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BMW K75c -- radiator fan check.
BMW K75c -- radiator fan check.
Hi everyone!
I was checking the fan on my bike's radiator--I stuck a screwdriver in
there to turn the fan blade. It turned but it doesn't "coast", I had
to push a bit to get it to turn at all. Is this a sign that it's
stuck? Or, is it connected to a motor and that's why it's hard to turn
the blade?
If it needs fixing, is it hard to fix? Or should I just take it to a
mechanic?
I've been riding the bike, today I rode it about 100 miles and the
engine didn't overheat at all. Does the bike even need the fan?
I'm taking it on a cross-country road trip soon, so I want the bike to
be in tip-top shape for that.
By the way, it's an amazing bike. Anyone who thinks about getting one
should.
Hi everyone!
I was checking the fan on my bike's radiator--I stuck a screwdriver in
there to turn the fan blade. It turned but it doesn't "coast", I had
to push a bit to get it to turn at all. Is this a sign that it's
stuck? Or, is it connected to a motor and that's why it's hard to turn
the blade?
If it needs fixing, is it hard to fix? Or should I just take it to a
mechanic?
I've been riding the bike, today I rode it about 100 miles and the
engine didn't overheat at all. Does the bike even need the fan?
I'm taking it on a cross-country road trip soon, so I want the bike to
be in tip-top shape for that.
By the way, it's an amazing bike. Anyone who thinks about getting one
should.
Re: BMW K75c -- radiator fan check.
In article <1174802541.066726.309590@y80g2000hsf.googlegroups . com >,
watt.mike@gmail . com wrote:
> Hi everyone!
>
> I was checking the fan on my bike's radiator--I stuck a screwdriver in
> there to turn the fan blade. It turned but it doesn't "coast", I had
> to push a bit to get it to turn at all. Is this a sign that it's
> stuck? Or, is it connected to a motor and that's why it's hard to turn
> the blade?
>
> If it needs fixing, is it hard to fix? Or should I just take it to a
> mechanic?
>
> I've been riding the bike, today I rode it about 100 miles and the
> engine didn't overheat at all. Does the bike even need the fan?
>
> I'm taking it on a cross-country road trip soon, so I want the bike to
> be in tip-top shape for that.
>
> By the way, it's an amazing bike. Anyone who thinks about getting one
> should.
I just finished replacing the coolant on my S.O.'s bike (1986 Honda
VT500C).
I just got a 1997 XR650L, and I wanted to do some maintenance on her bike
for a ride together planned for the next afternoon.
While bleeding the air out of the system and waiting for the temperature to
come up to see the fan run, I noticed my electric screwdriver sitting on
the workbench - missing its bit.
When the fan kicked in, I learned where it was...
By the time I could shut the motor down, the bit had jammed in the housing
and reduced the blades on the fan from six to four.
With only four blades it made an awful racket and vibrated too much - she
would never be able to shut it out enough to ride.
Sigh.
I quickly hit the phones to see if one was available in town, but no luck.
44 bucks, middle of next week.
Took off the radiator to access the fan and pulled all the broken parts
out. Straightened some fins where the broken blades hit. Pulled off the
fan. Noticed the pair of missing blades were on one side. Gluing the old
mangled ones wasn't a viable option, so the only repair possibility that
presented itself was cutting off two more blades to keep just a balanced
pair. Two passes through the band saw and voila! It might not pull much
air, but it wouldn't shake things apart.
Put the fan back on, bolted the fan to the radiator, stowed all the hoses
and wires and tried heating it up again. When it hit the right temperature
the fan came on, but only for a few seconds. It wasn't getting overheated,
but I wasn't too sure it was running long enough.
Took the bike out on the street for a few blocks test ride. It heated up to
halfway into the 'red', which is unusual for this bike (usually runs cool
enough to be left running indefinitely without overheating)., but I had
started out with it on the edge of overheating. By the time I got home, the
temp had dropped a bit below the line, with the fan cycling somewhat like
it should, but I wasn't sure it would handle heating up if we ended up
sitting in traffic for any length of time.
No ride for us. Grr.
Lucky for me, a complete radiator and fan was on ebay for less than the
cost of just a new fan, and it will be here before one from Honda could be
shipped in. I'm out of the doghouse, and it was only a short stay.
The moral of my story - screwdrivers and fans don't mix.
BTW - her fan spins freely with the motor, but I have no idea if yours
should.
Good luck with it.
Mike G.
