Chinese Radiator Fan Installation

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Darrell
Posts: 179
Joined: Thu Feb 22, 2018 6:21 pm
Location: Crab Orchard, TN

Chinese Radiator Fan Installation

#1 Post by Darrell » Fri Sep 07, 2018 8:09 pm

I spent too much time trying to get an R6 radiator fan to fit into the small space available for my RD. I was thinking of spending $100 to order the cooling fan kit offered commercially, and decided to take a look on eBay to see what's out there. I found an "ATV radiator fan" for $22, shipped. I ordered it, and had it in about a week.

Here's a link to a similar one: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Universal-Prof ... ry&vxp=mtr" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I cut the mounting ears down a bit, slotting one side, but the fan fit very nicely with a minimum of work. I used two cable-clamps mounted to the frame to attach the fan. I used 1" clamps, because I had them laying around, but 1 1/4 or 1 1/2 would probably be easier.

There's a bit of clearance between the fan and the radiator, and between the fan and the engine. It seems to pull quite a bit of air, but I've just installed it and can't speak to how long it will last.
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modified mounting ears
modified mounting ears
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89 Canadian Spec RD-350
2013 BMW R1200RT
2007 Harley XL1200C Sportster
2008 Ducati 1098R
2015 Gas Gas 300 Trials bike
1972 Turbo-Charged 240Z
Zastava Black Arrow .50 BMG

Darrell
Posts: 179
Joined: Thu Feb 22, 2018 6:21 pm
Location: Crab Orchard, TN

Re: Chinese Radiator Fan Installation

#2 Post by Darrell » Fri Sep 07, 2018 8:11 pm

Can't quite figure out how to just add a string of photos, but here's what I did with the cable clamps.
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89 Canadian Spec RD-350
2013 BMW R1200RT
2007 Harley XL1200C Sportster
2008 Ducati 1098R
2015 Gas Gas 300 Trials bike
1972 Turbo-Charged 240Z
Zastava Black Arrow .50 BMG

Darrell
Posts: 179
Joined: Thu Feb 22, 2018 6:21 pm
Location: Crab Orchard, TN

Re: Chinese Radiator Fan Installation

#3 Post by Darrell » Fri Sep 07, 2018 8:18 pm

And finally, a couple of tough-to-see photos that show there is clearance between the fan and engine and between the fan and radiator.

I might put some closed-cell foam between the fan frame and the radiator, as that might pull more air through the radiator as opposed to pulling it from behind the radiator.
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89 Canadian Spec RD-350
2013 BMW R1200RT
2007 Harley XL1200C Sportster
2008 Ducati 1098R
2015 Gas Gas 300 Trials bike
1972 Turbo-Charged 240Z
Zastava Black Arrow .50 BMG

Hooligan
Posts: 1966
Joined: Mon Aug 20, 2012 1:37 am
Location: Calgary, Alberta

Re: Chinese Radiator Fan Installation

#4 Post by Hooligan » Fri Sep 07, 2018 9:12 pm

I ordered a similar "ATV fan" like this one

Image

And it didn't last the first ride. Oh well at least it only cost like $16. Other than it failed very quickly, the bigger issue was the thing would only spin one direction, which was not the right direction. Reversing the wiring didn't reverse the fan direction. :smt021

I ended up going with a 12v computer fan like this from Amazon.ca for a mere $10. A friend has a similar setup, which he has been using for 4 years now with no issues.

Image

Also got a nice bar switch ($4) like this to trigger the fan when it is needed.

Image
'82 RD350LC in '81 colours, OEM pipes, UNI filters
'85 FZ750

Darrell
Posts: 179
Joined: Thu Feb 22, 2018 6:21 pm
Location: Crab Orchard, TN

Re: Chinese Radiator Fan Installation

#5 Post by Darrell » Fri Sep 07, 2018 11:28 pm

This fan is bidirectional, so that won't be an issue.

Where did you find the switch?
89 Canadian Spec RD-350
2013 BMW R1200RT
2007 Harley XL1200C Sportster
2008 Ducati 1098R
2015 Gas Gas 300 Trials bike
1972 Turbo-Charged 240Z
Zastava Black Arrow .50 BMG

Hooligan
Posts: 1966
Joined: Mon Aug 20, 2012 1:37 am
Location: Calgary, Alberta

Re: Chinese Radiator Fan Installation

#6 Post by Hooligan » Fri Sep 07, 2018 11:45 pm

Amazon.ca
'82 RD350LC in '81 colours, OEM pipes, UNI filters
'85 FZ750

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