I have a 2006 Brute Force 650i with 900 miles and 110 hours of hard riding. I had an opportunity to tear up some mountains and trails. It appears a dirtbike rider crossed my path despite my warnings not to do. A good size 3x3mm rock made it through the wire mesh into the radiator and broke several fins and push the water cooler jacket upwards between the fins. As far as I can tell it is not leaking but a new radiator is $400.00 from Kawasaki. (Ouch)

Anyone have any ideas about protecting the radiator next time to prevent any rocks from hitting it again due to people that can't listen. Any suggestions on repairs or replacement doesn't cost an arm or a chair? I am seriously thinking of just putting the quad aside and just go buy a new 2009 Brute Force 750 once they fix some of the problems on the 2008 models.

Do lockers require adjustment after some wear and tear? I notice the locker cable pull is not as firm as it used to be when it was new.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: ATVHades
It appears a dirtbike rider crossed my path despite my warnings not to do. </end quote></div>
ATVs and dirt bikes get along about as well as horses and loud 4 strokes. In other words they do not get along well. So it is up to you to keep the piece by getting out of the way rather than warning dirt bikes not to pass.
Dirt bikers have usually had access to our trails long before the quads started showing up plus the 4 wheelers will always damage good bike single track just because of their width.

 

oldturtle,

You are correct on the dirtbikers having equal access. I have no problems with them riding the trails but do have a problem when they pass me then wist a wide open throttle throwing 100's of rock pebbles into the center of my quad. I don't do that to people on the trails and rocky terran. I am sure you would be pissed if someone did that to your quad on purpose.

I have done some heavy reseach on modifications on how to protect the radiator from people that throw rocks in the air. I can go to my local hardware store and buy some heavy duty plastic mesh to secure the radiator from damage. Keep in mind to replace a Brute Force radiator costs $490.00 and it only took seconds to damage it when I asked the riders nicely not to throw rocks on my quad.

 

Can anyone suggest a replacement that fits the quad but doesn't have to be OEM. I found someone at Highlifters that makes custom radiators that cools 3-4x better but cost is little over $400.00. I was wondering if I purchased a heater core radiator to swap it out and install a better electric fan?

 

Im not sure how your atv is set up and if you can do it but I work at a mechine shop and we have a punch press that basicly just punches shapes out of sheet metal. I took a piece of aluminum and had hundreds of little holes punched in it and mounted it in front of my rad. If you could measure and find a place local that has a punch press it shouldnt cost much and will look cool. If you google punched hole mesh under images you can see what im talking about.

 

man the best thing i can say is u need to get a peace of 1/8 steel and cut a hole bunch of 1/2 by 3 inch slots in it. as for the diff lock yes the cable is ajustable. if the cable can not be ajusted enough then u can move the lever that opperates the diff lock on the diff down one notch to get more through out of it then u can reajust the cable again

 

The cheap & quick way for better protection is to use a Dog guard made for screen doors, cut it down to size & attach it to set in frt of the stock guard, I've been using this for yrs now, works excellent.

 

bfb750BF

Excellent tip....that is what I am going to do. As for everyone else thanks for your patience and excellent tips!