-
In article <1174802541.066726.309590@y80g2000hsf.googlegroups . com >,
watt.mike@gmail . com wrote:
> Hi everyone!
>
> I was checking the fan on my bike's radiator--I stuck a screwdriver in
> there to turn the fan blade. It turned but it doesn't "coast", I had
> to push a bit to get it to turn at all. Is this a sign that it's
> stuck? Or, is it connected to a motor and that's why it's hard to turn
> the blade?
>
> If it needs fixing, is it hard to fix? Or should I just take it to a
> mechanic?
>
> I've been riding the bike, today I rode it about 100 miles and the
> engine didn't overheat at all. Does the bike even need the fan?
>
> I'm taking it on a cross-country road trip soon, so I want the bike to
> be in tip-top shape for that.
>
> By the way, it's an amazing bike. Anyone who thinks about getting one
> should.
I just finished replacing the coolant on my S.O.'s bike (1986 Honda
VT500C).
I just got a 1997 XR650L, and I wanted to do some maintenance on her bike
for a ride together planned for the next afternoon.
While bleeding the air out of the system and waiting for the temperature to
come up to see the fan run, I noticed my electric screwdriver sitting on
the workbench - missing its bit.
When the fan kicked in, I learned where it was...
By the time I could shut the motor down, the bit had jammed in the housing
and reduced the blades on the fan from six to four.
With only four blades it made an awful racket and vibrated too much - she
would never be able to shut it out enough to ride.
Sigh.
I quickly hit the phones to see if one was available in town, but no luck.
44 bucks, middle of next week.
Took off the radiator to access the fan and pulled all the broken parts
out. Straightened some fins where the broken blades hit. Pulled off the
fan. Noticed the pair of missing blades were on one side. Gluing the old
mangled ones wasn't a viable option, so the only repair possibility that
presented itself was cutting off two more blades to keep just a balanced
pair. Two passes through the band saw and voila! It might not pull much
air, but it wouldn't shake things apart.
Put the fan back on, bolted the fan to the radiator, stowed all the hoses
and wires and tried heating it up again. When it hit the right temperature
the fan came on, but only for a few seconds. It wasn't getting overheated,
but I wasn't too sure it was running long enough.
Took the bike out on the street for a few blocks test ride. It heated up to
halfway into the 'red', which is unusual for this bike (usually runs cool
enough to be left running indefinitely without overheating)., but I had
started out with it on the edge of overheating. By the time I got home, the
temp had dropped a bit below the line, with the fan cycling somewhat like
it should, but I wasn't sure it would handle heating up if we ended up
sitting in traffic for any length of time.
No ride for us. Grr.
Lucky for me, a complete radiator and fan was on ebay for less than the
cost of just a new fan, and it will be here before one from Honda could be
shipped in. I'm out of the doghouse, and it was only a short stay.
The moral of my story - screwdrivers and fans don't mix.
BTW - her fan spins freely with the motor, but I have no idea if yours
should.
Good luck with it.
Mike G.
-
Re: BMW K75c -- radiator fan check.
watt.mike@gmail . com opin'd thus:
>Hi everyone!
>
>I was checking the fan on my bike's radiator--I stuck a screwdriver in
>there to turn the fan blade. It turned but it doesn't "coast", I had
>to push a bit to get it to turn at all. Is this a sign that it's
>stuck? Or, is it connected to a motor and that's why it's hard to turn
>the blade?
>
>If it needs fixing, is it hard to fix? Or should I just take it to a
>mechanic?
>
>I've been riding the bike, today I rode it about 100 miles and the
>engine didn't overheat at all. Does the bike even need the fan?
>
>I'm taking it on a cross-country road trip soon, so I want the bike to
>be in tip-top shape for that.
>
>By the way, it's an amazing bike. Anyone who thinks about getting one
>should.
Old K-bikes are notorious for having fan problems. Partially because
they hardly ever come on, and because of lack of use, when they ARE
needed, they're frozen up.
For some pointers on this, go to * w w w .ibmwr.org/, click on
"K-bike Tech Articles" and do a search on "fan".
Good luck, and keep on enjoying your K!
BTW, be sure to keep up on spline lubes; your K NEEDS regular lubing
of its driveshaft splines!
pooder was here -- when he should be out riding
--
I started out with nothing, and I still have most of it
watt.mike@gmail . com opin'd thus:
>Hi everyone!
>
>I was checking the fan on my bike's radiator--I stuck a screwdriver in
>there to turn the fan blade. It turned but it doesn't "coast", I had
>to push a bit to get it to turn at all. Is this a sign that it's
>stuck? Or, is it connected to a motor and that's why it's hard to turn
>the blade?
