due to everyone getting dehydrated even though we stopped often for fluid breaks. I have a naked bike that puts out 5 times the heat on a summer day than does my XII.

[David (N. Alabama)]

I must have an exceptional Voyager XII, was out riding with friends last Saturday, a good 5 hrs. The temperature was 98 degrees, heat index 110, the only place I wasn't hot was around my legs and feet. Not wearing anything special either. We had to finally go home due to everyone getting dehydrated even though we stopped often for fluid breaks. I have a naked bike that puts out 5 times the heat on a summer day than does my XII.

It makes me wonder if some of these bikes are missing the gaskets that go between the engine and the fairing to keep the heat from the radiator from getting to the rider. All the heat from the radiator should be going out the side vents on the lower fairing.

I never noticed any heat from the Voyager XII. I did notice the lack of air when sitting behind that fairing though.

[Mike in Pekin , Il]

Put some socks on!!!

[dulcimerbob]

Gosh, why didn't I think of that ? Now put a sock in it

[Mr Jensee]

I must have an exceptional Voyager XII, was out riding with friends last Saturday, a good 5 hrs. The temperature was 98 degrees, heat index 110, the only place I wasn't hot was around my legs and feet. Not wearing anything special either. We had to finally go home due to everyone getting dehydrated even though we stopped often for fluid breaks. I have a naked bike that puts out 5 times the heat on a summer day than does my XII.

It makes me wonder if some of these bikes are missing the gaskets that go between the engine and the fairing to keep the heat from the radiator from getting to the rider. All the heat from the radiator should be going out the side vents on the lower fairing.

I never noticed any heat from the Voyager XII. I did notice the lack of air when sitting behind that fairing though.

David I'll bet that is exactly the problem. My bike still has all the original stuff on it! Well if you don't count the mirrors!

[Nathan (South Carolina)]

My bike has the gaskets. That was the first thing that I checked. Even with the gaskets, air can still get around the top of the cylnder heads. The only time that I feel the heat is on extended freeway rides where you have 70 mph wind plus the radiator fan air blowing against the engine. I know, stay off of the freeway! When my bike was new, I don't recall any issues with engine heat but after 10-1/2 years and over 130,000 miles, maybe the rubber gaskets are getting old and not performing their job. I did not start noticing the heat until last summer while returning home from Louisiana. But if that was the case, why were engine heat shields sold a few years ago?

[debron]

...why were engine heat shields sold a few years ago?

To make money!

[David (N. Alabama)]

...why were engine heat shields sold a few years ago?

To make money!

...for the guys who wear shorts and sneakers..

[dulcimerbob]

found my problem PO had misaligned the plastic on the lower allowing air to come right of the engine on to my feet. Fixed it right no more excessive heat

[Skibou]

How did the PO missalign the plastic? Some of us in the frozen north might appreciate a little engine heat. LOL

[dulcimerbob]

just loosen the lower plastic piece and pull it onto the crash bar about an inch. I may pull mine back this winter on both sides

[wmh9680]

I always get heat on my feet and ankes, I'll have to check this outCourse in cold weather it would be nice to have heat there. . Thanks, Mike

[Mr Jensee]

I keep seeing HD riders in my town riding around in shorts and flip flops. Tell me they aren't experiencing heat issues?

[Chris near Kansas City]

...why were engine heat shields sold a few years ago?

To make money!

Partially right. The heat shields were made by a guy down in Texas, which, typically, has some of the hotter riding days. They do make a difference. Help keep you warmer in the winter too.

My feet do not get as hot when on the highway bars (with the air coming out of the radiator/fairing side vents) now that I have some decent boots.

[Bill O]

...why were engine heat shields sold a few years ago?

To make money!

Partially right. The heat shields were made by a guy down in Texas, which, typically, has some of the hotter riding days. They do make a difference. Help keep you warmer in the winter too.

My feet do not get as hot when on the highway bars (with the air coming out of the radiator/fairing side vents) now that I have some decent boots.

One thing I've noticed over the years, when working on other Voyager 12's, is that many of the fairings internal heat deflectors/shield have been damaged or removed by PO's for some reason. In cooler environments this is probably not an issue, but in the hot locations, you can get some very weird hot air paths from the bike.

I find it has always been better to keep all fairing internal deflectors functional and in good shape for the most comfortable riding environment. (Not to confuse this from the intentional removal of vent tubes and such to allow for heat to the lower fairing vent for those who live in the frigged north!)

Also, the custom Heat Shields can still be found on the occasional Voyager XII. They do work to keep engine heat off of the riders, but, if they are used in the excessively hot southwest, they will cause a vapor lock when the bike is shut down, such as stopping for gas. With the shields in place, all the engine heat is held in around the carburetors. I've seen some very nice porting arrangements with the custom shields to minimize this but still keep the shielding effect for the rider. (Yes, I do have a set of these!)

Bill O