Custom Radiator for GT

ilbikes · Post by **ilbikes** » Wed Sep 09, 2009 7:56 pm

Guys, I know this won't find approval in many eyes, but I had my own reasons for doing it. After having what I and my local shop thought was the perfect original radiator cleaned, pressure tested, fins straightened (I spent hours) and then sprayed gloss black just start hemorrhaging - I wanted new. After some calls, I realized finding a NOS one would be near impossible. I sent my son with the radiator to a well-known NASCAR/race builder Griffin Radiator

http://www.griffinrad.com/

for a close look at why it failed. They said it corroded from the inside-out and fixing it would not be practical. They offered to make me one. Well, here is the first and only GT750 radiator they have ever made. The key is that I intend to travel on this and since you can't judge a book or radiator by it's cover - I got the NASCAR version of GT water-cooling!

This is 300% more efficient than the stocker which I know is not needed, but they say I can add all the mods I'd ever want or sit in traffic for ever -and it should never leak.

I have ignored one suggestion they had - let them polish it, instead I've painted it black and will try to keep the stock look for the average enthusiast - you guys would spot it from 15 feet away -

Gordon

tz375 · Post by **tz375** » Wed Sep 09, 2009 9:43 pm

Gordon, excellent choice. Griffin do great radiators. Not exactly bargain basement, but they have an excellent reputation.

I see that it's all welded versus the stamped and soldered OEM item, but with the plastic cover on, most of us wouldn't spot it.

That 300% better number - is that because of the additional thickness or better fin and tube design? The reason I ask is that I foresee a potential problem on one of my project bikes.

ilbikes · Post by **ilbikes** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 2:44 pm

Richard,

The tubes are considerably larger inside and just flow a lot more. I don't know how you check a number like that, but I'm very happy with the fit and construction. I hated to paint it because it will lose some of that efficiency, but it did not look right sitting in there natural -

Gordon

Zook-e · Post by **Zook-e** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 4:06 pm

If you have to paint it, just paint the sides, top and bottom. Leave the fins aluminum, like some car radiators.

tz375 · Post by **tz375** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 5:01 pm

A thin layer of flat or semi gloss black paint radiates heat better than basre aluminum. It's a trade off of dark versus light against bare v's a layer of paint acting as an insulator.

Thin layer of black wins by about a 15% margin as I recall.

Suzukidave · Post by **Suzukidave** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 6:36 pm

Wow , thats nice Gordon

would you mind posting what a custom radiator like that costs ?

ilbikes · Post by **ilbikes** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 7:58 pm

Dave, this ran me $425 and took them 3 weeks start to finish which is exactly what they told me up front. They don't have a pattern so plan on sending one with your order or let me know and I can drop one of the 3 stock ones that I have by there. My original one is worthless as a radiator so it can make a good pattern.

They have a lot of different radiators on display. I saw one killer V-Rod radiator up there - it was an integrated water and turbo intercooler in two seperate tanks and some trick plumbing in between. I'm convinced they can build cooling parts for any bike build. When I take my Honda CB750 down for diamond cutting the heads and cylinders (bling factor), I will probably have them fashion a new oil cooler with some mounting provisions that take on a more stock look. This Honda is my best performance build by far and really could use some killer fins and cooler.

I want to replace this one -

Regards,
Gordon

Suzukidave · Post by **Suzukidave** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 8:49 pm

Thanx for the info Gordon , BTW your detail work just wows me

rngdng · Post by **rngdng** » Sat Sep 12, 2009 11:44 pm

I've riden Gordon's CB750 and it's amazing!!! The Kaw guys don't want to ride it, as it's a lot tougher than an H2!! There's no substitute for BUCKS!!!

Lane

chainsaw · Post by **chainsaw** » Sun Sep 13, 2009 7:07 am

Gordon, can we see the whole bike?

ilbikes · Post by **ilbikes** » Sun Sep 13, 2009 8:38 am

Hey, glad we're back up and running.

I took the advice of several and painted the Griffin black. Lightly in the fins and only two semi-wet coats on the tanks. I use Eastwood's Epoxy Gloss Black chassis paint, some really tough stuff.

Here is the difference in the cooling/internals - major amount of flow difference between the stocker and the custom. The Griffin is the black one of course and the silver - stock that I later purchased as a spare and blasted clean at very low pressure.

Gordon

Post by **Suzsmokeyallan** » Sun Sep 13, 2009 12:40 pm

I like the rad and it looks really great as a custom piece,it would even be a shame to paint the workmanship in fabrication and the welds.
I do notice the fins are not even in length nor do they go the full length of the tubes. It would have looked perfect if it didnt have those two issues.

Suzukidave · Post by **Suzukidave** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 4:58 pm

True enough , it would have been nice if they could have run the fins all the way to the top but hey once the wrap around guard is place you cannot even se the fins

markj · Post by **markj** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 6:12 pm

Dollars to doghnuts - with the paint nobody will even notice that it's not a stock radiator - Unless you tell 'em of course. I know some guys can descern the slightest variance, but that's going to be a hard one to spot. It sure is a beauty though. Especially when you see it next to the stock item.