I have tried various configuration with the Connie to cope with the summer heat. Half fairing was pretty good but I kinda like the lower fairing. I finally took out the inner baffles and ran that way with the lower fairing in place. I definitely feels cooler to me, I have thought the baffles were counterproductive and in redirecting air flow as designed they stifled cooling air flow as well. I have a cut out belly pan too so between that and removing the baffles there is a lot of air moving through and around the engine.
I too have a problem with heat. Here in Fresno I ride home it is 105-108 most days. I have discoved that if I wear a set of tube socks up to the calf it seems to stop the heat from getting my leg to hot. Putting that extra layer on seems to get me by. This is the first summer i have owned the connie but my old valkyrie was real bad in hot weather. The sock trick worked on both bikes.
Interesting. I have wondered about doing that. I sure don't think it would ever get cold enough in south Louisiana to worry about the retention of heat in the engine bay... Unless someone comes up with a good reason not to do this, it is on my list of the next things to do to cope with summer down south.