Exposure on Radiator and Connectors

[Superdave54]

I hear rocks and debris coming off my front wheel when I drive on gravel or through dirt on paved roads. During my annual winter cleanup and polish I decided to check for damage.

Some of what you see is dirt, but a lot of it is rock chipping. Even though there is a screen on the radiator fins, the bottom tank, the two heat sink connectors are not protected.

Here are the wiring and connectors for the heat sinks. I'm not sure what the heat sinks are for, maybe voltage regulation, but I'd bet I'd be stranded if one or both of them was cut or broken.

I made a guard out of 16 gauge screening I found at a local metal supply place. I backed up where the bolts are with 3/4 inch by 1/8 inch flat bar. I bought longer bolts not only to accommodate the thickness of the screen and flat bar, but for a stack of washers between the guard and mounting to hold it away from the radiator. Total cost, less than $20.

I hope that not only will this help with rocks and dirt, but keep sticks, branches and other debris from damaging the lower radiator tank or the heat sink wiring and connectors.

[Lucasind]

....Very nice modification there ! "Necessity IS the mother of invention"...
mudflap ?

[Superdave54]

I looked all over for somebody who made a front mudflap or fender extension, with no success. After standing back and looking at the bike, I thought it would look weird to have one on the front and not the back, especially if it was home-made. My guard pretty much disappears under there anyway.