Installing a Projekt D Radiator Guard

[Glennn]

G'day All,

I'm a bit of a lurker here but thought I would do a quick write-up of my Projekt D Radiator Guard install.  Those who have done it, or similar, know how easier the install is, but I wanted to write it up all the same and pay a little back to this great forum.

I bought the black powder coated version as I have a midnight blue ride and I wanted to blend the radiator into the rest of the bike.  I also got the one stamped with 1400GTR - cause I think it looks cool. The Projekt D guard comes rubber backed along the frame which I thought was a handy touch. I know people have fabbed their own guards and that's great too.

http://projektd.com/product_info.php?cPath=27_39_47&products_id=62

Experience:

• Beginner

Tools required:

• 10mm ring spanner
• 1 beer

Instructions

• Start by undoing the bolt at the bottom of the radiator - this is the only bolt you need to undo.  Don't worry about the radiator coming away, it is held up the top as well.
• Very gently ease the radiator guard up into position being careful not to catch an edge in the radiator itself as the metal is very soft. You might be tempted, like I was, to bend in the bottom of the guard inwards so it clears the bottom edge of the fairing - don't do this as it results in the guard not sitting flush on the radiator.  Instead slide the guard up above the radiator just far enough so its bottom clears the fairing, it's tight up there but you can do it
• The top of the guard has two lips left and right, these will snug over the top of the radiator. Make sure both are in place and then gently push back the bottom of the guard where you will see it ready to be bolted up to where the original bolt was removed. Twist in the bolt, but only enough to hold the guard in place.
• At this point sit back on your haunches and have a sip of beer.  Take your time to ensure the guard is both: square on the radiator, and that the bottom edges of the guard are not standing proud of the radiator.  If the bottom edges are proud, remove the guard and very very gently flex the bottom of the guard back outwards a little and reinstall
• Right at the point the bolt is about to snug up tight give the guard a push at the bottom mounting point so everything is as flush as possible, then tighten.  I don't have torque specs but you don't want to go commando on this bolt, give it a good snug and then half a snug to call it good.
• You’re done, grab your beer, admire your handiwork, regale your other half with your epic tale of how you conquered the bike, then go look for more beer.

I hope this helps someone considering making the guard purchase.  The following photos don't show how dramatic the difference is, but I'm really glad I bought the black guard as the radiator is really stealthed now. Best of luck.

Glenn

[Glennn]

Lousy shots, but best I could accomplish as a before and after.

[Joncon11]

Thank you for this!

[Conrad]

Nice write up but I beg to differ on your tool selection.

One beer? That will never do! This is at least a three beer job.

1, Preparatory beer.
2, Working beer.
3, Job well done beer. 

[VirginiaJim]

  for the beer.    for the actual write up.  I give it a 10.  Thanks, Glenn!  Most Excellent, he says in his non-Mr. Burns voice...  Do you guys hear bells?

[Conrad]

for the beer.    for the actual write up.  I give it a 10.  Thanks, Glenn!  Most Excellent, he says in his non-Mr. Burns voice...  Do you guys hear bells?

As a matter of fact Jim, I think that I did hear bells. It's hard to tell sometimes over the roar of all the voices in my head.

[Son of Pappy]

Probably a Miller lite, he is on the slow color

Nice write up Glenn.

[gnuse]

About how far is the mesh of the radiator guard sitting off the face of the radiator?

Thanks for sharing the install.

[ZG]

Looks great Glennn! 

[Spanky]

I have the same guard, but not powder coated - I may need to remedy that 

[Rhino]

Nice write up but what the heck is a spanner?

[Rhino]

Nice write up but I beg to differ on your tool selection.

One beer? That will never do! This is at least a three beer job.

1, Preparatory beer.
2, Working beer.
3, Job well done beer.

+1   

[Glennn]

Thanks for the responses guys.  I wanted to do the write-up because this forum and the CoG forum I spent many MANY hours looking at before buying my beastie in the new year.

About how far is the mesh of the radiator guard sitting off the face of the radiator?

Towards the edges it is pretty close, and if you push lightly on the guard you can touch the radiator.  Up the middle it is away about 1/2 to 1cm (sory for the colonial measurements) and the guard is taut enough on my bike that I can't push it against the radiator. 

I have the same guard, but not powder coated - I may need to remedy that 

I come from a cruiser background (Yamaha Road Star) and it was really against my nature to buy something black and not chrome, but the black guard looks great on a dark bike.

Nice write up but what the heck is a spanner?

Well some would say this is a spanner too 

[gnuse]

Thanks Glennn,

I have thought about getting one of these guards, but have wondered how much protection that mesh would provide if too close to the radiator fins.

[Glennn]

I have thought about getting one of these guards, but have wondered how much protection that mesh would provide if too close to the radiator fins.

G'day Gnuse,

Yeah pondered that myself.  I figure that both impact and puncture damage potential would be lowered by the guard even on that part of the guard at the sides where it is sitting more flat to the radiator, and in particular for impact the guard would likely make the difference between slightly crushed fins and outright road-side stranding radiator damage.

Also, IMO, some protection is better than none. 

Glenn

[Z71]

Just curious, did you have to bend the bolt mounting tab on the guard to make the guard fit properly on the radiator?

[Glennn]

G'day Z71,

did you have to bend the bolt mounting tab on the guard to make the guard fit properly on the radiator?

Nope no issues there.  My only problem was of my own doing when I initially flexed the bottom of the guard inwards silghtly to try and get it to clear the fender.  Had to pull it out and flex outwards again so the guard's bottom corners sat against the radiator, instead of proud.

[misterd]

G'day Gnuse,

Yeah pondered that myself.  I figure that both impact and puncture damage potential would be lowered by the guard even on that part of the guard at the sides where it is sitting more flat to the radiator, and in particular for impact the guard would likely make the difference between slightly crushed fins and outright road-side stranding radiator damage.

Also, IMO, some protection is better than none. 

Glenn

my thoughts as well