I need help from someone smarter than me. (radiator questions)

Hey all,
I've got a nasty little hole in my radiator on my '86 VFR 700. I tried to save money and weld it, but it didn't hold for more than a few days. Who would've guessed. Anyway, I can't seem to find a replacement. However, I did manage to find radiators for a 500 and a 750. I'm going to go ahead and assume the 500 will be too small to cool the engine efficiently, but does anyone know if the 750 will work? Or better yet, does anyone know where I can find the right radiator?

Thanks in advance!

 

If you HAVE to repair, then you should look into aluminum brazing rod. I have used alumiweld and it works quite well.

Aluminum Welding Rods - Pack of 8 Alumiweld Rods

There are other brands out there, but the HF stuffed worked well enough that I didn't feel like hunting down an alternative.

Jose

 

I think the 750 will fit, from what I remember (at least from the v45 sabre) is that the 700 and 750 are identical except for the engine cc's.

 

Can you post pics of the radiator?

I successfully patched pin holes from the radiator fan shroud rubbing through the fins after a low side pressed the fan bracket/fan close to the radiator. when the fan came on, it pulled itself into the radiator and ate an arc through the fins, then started slowly, then ever larger, drips onto the fairing and right in front of the back tire.

After draining the coolant, removing the rad, bending the tabs back, and doing my best to dry the radiator, I used super glue to glue the pin holes and squeezed the edge of the fin closed with needle-nose pliers. added a slight twist to the fin to pull the crimped fin tight. It took some tries to get "good" seals. I'd spray windex on the repair, then pressurize the system with air. (cover one hole with hand, the other with lips... blow to pressurize) Windex bubbles when there's a bad crimp/seal well enough that a buddy can see which crimp needs to be re-done. The cooling system is pressurized to < 20ft/lbs of pressure, so there's not much pushing back on the fix. The fix lasted some many miles over the three days from Boole Tree, to Laguna Seca, to Yosemite, to San Fran (where we picked up a new radiator) up to Westport, CA where we replaced it.

not trying to encourage a hack-job repair, but it might get you riding while there's weather worth riding in.

Best of luck,

 

You can use 86-87, 700 -750. They are and always have been difficult to find and nothing else is a good substitute.

 

You may want to call this guy,


http://vfrworld.com/forums/1st-2nd-...r700-rwb-complete-bikes-plus-extra-parts.html

 

I'd try nozzle's superglue (+baking soda) fix or at least try JBWeld*. I fixed a leaky bike radiator with JB*, and it's held up OK for the last 8 years.




* not a paid endorser






[Please note that by replying here i make no claim to be smarter than anyone except maybe a little kid.]

 

dude i took my radiator had decent size hole from accident from former owner , guy but glue and fixed it
for 40. nz dollars cheap ,other place rang said need new core 500.00 so like my bike still be not going
worked fine too, just ring around few car radiator repair companys