>
>If it needs fixing, is it hard to fix? Or should I just take it to a
>mechanic?
>
>I've been riding the bike, today I rode it about 100 miles and the
>engine didn't overheat at all. Does the bike even need the fan?
>
>I'm taking it on a cross-country road trip soon, so I want the bike to
>be in tip-top shape for that.
>
>By the way, it's an amazing bike. Anyone who thinks about getting one
>should.
Old K-bikes are notorious for having fan problems. Partially because
they hardly ever come on, and because of lack of use, when they ARE
needed, they're frozen up.
For some pointers on this, go to * w w w .ibmwr.org/, click on
"K-bike Tech Articles" and do a search on "fan".
Good luck, and keep on enjoying your K!
BTW, be sure to keep up on spline lubes; your K NEEDS regular lubing
of its driveshaft splines!
pooder was here -- when he should be out riding
--
I started out with nothing, and I still have most of it
Re: BMW K75c -- radiator fan check.
On 24 Mar 2007 23:02:21 -0700, watt.mike@gmail . com wrote:
>Hi everyone!
>
>I was checking the fan on my bike's radiator--I stuck a screwdriver in
>there to turn the fan blade. It turned but it doesn't "coast", I had
>to push a bit to get it to turn at all. Is this a sign that it's
>stuck? Or, is it connected to a motor and that's why it's hard to turn
>the blade?
It shouldn't spin free, just not be stuck.
Why not just test it? Let the bike run in place for a while, and see
if the fan comes on when it heats up?
While you're at it, I've read lots of places that the K75 runs so
smoothly that you can balance a nickle on edge on top of the tank
while it's running. Why don't you try that and get back to us? 8^)
>I've been riding the bike, today I rode it about 100 miles and the
>engine didn't overheat at all. Does the bike even need the fan?
Conventional wisdom is that they seldom need the fan. Which is why
the fan tends to go bad and freeze up.
>I'm taking it on a cross-country road trip soon, so I want the bike to
>be in tip-top shape for that.
>
>By the way, it's an amazing bike. Anyone who thinks about getting one
>should.
I'm a little jealous.
On 24 Mar 2007 23:02:21 -0700, watt.mike@gmail . com wrote:
>Hi everyone!
>
>I was checking the fan on my bike's radiator--I stuck a screwdriver in
>there to turn the fan blade. It turned but it doesn't "coast", I had
>to push a bit to get it to turn at all. Is this a sign that it's
>stuck? Or, is it connected to a motor and that's why it's hard to turn
>the blade?
It shouldn't spin free, just not be stuck.
Why not just test it? Let the bike run in place for a while, and see
if the fan comes on when it heats up?
While you're at it, I've read lots of places that the K75 runs so
smoothly that you can balance a nickle on edge on top of the tank
while it's running. Why don't you try that and get back to us? 8^)
>I've been riding the bike, today I rode it about 100 miles and the
>engine didn't overheat at all. Does the bike even need the fan?
Conventional wisdom is that they seldom need the fan. Which is why
the fan tends to go bad and freeze up.
>I'm taking it on a cross-country road trip soon, so I want the bike to
>be in tip-top shape for that.
>
>By the way, it's an amazing bike. Anyone who thinks about getting one
>should.
I'm a little jealous.
Re: BMW K75c -- radiator fan check.
On Sun, 25 Mar 2007 10:03:57 -0800, Blazing Laser wrote:
> On 24 Mar 2007 23:02:21 -0700, watt.mike@gmail . com wrote:
>
>>Hi everyone!
>>
>>I was checking the fan on my bike's radiator--I stuck a screwdriver in
>>there to turn the fan blade. It turned but it doesn't "coast", I had
>>to push a bit to get it to turn at all. Is this a sign that it's
>>stuck? Or, is it connected to a motor and that's why it's hard to turn
>>the blade?
>
> It shouldn't spin free, just not be stuck.
>
> Why not just test it? Let the bike run in place for a while, and see
> if the fan comes on when it heats up?
>
> While you're at it, I've read lots of places that the K75 runs so
> smoothly that you can balance a nickle on edge on top of the tank
> while it's running. Why don't you try that and get back to us? 8^)
>
>>I've been riding the bike, today I rode it about 100 miles and the
>>engine didn't overheat at all. Does the bike even need the fan?
