Aluminum radiators on auction site

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mixalive
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Aluminum radiators on auction site

#1 Post by mixalive » Wed Aug 05, 2015 11:29 pm

I am seeing many ebay sellers selling an aluminum radiator for RZ350s. Has any one of you guys purchased one of these? Qurious about the quality and fit.
RZ350 with FZ600 swingarm, FZR600 wheels, front end and FZR400 bodywork.

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JonW
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Re: Aluminum radiators on auction site

#2 Post by JonW » Thu Aug 06, 2015 9:33 am

have a bit of a google, its a minefield, even the sellers who did good stuff do stuff up the next batch. A few of us run them and are happy but there are horror stories too...cheap tho!
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concours
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Re: Aluminum radiators on auction site

#3 Post by concours » Sat Mar 03, 2018 11:12 am

I bought one, from Economy Cycle, very inexpensive (they told me they are the same as those being sold all over the fleabay). I went to install it, the lower mount tab holes were too small. just a quick uni-bit hog out, no worries. But, the overall relation of the top pin to bottom tabs was off. Also, it was 8mm from the frame at the bottom, and 10mm away from the frame on the top edge, this made the hose nipple going up to the cap touching the frame on the inside, no room for hose/clamp. Also, I had it in my head the plastic shroud could be made to kinda "fit" over the whole mess (even though the rad is sold with the understanding that the shroud cannot be used) and for that reason as well, it needs to be tucked tight to the frame. Also, the lower hose nipple was about 15 degrees off orientation compared to the stock one.
Soooo.... I accurately measured all the mounts, grabbed the die grinder with a .032" cut off wheel, and dashed them all off.
Cleaned up the areas, accurately positioned them and TIG welded them back on where they belong, 3mm clearance to the frame. It's all painted low gloss black and installed. Test ridden (freakish late Feb weather, rain washed road salt away, 55F temps.) and no leaks or other drama.
I had gotten a rather tatty used shroud from fleabay for chopping up to fit over rad. LOTS of sanding inside to releive.
Proof testing on Florida's I-95/4 around Daytona will commence next week..... [smilie=carl_surfing[1].gif]
Last edited by concours on Sat Mar 03, 2018 3:28 pm, edited 1 time in total.
WFO for 45 years
1984 RZ350
1973 Yamaha TX750
1975 Yamaha DT400
1974 Norton Commando 850
Triumph Tiger 1050
Triumph Rocket III

hondaror
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Re: Aluminum radiators on auction site

#4 Post by hondaror » Sat Mar 03, 2018 12:43 pm

That sounds like one of the old ones. They, apparently have corrected those issues.
Rory
2 1984 RZ350s
1985 RZ350
9 1986-1990 RZ350s
2000 ST2
2005 749
2005 749 with 999 engine

concours
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Re: Aluminum radiators on auction site

#5 Post by concours » Sat Mar 03, 2018 3:26 pm

hondaror wrote:That sounds like one of the old ones. They, apparently have corrected those issues.
Do tell....
I bought this one two years ago. I noticed the current ebay offerings have a formed 90 degree lower hose nipple, rather than the mitered welded elbow mine has.
WFO for 45 years
1984 RZ350
1973 Yamaha TX750
1975 Yamaha DT400
1974 Norton Commando 850
Triumph Tiger 1050
Triumph Rocket III

hondaror
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Re: Aluminum radiators on auction site

#6 Post by hondaror » Sat Mar 03, 2018 5:24 pm

That would be about right. They are not always available. The earlier ones had huge fitment issues. People tackled them in different ways, depending if they could get a welder to modify the steel mounts on the frame or an aluminum welder to modify the rad itself. Complaints filtered back to the suppliers and they had all the issues addressed.
Manufacturing is done in batches, and they usually sell out quite readily.
Rory
2 1984 RZ350s
1985 RZ350
9 1986-1990 RZ350s
2000 ST2
2005 749
2005 749 with 999 engine

concours
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Re: Aluminum radiators on auction site

#7 Post by concours » Sun Apr 29, 2018 9:50 pm

Here it is with the shroud fitted.
WFO for 45 years
1984 RZ350
1973 Yamaha TX750
1975 Yamaha DT400
1974 Norton Commando 850
Triumph Tiger 1050
Triumph Rocket III

350YPVS
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Re: Aluminum radiators on auction site

#8 Post by 350YPVS » Thu May 03, 2018 5:09 pm

I'm also looking for a radiator. Prices on ebay are anywhere from $67 to $150. Could someone whose purchased one and is happy with the fitment / results post who they purchased it from?

Thx.
J

concours
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Re: Aluminum radiators on auction site

#9 Post by concours » Tue May 08, 2018 10:29 am

concours wrote:Here it is with the shroud fitted.

Oops, I can't post pics...
look at this link: http://advrider.com/index.php?threads/r ... 869/page-8" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
WFO for 45 years
1984 RZ350
1973 Yamaha TX750
1975 Yamaha DT400
1974 Norton Commando 850
Triumph Tiger 1050
Triumph Rocket III

concours
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Joined: Fri Aug 30, 2013 10:45 pm
Location: Kensington, New Hampshire, USA

Re: Aluminum radiators on auction site

#10 Post by concours » Sat Jul 02, 2022 10:09 am

WFO for 45 years
1984 RZ350
1973 Yamaha TX750
1975 Yamaha DT400
1974 Norton Commando 850
Triumph Tiger 1050
Triumph Rocket III

85RZwade
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Re: Aluminum radiators on auction site

#11 Post by 85RZwade » Wed Jul 06, 2022 1:30 am

Love your personalized plate!
85 RZ350 daily rider Toomeys, FZ swinger & wheel, Fox shock, Raasks
85 RZ350 JLs, FZ swinger, Katana rear & CBR929 front wheel, CBR600F4 forks & brakes
75 RD350 Ritter-tuned top end, PWK28s, JLs, HPI, TDR wheels, GSX-R forks, Motolana swinger

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Re: Aluminum radiators on auction site

#12 Post by silverstrom » Thu Jul 07, 2022 12:21 am

85RZwade wrote: Wed Jul 06, 2022 1:30 am Love your personalized plate!
+1 :smt023

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