SV radiator conversion

[dmurphy48]

Thanks Don.  I race in Colorado and was really just fishing for someone to confirm my gut feeling that the additional cooling wasn't absolutely necessary.  I am going to do some pre-running before the start of the season so I guess I can just check it first than see what I need to do.  

Thanks.  

[dylanfan53]

Don are you using a thermostat or do you have a part of the thermostat in the housing?

Yes, I believe the thermostat's intact.  I don't recall removing it, unless Bill did and didn't tell me which I doubt.

Dale, regarding the GSXR rad, here's an old post from an SV board I belong to...(internet advice coming...buyer beware!)  :)

Q: Any one know if a '99 GSXR 600 radiator is a good fit on a SV?

A: No.  Rubs the front wheel.  Plus you have to cut and weld the spigots to match the SV's layout.  Been there done that....twice.  If you are able to have the welding done...then you will need to cut the mounting tab/protrusion from the front of the lead cylinder.  Then it will fit....but it's tight.  I know....I've done it to both of my SV's.

end quote...

I have no personal experience on that though.

[grasshopper]

If you do remove the thermostat on a motor that may run hot (Any motor, not just the SV) that would help the motor stay cooler correct? But on the other hand it may never get up to temp?

[Super Dave]

Yes, I believe the thermostat's intact.  I don't recall removing it, unless Bill did and didn't tell me which I doubt.

You should check or ask.

A thermostat is an item that helps something get up to temperature.  You run the RPM's pretty high and hard on a race bike, so they get up to temperature no problem.  Generally, one removes a thermostat because of the risk that they can screw up and lock closed, which is a good way to really ruin a motor.

So, that's always something to check.

Next, liquid cooled engine is cooled by heat being transfered from the engine block to a coolant, then that heat is released into the air by the radiator.  

Now, IF a coolant moves too quickly though a radiator, it might not stay there long enough to remove "enough" heat.  So, some systems won't cool the motor with the thermostat completely removed.  Some will gut the thermostat and use that hole to restrict the speed of the coolant...increasing the coolants time in the radiator.  Some will make different sized plates to vary the flow through where a thermostat was.

And sometimes the coolant one uses will change the temperature of the coolant based on how much heat it's able to remove from the engine.

[dylanfan53]

Why bother?  My motor's  8) .  

I'm aware that some have removed the thermostat but I think most mildly built SVs are intact.

I may be doing more to the motor to increase hp this winter though so I'll probably have to address the issue, as well as the possibility of a larger radiator if I go much beyond where I am now.

I'm starting a new post about a/c Ducatis so I don't jack this thread.

[tzracer]

Another trick is to close the bypass circuit (you must remove/gut the thermostat). SVs run cooler with this done.