Rad cleaning

Tips, tricks, questions and answers to tech questions
Supermofo
Posts: 4653
Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2020 3:39 pm
Has thanked: 3880 times
Been thanked: 2524 times

Rad cleaning

Post by Supermofo »

Gonna fit my rad guard tomorrow or the weekend. And seems my usual careful clean (careful as in trying not to touch it so rinsing from the rear) has left a few flies remains. Presume best method is gonna be a sponge/GT85 and careful wipe clean?

Although I'm sure they'll be replaced within a 100 miles.
User avatar
Count Steer
Posts: 10449
Joined: Mon Jul 19, 2021 4:59 pm
Has thanked: 5705 times
Been thanked: 4159 times

Re: Rad cleaning

Post by Count Steer »

Stiff-ish bristle brush, hot water and WuL? The matrix shouldn't be that fragile.
User avatar
mangocrazy
Posts: 5899
Joined: Tue Dec 22, 2020 9:58 pm
Has thanked: 2116 times
Been thanked: 3000 times

Re: Rad cleaning

Post by mangocrazy »

On one forum I was on, somebody suggested taking the rad off and immersing and soaking it in a solution that has protein remover in it (it's used by contact lens wearers). That should soften up all the bug carcasses which could then be removed by rinsing through (not with a jet-wash, obvs).

I've never tried it myself so it's effectively untested, but I thought it was an interesting take on removal of insect remains.
There is no cloud, just somebody else's computer.
iansoady
Posts: 385
Joined: Thu Mar 19, 2020 10:12 am
Has thanked: 56 times
Been thanked: 153 times

Re: Rad cleaning

Post by iansoady »

The matrix may not be fragile but the fins will be. I'd just do what I can with a low pressure hose.
User avatar
Trinity765
Posts: 2246
Joined: Fri Nov 06, 2020 2:27 pm
Location: Brighton
Has thanked: 2379 times
Been thanked: 2258 times

Re: Rad cleaning

Post by Trinity765 »

mangocrazy wrote: Thu Apr 04, 2024 2:50 pm On one forum I was on, somebody suggested taking the rad off and immersing and soaking it in a solution that has protein remover in it (it's used by contact lens wearers). That should soften up all the bug carcasses which could then be removed by rinsing through (not with a jet-wash, obvs).

I've never tried it myself so it's effectively untested, but I thought it was an interesting take on removal of insect remains.
I cleaned my rad by soaking it in a big bucket and using a shower with no need for any special cleaners. It worked very well.

Otherwise, waiting until it's very warm and dry and using a dry brush works quite well.
Lockdown refugee
User avatar
mangocrazy
Posts: 5899
Joined: Tue Dec 22, 2020 9:58 pm
Has thanked: 2116 times
Been thanked: 3000 times

Re: Rad cleaning

Post by mangocrazy »

Trinity765 wrote: Thu Apr 04, 2024 4:48 pm
mangocrazy wrote: Thu Apr 04, 2024 2:50 pm On one forum I was on, somebody suggested taking the rad off and immersing and soaking it in a solution that has protein remover in it (it's used by contact lens wearers). That should soften up all the bug carcasses which could then be removed by rinsing through (not with a jet-wash, obvs).

I've never tried it myself so it's effectively untested, but I thought it was an interesting take on removal of insect remains.
I cleaned my rad by soaking it in a big bucket and using a shower with no need for any special cleaners. It worked very well.

Otherwise, waiting until it's very warm and dry and using a dry brush works quite well.
Soaking the rad in a bucket of warm water was what I did the last time I cleaned one, so the same as your option 1. This normally gets done when the bike needs a coolant change.
There is no cloud, just somebody else's computer.
Supermofo
Posts: 4653
Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2020 3:39 pm
Has thanked: 3880 times
Been thanked: 2524 times

Re: Rad cleaning

Post by Supermofo »

There are only a very few so will see what I can do with as little pressure as possible. To be honest they must be so desiccated now I could probably pick em out with tweezers
User avatar
Dodgy69
Posts: 5002
Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2020 6:36 pm
Location: Shrewsbury
Has thanked: 1550 times
Been thanked: 1844 times

Re: Rad cleaning

Post by Dodgy69 »

I'd just stick the gaurd on, a few flies won't hurt. 👍
Yamaha rocket 3