I have the infamous front "flip top, tool box" style front rack of course. Between the screen and the rad protection metal grille, it's tough to get any good pressure when washing through to the rad to clean it out well.

I had my front box off recently and the rad was totally exposed. So, it got me to thinking of cutting an "access cover" in the bottom of my front box. That way, I can just pop the cover off and wash the rad out real well (and bend the grille back out when it gets dented lol). I'm not concerned about the "watertight" issue as my front rack isn't anyway. Obviously make the cover so it will keep debri and spashes from coming up and in but a little water is ok when submerged or whatever.

has anyone done something like this? I'll get some pictures and details of how I did it when complete.

 

Ok, so did the cutting and got it all ready to install last night. it worked out very very well actually! I now will have full access to the rad for cleaning. It also makes accessing the winch wiring and mounts very easy as well. A very good mod IMO.

I'll get some pics tomorrow and post.

 

SLIKJR,

I am really anxious to see your results. What will you use for the cover panel? Something similar like
the fuse/Antifreeze panel cover, I am guessing?

R'

 

Got the pics, now just need to get them on here. Keep getting an error. i created a new thread for some tech help. I'll get them up ASAP

 

best to upload to flickr or photobucket i dont think it will be fixed anytime soon

 

Ok, let's try this out...

Rad Cover1

Rad Cover2

Rad Cover 3

Rad Cover4

Rad Cover5

 

YAY! They worked.

Ok, now I'll explain.

-Used Dremel tool to cut out cover
-You can see I knocked it to rest on the frame rails under box. That way, it can only down as far as those (which is whee it sits naturally).
-Used heavy canvas as "hinge" so it would be able to more a little and not rust or freeze up on me
-Two thin metal strips rivetted in place to hold canvas to cover and box
-The access panel for the rad fill cap acts to hold my rad cover down. Because it is so closed in around the rad, no water will have "direct" splash/flow access to come in. Obviously splashing or if submerged water will come in, but that's what the drain holes are for anyway.

So there you have it! i am very please with the way it turned out. My rad will appreciate being able to get cleaned out well! I'd be more than happy to go into more detail if someone wants.

 

Cool mod. Now you can get a hose right down in there. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-cool.gif[/img]

 

Pretty cool! It would be neat to see if you could rubber seal
around your new panel and somewhat waterproof it some
or better. Hey what holds down that flap while trailing?

Very innovative!

Regards,

R'

 

Ya, I was going to work on some kind of gasket for it. I haven't given it too much thought as to what I could use yet, but I'll come up with something. Maybe some weather stripping...we'll see.

Trailering won't be an issue. Just like while riding, the factory "rad fill cap hood" thing holds it down and in place. It actually holds it down pretty good. Besides that, with the box cover closed and latched, no air can get rush through it at speed... the whole principal of air pressure thing. If it can't escape, it can't go in.

I'll keep posted on the gasket thing.