| Author | Message | ||
     Jointeffortracing |
We were doing extended testing today, the outside temp was 81F at an elevation of 5700ft, and after 45 minutes of flat out track time the Buell was over heating. It was bad enough water was boiling out of the overflow. Has anyone else had this problem? Do they make over sized radiators for racing bikes? | ||
| Carbonbigfoot |
I have had zero issues with overheating, but from what I've read... 1. Make sure the radiators are properly full. Some have come a little short. 2. Water Wetter. Never a bad idea. Just increases the efficiency of any heat transfer to or from the coolant. What was the CT showing? Good luck! R | ||
| P_squared |
Check the Flexiglass bodywork & radiator option. GrandStand Designs (sponsor) carries it. Redirects the airflow, removes the fans, and reported to reduce the CT. A few folks have used it for racing. I'm pretty sure the RMR bikes were set up this way at the beginning of the year IIRC. Until then though, +1 on what Rob suggested. I'd also recommend being sure to completely flush & purge the system. IIRC there have been some reports of a few bikes having air pockets in their systems leading to overheating. | ||
| Jointeffortracing |
Thanks guys, I looked on GrandStand's website and didn't see any radiators, I will give them a call next week after the holiday and speak to them. I searched the web last night and didn't see where anyone was marketing a larger radiator so maybe more of an isolated problem or not enough market. Phil you brought up an interesting point, I remember looking at the scoops and thought about opening them up to increase flow. We also discussed removing the fans as they are not needed for racing as the air flow is sufficient, but maybe needed post race cool down. The bike was also running with the inner airbox on with a 1.00 mix, never had a chance to try a run without the airbox to see if the richer mixture helped the bike run cooler. Everyone went into panic mode, even ripped off the bodywork thinking that may have been a problem. I am hoping the new ECM (thanks Rob) will help with the tuning issues, and possibly some of the overheating. | ||
| Neufey |
don't know if you've been on there web site or not but here is the flexi-glass stuff. http://www.flexi-glass.com/buell.cfm . The guys at RMR suspension tell me there 1125 runs so cool that after its done on the track the frame is just a little warm to the touch. Unlike mine that I could probably boil water with its so damn hot. | ||
| Blake |
Motorcycles on the track don't sit still long, always plenty of air circulating. If your frame gets as hot as you say, then there is something horribly wrong with your bike, and you should have it looked at by the dealership forthwith. | ||
| Jointeffortracing |
Hi Blake, it is the engine overheating, I wasn't at the track so I can't comment on the frame but I will ask. I think it is an engine or cooling system problem | ||
| Zac4mac |
Most likely you have bubbles in the cooling system. Do you have the service manual yet? Z | ||
| Zac4mac |
From the FSM: High coolant temp: 1. stuck thermostat 2. blocked hoses, pipes or passages 3. defective cooling fan(s) 4. faulty water pump 5. low coolant level 6. air in hoses, pipes or passages 7. defective pressure cap 8. defective engine coolant sensor Z | ||
| Rubberdown |
Here's my info from yesterday just for comparison. I ran six practice sessions yesterday at the track. It was 90 degrees. Bike has airtech body with stock pods, belly pan, no lowers, no fans. Stock engine with race ecm, race exhaust. Bike ran cooler than my r6. 194-204 on the track. Hottest I saw was 214 when I reached my pit and had not shut it down and coasted in. I overheated but not the bike. (Message edited by rubberdown on September 06, 2009) | ||
| Jointeffortracing |
Thanks Zac, looks like we start chasing water gremlins... Does anyone know if the other racers are still running their thermostats or restrictor plates? Mike we are running a very similar setup except we have a stock ECM at the moment that has been tuned by a Aprilla racer friend of ours. Our racing ECM should be in next week. I have seen some of the other racers that have cut up their pods ,people like Shawn Higbee. I think I would need more information before we start cutting up pods. If yours is running that cool, I think Zac is right and it is just a simple problem with the cooling system | ||
| Blake |
Sorry Mark. I was responding to Neufey's post, not your. I think Zac is the man to heed for the correct approach for your situation. | ||
| Carbonbigfoot |
+1... R | ||
| Rubberdown |
Caveat ... I did not have any 45 minute sessions. Mine were 20-25 minutes. CT's seemed to be pretty consistent. | ||
| Jointeffortracing |
Agreed Blake, if this isn't a common problem, especially for the guys like Zak that are in the high desert then I am guessing it is just a cooling system problem. Up until now we also have just been doing short 15 to 20 minute runs and wanted to put both the bike and the pilot through its paces to make sure we were ready. The Buell has been sitting for the past 3 months as it has been winter here. I think we will start with the obvious things like thermostat and radiator cap then make sure it is properly filled and that no air is in the system. I will let you know what we find. Thanks for the help. By the way Zak, pardon my stupidity, do you guys race up there? | ||
| Zac4mac |
Some do, the dealership I work at has several entries in different venues. I, personally do not. Have not even done a track day, can't afford it. I've been on a track once, Road America for two parade laps. That was enough to leave me giggling like a schoolgirl. I do know that the 1125's cooling system is finicky in it's set-up. It seems very similar to "burping" the LT1 in my Z-28. Any bubbles at all will result in overheating and spewing, especially if the motor is pushed. I was tempted, last year at Homecoming to do the trackday at Blackhawk, but as the 1125 was my transportation, it did not seem prudent. I could not risk wadding my new bike and not have a way home. I very much enjoy semi-technical riding, but rarely push my limits. I am by no means "race-ready". Zack | ||
| Jointeffortracing |
Went through the checklist and here is what we found. Low on water, yup, refilled Water circulating, yup. Didn't do flow test but saw it was moving No obstructions in air path. Thermostat is working,opened at 60c but really thinking of disassembling it and just making an orifice plate. Don't really want a $2 part taking us out of a race. Fans (soon to be removed) kicked on at 75c I truly think the system needs burped and massaged like Zak said. We will do some more checking this week, then take it to the track again Sunday for more long runs and see if it is sorted out. I was looking at the pics of RMR's bikes that Court posted. Interesting to see that they relocated their radiators like elephant ears to increase air flow. That may be next weeks project. | ||
| P_squared |
If you're talking about the pics of the RR radiators, you might want to talk with Henry and discuss it. I don't think it's a simple "mounting relocation" exercise to go from the R to the RR config, but I could be wrong. You can email them via xbraceparts at buell dot com As for the RMR Buell's, they started off the year with the FlexiGlass bodywork & fan removal that GrandStand Designs carries. Get in touch with Pete (Xbcrazy) and ask for details. Here's a thread with discussion on the Flexiglass bodywork: http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/158 664/380869.html Just my $0.02 & YMMV. | ||
| Jointeffortracing |
Phil, Thanks for the insight, I have been looking at the Flexi-glass body work and really like it. My estimates are that the fairing would cost us well over 5k delivered here with the VAT and shipping. If you have doubts ask Carbon, he about had a coronary over shipping a small box here, it is absolutely stupid. We are not trying to reinvent the wheel but make it more efficient here, as we are racing in an unlimited class, unlike AMA, we have more freedom for changes. I will PM Xbcrazy and get his input, would really like one of those fairings, even if it has to come by a slow boat. Phil, thanks again for your input, maybe it is time to look for cut-aways of the RR or better yet just ask Henry  |