>
> Conventional wisdom is that they seldom need the fan. Which is why
> the fan tends to go bad and freeze up.
>
>>I'm taking it on a cross-country road trip soon, so I want the bike to
>>be in tip-top shape for that.
>>
>>By the way, it's an amazing bike. Anyone who thinks about getting one
>>should.
>
> I'm a little jealous.
On cool/cold days, the fan should hardly, if at all run. On hot days,
it'll run everytime you stop, dumping its heat onto your legs. The good
news is that a light'll come on when its overheating.
On Sun, 25 Mar 2007 10:03:57 -0800, Blazing Laser wrote:
> On 24 Mar 2007 23:02:21 -0700, watt.mike@gmail . com wrote:
>
>>Hi everyone!
>>
>>I was checking the fan on my bike's radiator--I stuck a screwdriver in
>>there to turn the fan blade. It turned but it doesn't "coast", I had
>>to push a bit to get it to turn at all. Is this a sign that it's
>>stuck? Or, is it connected to a motor and that's why it's hard to turn
>>the blade?
>
> It shouldn't spin free, just not be stuck.
>
> Why not just test it? Let the bike run in place for a while, and see
> if the fan comes on when it heats up?
>
> While you're at it, I've read lots of places that the K75 runs so
> smoothly that you can balance a nickle on edge on top of the tank
> while it's running. Why don't you try that and get back to us? 8^)
>
>>I've been riding the bike, today I rode it about 100 miles and the
>>engine didn't overheat at all. Does the bike even need the fan?
>
> Conventional wisdom is that they seldom need the fan. Which is why
> the fan tends to go bad and freeze up.
>
>>I'm taking it on a cross-country road trip soon, so I want the bike to
>>be in tip-top shape for that.
>>
>>By the way, it's an amazing bike. Anyone who thinks about getting one
>>should.
>
> I'm a little jealous.
On cool/cold days, the fan should hardly, if at all run. On hot days,
it'll run everytime you stop, dumping its heat onto your legs. The good
news is that a light'll come on when its overheating.
Re: BMW K75c -- radiator fan check.
What is the fastest way to get the bike to heat up enough to make the
fan come on? the other day I rode it from LA to Orange county (about
30 miles) and the fan didn't come on when I was stopped. Nor did the
little light come on, so it wasn't overheating.
What is the fastest way to get the bike to heat up enough to make the
fan come on? the other day I rode it from LA to Orange county (about
30 miles) and the fan didn't come on when I was stopped. Nor did the
little light come on, so it wasn't overheating.
Re: BMW K75c -- radiator fan check.
watt.mike@gmail . com wrote:
> What is the fastest way to get the bike to heat up enough to make the
> fan come on? the other day I rode it from LA to Orange county (about
> 30 miles) and the fan didn't come on when I was stopped. Nor did the
> little light come on, so it wasn't overheating.
Sitting still idling is the best way-- just being in motion will
generate enough airflow to the radiator so that the fan won't need
to run.
--
'01 SV650S '99 EX250-F13 '98 ZG1000-A13
OMF #7
watt.mike@gmail . com wrote:
> What is the fastest way to get the bike to heat up enough to make the
> fan come on? the other day I rode it from LA to Orange county (about
> 30 miles) and the fan didn't come on when I was stopped. Nor did the
> little light come on, so it wasn't overheating.
Sitting still idling is the best way-- just being in motion will
generate enough airflow to the radiator so that the fan won't need
to run.
--
'01 SV650S '99 EX250-F13 '98 ZG1000-A13
OMF #7
Re: BMW K75c -- radiator fan check.
<watt.mike@gmail . com > wrote in message
news:1174932431.863270.190380@n59g2000hsh.googlegroups . com ...
> What is the fastest way to get the bike to heat up enough to make the
> fan come on? the other day I rode it from LA to Orange county (about
> 30 miles) and the fan didn't come on when I was stopped. Nor did the
> little light come on, so it wasn't overheating.
Turn on the air-conditioning.
__
Steve
KI5YG
'06 FXDI
#0627
.
<watt.mike@gmail . com > wrote in message
news:1174932431.863270.190380@n59g2000hsh.googlegroups . com ...
> What is the fastest way to get the bike to heat up enough to make the
> fan come on? the other day I rode it from LA to Orange county (about
> 30 miles) and the fan didn't come on when I was stopped. Nor did the
> little light come on, so it wasn't overheating.
Turn on the air-conditioning.
__
Steve
KI5YG
'06 FXDI
#0627
.
