VFR Radiators

Discussion in '6th Generation 2002-2013' started by Greeneggs, Jul 13, 2021.

  1. Greeneggs

    Greeneggs New Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Nov 18, 2013
    Messages:
    17
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    31
    Location:
    Kyle Texas
    Map
    Just wondering if anybody has tried the Chinese Radiators over on the fbay site. I read awhile back that someone had a bad experience with a rock and the VTR fan blade exchange and it ate his radiator. I used one from these from the same sellers on a 2 stroke KTM 7 years ago and sold the bike last year. Never had a problem with it and as it was advertised it did have larger capacity. At the time the KTM part was $500+ and the fbay was just over $100. I did not expect much out of the fbay part but was very surprised at the quality.
    Just asking because I have a core seam leaking on my left radiator and would like an option other than buying the Honda part. If it can be found, my local dealer doesn't even like ordering older bike parts.

    Sam
     
  2. Diving Pete

    Diving Pete Member

    Country:
    United Kingdom
    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2016
    Messages:
    1,969
    Likes Received:
    548
    Trophy Points:
    143
    Location:
    London
    Map
    You have a 6th gen. Thousands of those have been crashed & so they can be got at breakers.
     
  3. Greeneggs

    Greeneggs New Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Nov 18, 2013
    Messages:
    17
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    31
    Location:
    Kyle Texas
    Map
    I have a leaky radiator. would prefer a new replacement. I thought taking a chance on a Chinese part risky, but I would feel better about it if someone else had tried these and they liked them. Who knows if the same sub makes the KTM radiators and the Honda. I was racing enduros with the KTM but always able to get back to pits if I had a problem, if I have a leak with the VFR I may be 2 days from the house. That's not something you pick up at the local auto parts in Tucumcari N.M. or Oskaloosa Iowa.
    This is the same reason I don't have it fixed, tried that didn't work.

    Sam
     
  4. Diving Pete

    Diving Pete Member

    Country:
    United Kingdom
    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2016
    Messages:
    1,969
    Likes Received:
    548
    Trophy Points:
    143
    Location:
    London
    Map
    I'm saying just get a OEM from a breakers. Personally, when you buy cheap crap you end up buying twice, And it usually fails at the point you really need it.
     
  5. Greeneggs

    Greeneggs New Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Nov 18, 2013
    Messages:
    17
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    31
    Location:
    Kyle Texas
    Map
    Yeah, I just came across a thread from Jubobrian from 2016, he asked kind of the same thing. I hope he found something he could use, cause that thread went south in a hurry. Anyway, it just come down to whether I feel lucky. Honda wants $365 - $440 online for the right. It's not the money that bothers me it's if I could get a larger capacity radiator that fit for less then it would be a win. Perhaps slow the heat soak in traffic a bit. But if it doesn't fit or it is poor quality then it's $ down the drain. I'm retired and try not to throw money out the window, it's to hard to come by.

    I hope others have found an answer, whichever way I go I will post up my results.

    Sam
     
  6. RllwJoe

    RllwJoe Insider

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Feb 2, 2017
    Messages:
    1,116
    Likes Received:
    315
    Trophy Points:
    128
    Location:
    Western Lower Peninsula, Michigan
    Map
    You could ask at a local raidiator repair shop if they could repair it for less than the cost of a used one.
     
  7. Darth Vader

    Darth Vader New Member

    Country:
    United Kingdom
    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2015
    Messages:
    311
    Likes Received:
    53
    Trophy Points:
    28
    Location:
    melton mowbray
    Map
    A mate of mine bought a pair of chinese ebay cheap radiators for his Varadero, its basically a vtr1000 firestorm/superhawk engine .
    Thet were thicker and looked surprisingly good quality but the kid who welded them up must of been a beginner as the welds were not pretty but theyve been on a year and work well.
    The problem with breaker oem parts is theyre 20 years old now. Would I buy some for my bike ? Probably not id go breakers
     
