Radiator Guards?

husker1 · May 25, 2012

I'm trying to find some guards to suit the bike, but have read mixed reviews of the R&G ones (attached using cable ties - seems a bit Heath Robinson for this kind of bike) and the quality is not great.

Similarly, for the Evotech ones - you need to buy two and from what I've read, the fit on other bikes (eg Ducati Monsters) may be a bit dodgy. However, the pic of the lower guard on their website does look quite good - but the mesh seems quite dense (perhaps restricting airflow?)

Cox Racing don't have one for the Pani yet, and I don't think there is a UK distributor.

Rizoma may have one in the pipeline.

Anyone have any other options? How difficult is it to make your own? What would you need? Are there any custom makers in the UK?

PaddockStand · May 25, 2012

I'm not sure they're a good idea. Looking at the evotech one, it's made of perforated metal plate (assume Aluminium) and looks like it will significantly reduce the airflow over the radiator. Given that there's quite a bit of heat around this area already, reducing the cooling efficiency might not be the best idea. Never had any rad damage without a guard, anyone else had a radiator damaged?

husker1 · May 25, 2012

Reduced airflow is a concern - good point to consider. I must admit I've never had damage to the radiator before.

paulk · May 25, 2012

My take is a rad gaurd is essential after holing my 1098. Currently desperately in need of one as I do not want to hurt my new lady. Anybody else know of other makes available. Putting on with cable ties is not uncommon

husker1 · May 25, 2012

Paul - was it your upper or lower radiator that got spiked on your 1098?

paulk · May 25, 2012

Husker1 (Is that a name?

)

It was the lower rad ... my oil rad and I know ouch ....I was ..... lucky but then the sun shines on the good.. Ducati aylesbury were great helping me through my time of need

husker1 · May 25, 2012

paulk said:
Husker1 (Is that a name? )

It was the lower rad ... my oil rad and I know ouch ....I was ..... lucky but then the sun shines on the good.. Ducati aylesbury were great helping me through my time of need

The husker1 is a long story, which isn't that interesting...

Nasty injury to the rad - if you come across any decent guards, please post.

Gulf Coast · May 25, 2012

Evo tech are showing pictures of their lower rad but not upper yet. http://www.evotech-performance.com/...08d6e5fb8d27136e95/l/o/lower_radiator_1_1.jpg

Costs 56GBP or $105. I've holed the radiator in my GSXR 750 track bike and what a pain. This could be a good way to spend some insurance money?

iiiofiv · May 25, 2012

Gulf Coast said:
Evo tech are showing pictures of their lower rad but not upper yet. http://www.evotech-performance.com/...08d6e5fb8d27136e95/l/o/lower_radiator_1_1.jpg

Costs 56GBP or $105. I've holed the radiator in my GSXR 750 track bike and what a pain. This could be a good way to spend some insurance money?

That looks awesome! Clean, neat and likely very little air flow obstruction.

I'll be looking into this as well as I've holed the oil cooler on my S4Rs and it was indeed a pain.

Thanks very much for posting.

Beanflicker · May 26, 2012

Why don't you guys make your own....... I did.!

Less than £20 Uk ( about $30 )

You'll find a "How to" in another thread.

.

spinkick · May 26, 2012

Wow, nice job!

iiiofiv · May 26, 2012

spinkick said:
Wow, nice job!

+ 1

husker1 · May 27, 2012

Great job Beanflicker!

I read your "how to" post - a few questions please:

1. Could you explain in a bit more detail how you secured your lower guard?
2. What did you use to accurately bend the edges of mesh to create the overlaps?
3. How did you create the elegant curvature on the top part of the lower guard?

iceman · May 27, 2012

Rad Guard in Australia do some top quality guards. Just emailed them about the 1199, when they get back to me I'll let you know. They ship internationally too...nothing on their website about the 1199 just yet though.

have a look at the 1198 ones for a idea... I have these on my S1KRR

Ducati 1098/1198 All Models - Radiator & Oil Guard Set - Radguard Store

RiderGary · May 27, 2012

Well done Beanflicker! They look great.
I did get an email from Cox Racing saying they ARE in process of making guards for the Panigale and wanted to know of interest in the product so they can judge how many to make on their first run. So if your in the U.S. and interested, go to their website and let them know. I have one of their guards on my Gixxer and it looks/ works great.

Beanflicker · May 28, 2012

husker1 said:
Great job Beanflicker!

I read your "how to" post - a few questions please:

1. Could you explain in a bit more detail how you secured your lower guard?

If you look closely at the pic you'll see a silver wire going across the guard. It's st/steel lockwire. The guard sits in place within the recess of the black surround and the wire is tensioned across the front. I drilled two small holes, 1.5mm diameter, 8mm apart on each side of the black surround and then lockwired into place. the guard cant move due to the tight fit withn the recess.

2. What did you use to accurately bend the edges of mesh to create the
overlaps?

I made a card template to fit the recess aperture exactly. I then, originally, made a cardboard template and then laid this on top of the mesh. I added 8mm all round when cutting the mesh to allow for the fold. I then took a piece of 8mm thick MDF board and laid this on top of the mesh, spaced centrally, then, with the use of a rubber mallet, folded the mesh to a right angle all round. No need to hit the mesh hard, just a gentle fold. Trim off any spurs that stick out. It's alloy mesh so very easy to cut with tin snips.

This answers your next question about the curve.

All in all, took about an hour and thirty minutes including removing/replacing side panels.

Once I made a perfect card template I then made one from 8mm MDF. This means the initial mesh shape doesn't have to be so exact as when folded all round you can see any high spots/spurs and just trim them off.

Hope that helps.

Oh, forgot to mention. The £20/$30 1m x.5m mesh sheet has enough left to make another 2 sets of guards.!
Bargain !! and no need to wait for a supply date!

.

.

Wallaroo · May 28, 2012

iceman said:
Rad Guard in Australia do some top quality guards. Just emailed them about the 1199, when they get back to me I'll let you know. They ship internationally too...nothing on their website about the 1199 just yet though.

have a look at the 1198 ones for a idea... I have these on my S1KRR

Ducati 1098/1198 All Models - Radiator & Oil Guard Set - Radguard Store

The owner is away for 2 weeks, once he gets back they will be on to it, trouble it getting hold of a bike.

husker1 · May 28, 2012

Beanflicker
Thanks for the extra info. Got the panels tonight from B&Q. Getting the stainless steel lockwire this week and I will be making my panels later this week.

Beanflicker · May 29, 2012

husker1 said:
Beanflicker
Thanks for the extra info. Got the panels tonight from B&Q. Getting the stainless steel lockwire this week and I will be making my panels later this week.

Sweet.!

Look forward to seeing the end results....

.

PaddockStand · May 29, 2012

Thanks beanflicker, this looks much better than the commercial ones released so far and I'm going to give your design a try. Looks like its a lot less restrictive in terms of airflow. Given the amount of heat generated below 40mph, have you noticed any negative effect on cooling efficiency?

Radiator Guards?

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