Any Northerners blocking part of the Radiator / Oil Cooler?

[turbojoe78]

As the weather has gotten cooler here in Mass, I have started blocking about half of my Radiator and Oil cooler.

Before I did I noticed the temp gauge on the highway would continually cycle between just entering the warm zone, to about half way up, most of the time staying on the low side.

After blocking them, the needle on the highway stays steady just below 1/4 of the way up, (about 10:00 position) and runs just under half way up when traffic on the back roads.

Just wondering if anyone else is doing this?

[Leo]

In The winter, I think it would be a good idea to block the oil cooler.   Too cool of oil causes as much lubrication problems as to hot of oil.  The thermostat does at least a moderately good job of regulation the coolant temperature. 

[Toxz Qwaste]

In The winter, I think it would be a good idea to block the oil cooler.   Too cool of oil causes as much lubrication problems as to hot of oil.  The thermostat does at least a moderately good job of regulation the coolant temperature. 

I do this for cold riding. Cold oil is not a very good lubricant.

[stevewfl]

I've ridden many miles in frigid cold, only blocking i've done is myself being blocked with my heated suit 

oops, you were asking "northerners"....count me out i don't qualify but my bike has been to canada and the top of the rockies anyway

[VirginiaJim]

The problem with both the C10 and C14 is that when it's hot out, they are.  And when it's cold out, they are as well.  That's been my experience with both bikes.  I've thought about blocking some of the rad for the C14 and I still might do that.  The hotter the bike, the better the gas mileage as well.

[Pilgrim]

turbojoe, et al,

How are you blocking it?  Cardboard, ducttape,...?  Please provide some details if you are: C10 v. C14.

I'm a bit north of you in NH.  For example, when I go to work at 6 AM it could be 30 degrees F, which could use some blocking. (I don't mind the brisk morning rides to work, they wake me up)  But, when I'd be coming home from work at 4 PM it could be 60+ degrees F, where I would not want any blocking.  So, I would not want it blocked all the time.  It doesn't look like there is an easy answer for the C14.

[Rhino]

I use 5-40 oil and it is garage kept. So in cold weather it is still above freezing in the garage when I start and the thinner oil works better in the cold. I ride this bike in the winter even in the single digits cold. I still get a bar or two on the temp gauge.

My KIPASS FOB is always kept warm in my pocket. Maybe that's all you need

[sq61708]

I live north of Montreal in Quebec Canada and ride a 91 C10.  I leave for work at 4:30 a.m and it's been cold on some morning and like you on the way back home the temp is always hotter.  I block my radiator with a piece of heavy duty cardboard that I got from a appliance box and use it to shield the bottom half.  I cut it about 1/2 inch wider on both side than the bottom of the fairing in front of the radiator and slide it between the rad and fairing.  I painted it flat black on both side to make it less visible and to protect it from water if I cross  a puddle or ride in the rain.  It helps my Connie warm up faster in the morning and is easy to take off in the afternoon before I go home.  I just toss it in my side case for when I need it.  Cheap and easy.

[stevewfl]

I use 5-40 oil and it is garage kept. So in cold weather it is still above freezing in the garage when I start and the thinner oil works better in the cold. I ride this bike in the winter even in the single digits cold. I still get a bar or two on the temp gauge.

My KIPASS FOB is always kept warm in my pocket. Maybe that's all you need

+1 

[turbojoe78]

turbojoe, et al,

How are you blocking it?  Cardboard, ducttape,...?  Please provide some details if you are: C10 v. C14.

I'm a bit north of you in NH.  For example, when I go to work at 6 AM it could be 30 degrees F, which could use some blocking. (I don't mind the brisk morning rides to work, they wake me up)  But, when I'd be coming home from work at 4 PM it could be 60+ degrees F, where I would not want any blocking.  So, I would not want it blocked all the time.  It doesn't look like there is an easy answer for the C14.

I'm using a piece of cardboard covered with black duct tape so it's less noticeable.  If you cut it a little bigger than the opening you can slide it in between the Rad screen and the faring and then slide it the other way to center it.
I'm covering about half of each, radiator and oil cooler.   And it's a C10.

[stevewfl]

One can get real serious and fabricate something like these 

[VirginiaJim]

I like the teeth and the flames..