  8. Greeneggs

    Greeneggs New Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Nov 18, 2013
    Messages:
    17
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    31
    Location:
    Kyle Texas
    Map
    Every time I try repairing a radiator it goes wrong, and usually at a bad time. Again while riding in Ark. I had my KTM 690 radiator start leaking at the seam. I nursed it around carrying water with me the last 2 days then once home I took it to a shop in Austin that I had them build a custom radiator for our '72 vette. Great work on the radiator on the car, and the KTM radiator came back looking good. Worked great for a year, but once again while in Colorado this time it started leaking in the same place. Used some JB weld on it to get home and had it fixed again, then sold the bike! It was also a very expensive radiator if purchased from KTM. None available at the time aftermarket.
    Most all of the aluminum auto radiators that are sold here in the states, even through speed shops are made over there.
    My main reason for posting up is to see if someone had used one and had a bad experience. Due to the fact they haven't bit me yet, I will probable go with one and hope for the best. It goes back to which repair would I have the most confidence in.

    DV thanks for the reply, that's what we all have to deal with, who made your part and was he having a good day. I could order the Honda part but it may be made by the same 13 year old apprentice welder that is making the Fbay one for 25% of the price of OE. Throw the dice, hope it's not snake eyes.

    Sam
     
  9. squirrelman

    squirrelman Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Jul 27, 2006
    Messages:
    9,839
    Likes Received:
    743
    Trophy Points:
    128
    Location:
    Buffalo, NY
    Map
    JBWeld works well to stop rad leaks. :drink1:
     
  10. NorcalBoy

    NorcalBoy Member

    Joined:
    Aug 29, 2007
    Messages:
    6,120
    Likes Received:
    853
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Desert Southwest
    Service Honda - $313.00. Not that it answers your original question......
     
  11. Greeneggs

    Greeneggs New Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Nov 18, 2013
    Messages:
    17
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    31
    Location:
    Kyle Texas
    Map
    I have removed the RT radiator cleaned it and filled with water, sealed the ends and used a tire pump to put some pressure in it. The forward tank seam is leaking from the weld for about 2 inches. No other damage found.
    I found a post on another forum about someone back in 2017 or 18 that bought a pair of the offshore radiators and besides the brackets being in the wrong place it had a pin hole in the weld around the temp sensor on the left radiator they worked great.
    I have decided to find a local radiator shop to see if this radiator can be saved. If I don't find someone that I feel confident in then the new Honda radiator is the winner. All I need is someone to say they had personal experience with these radiators and wasn't impressed to get me on a new path. I was not looking for a cheaper way out but the one I put on my KTM 2 stroke was larger and very good quality and I was hoping that someone put out a radiator that would slow the warm up in traffic and be great quality. But there's a lot less room on our bikes for larger radiators so I had doubts. But this does give me a chance to think about the RT rad fan idea.
    I have a plan now so thanks to everyone for their thoughts.

    Sam
     
  12. skimad4x4

    skimad4x4 "Official" VFRWorld Greeter

    Country:
    France
    Joined:
    Jul 5, 2009
    Messages:
    2,269
    Likes Received:
    369
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    French Alps & London
    Map
    Sam

    3 hours ride north of you is Mr Motorcycle Recycle in Dallas Fort Worth - who claim to be among the biggest motorcycle breakers in the States with nationwide shipping. For a replacement radiator on a 6th gen I would definitely prefer installing a recycled OEM part rather than a import copy part.

    A quick phone call should allow you to check if they have a suitable radiator and it could be with you in hours.

    For many motorbikes the radiators tend to be positioned so they are routinely pelted with road debris picked up by the front wheel. However on the 6th gen the radiators are they are mounted end on running down the side of the bike meaning they are far less prone to damage. With luck any end of life vehicle dismantler of that size will be able to source a ready to fit replacement.


    SkiMad
     
Related Topics

Share This Page