[phlaug]

Because I like the factory appearance of the Fury I have never dabbled in aftermarket bits (other than the Corbin King & Queen for passenger comfort).

However, I need to do something more functional to protect the radiator, so if I have to buy something anyway, may as well look good.

Therefore I'm hoping some of you can step forward with some solid recommendations (including pics if you don't mind).

As for the why, I live off a gravel road and was too stupid to realize I should have done something at the bottom of the front fender to prevent kick up.

See for yourself!:

So I am in the middle of straightening those now. (Not because I care what they look like, but because the fan is running very nearly all the time as the darn radiator can't breathe enough!)

And while I have since added a mud flap to the bottom of the front fender to prevent further damage to this degree,as the stock plastic grill guard cracked, I am in need of a replacement.

Thank you in advance for any help you can offer!

 

[Furious_Mike]

Here’s my setup, bike life nation cowl/chin with a chrome mesh I picked up off Amazon.

 

[phlaug]

Very nice, Mike!

Chrome mesh sold in various sizes and then just cut to fit you think?

(I like the cowl/chin on yours, a lot, but it's just not for me.... I'm more minimalist...)

 

[FURY-S1]

Here is mine from vray69.

 

[phlaug]

thank you, that will work for me!

i searched vray69 and there are 500 results… when you say “from vray69” are you saying he sells that setup? Or did he provide design/supply list so you could make it yourself? Is the way forward to just DM him?

thx again

 

[FURY-S1]

thank you, that will work for me!

i searched vray69 and there are 500 results… when you say “from vray69” are you saying he sells that setup? Or did he provide design/supply list so you could make it yourself? Is the way forward to just DM him?

thx again

He builds them. Fastest reply will be through his FB page. Vray's Custom

 

[Ordinary Biker]

thank you, that will work for me!

i searched vray69 and there are 500 results… when you say “from vray69” are you saying he sells that setup? Or did he provide design/supply list so you could make it yourself? Is the way forward to just DM him?

thx again

Yes, send him a message Vray69

 

[Furious_Mike]

Very nice, Mike!

Chrome mesh sold in various sizes and then just cut to fit you think?

(I like the cowl/chin on yours, a lot, but it's just not for me.... I'm more minimalist...)

Yup it comes in sheets of all different sizes, just cut to fit.

 

[Furious_Mike]

Yes, send him a message Vray69

@Vray69

 

[phlaug]

Thank you all, I have dropped Vray a line.

haven’t been on here in a while, but knew I could count on you. Thanks for a still-great forum 13 years later!!!!

 

[mbaskett]

best thing you could do is to relocate your front fender before doing anything to protect the NEW radiator you probably should install

Just rotate that bad boy rearward so you're not kickin rocks up at your water cooler!!!

here's my radiator 'protector' in all it's unwashed glory.

 

[Furi15]

best thing you could do is to relocate your front fender before doing anything to protect the NEW radiator you probably should install

Just rotate that bad boy rearward so you're not kickin rocks up at your water cooler!!!

here's my radiator 'protector' in all it's unwashed glory.
View attachment 245437

You could buy a reaper front fender. These are great for protection and look amazing.

 

[phlaug]

Thanks for the input, folks.

Reaper fender is beautiful, but not for me. Living on a gravel road the bike is hard to keep clean and the stones would beat the heck out of the bottom.

I have already installed a mud flap. My first Honda (1981 CX500 Custom) had one and in retrospect I should have installed one as soon as I got the bike.

I think that will protect the radiator going forward, so I guess I don’t have to blow the budget on a guard necessarily.

I used a spark plug gapping tool to open gaps back up from the rear, a dental tool to pull open up other slots, and clipped off broken fins.

Looking forward to having her back on the road soon! Thanks again for the input.

 

[Furious_Mike]

Not trying to spend your money but that rad looks pretty banged up still….

 

[phlaug]

I hear you, but air flow doesn’t need pretty (and neither do I).

Before I worked on it, you couldn’t see through the beat up section at all. Now you can. (Photos won’t show it, but from behind you can see now.).

Keep in mind it never once overheated even before any straightening — the fan just ran more. So no way in hell am I replacing a $500+ radiator. 👍🏻😊👍🏻

 

[macxpert]

I hear you, but air flow doesn’t need pretty (and neither do I).

Before I worked on it, you couldn’t see through the beat up section at all. Now you can. (Photos won’t show it, but from behind you can see now.).

Keep in mind it never once overheated even before any straightening — the fan just ran more. So no way in hell am I replacing a $500+ radiator. 👍🏻😊👍🏻

I once had a radiator for a bike re-cored from a good radiator repair guy. He actually made a core to fit exactly. The price was reasonable and less than the cost of a new radiator. Don't know if you can find those old school repair people these days......

 

[SNAKE BIT]

I once had a radiator for a bike re-cored from a good radiator repair guy. He actually made a core to fit exactly. The price was reasonable and less than the cost of a new radiator. Don't know if you can find those old school repair people these days......

There are places all around that recore your radiator. Check internet for someone close to you and get a price. I don't blame you one bit for not wanting to pay the ridiculous price for that radiator. I've had a couple done here (car), and the shop did an outstanding job. Good luck whatever you decide.

 

[phlaug]

Does anyone have a service manual or other source that addresses installing the OEM grill guard? That’s the route I have headed. Thing is my original was already badly cracked when I uninstalled so I didn’t learn anything about installation. I don’t want to mess it up.

Looking at it my guess is it requires some bending in the middle along the vertical axis to slide over the tabs on the radiator. In which case I better get it out of my Connecticut-cold garage to warm it up and not risk cracking.

But I’d prefer reassurance that’s the proper approach before beginning.

By the way, see any evidence of the gravel kick-up that was source of my original issue?

(new one is at the top in case you’re wondering…)

 

[mbaskett]

Does anyone have a service manual or other source that addresses installing the OEM grill guard? That’s the route I have headed. Thing is my original was already badly cracked when I uninstalled so I didn’t learn anything about installation. I don’t want to mess it up.

Looking at it my guess is it requires some bending in the middle along the vertical axis to slide over the tabs on the radiator. In which case I better get it out of my Connecticut-cold garage to warm it up and not risk cracking.

But I’d prefer reassurance that’s the proper approach before beginning.

By the way, see any evidence of the gravel kick-up that was source of my original issue?

View attachment 245600
(new one is at the top in case you’re wondering…)

Hope this helps!

 

[phlaug]

Thanks @mbaskett !

Typical manual — “hook”.

I was aware of what pieces slid over the tabs (the “bosses”), but my concern is there doesn’t seem to be a ton of flex.

But the lack of flex could easily be due to ambient temperature. I’ll bring the guard in the house and see if that makes it feel a little more flexible. I don’t want to break the plastic “rehooking” it.

Thanks again!