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Buckinfuell
Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 06:54 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

As I stated in previous post, the three things I hate/d most about the XB12S are: 1) stock handlebars, 2) stock exhaust, and, 3) that DAMN FAN NOISE!!! The first two I can fix, and have, but what can be done about the third?

Does anyone know of an aftermarket fan designed to significantly reduce noise, particularly at a stop? Or, something that will help keep the engine below the fan-ON temperature. I have switched to synthetic oil, but of course that makes no noticeable difference in fan operation.

I am hoping that once I get my Drummer installed, I won't notice it as much...
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Sik_s
Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 07:13 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Some people say that after installing a right side air scoop that they rarely hear the fan kick on. The problem is if at any time the fan is prone to come on it is at a stop I believe. The engine is air cooled and air doesn't pass by the engine at a stop. So what are you left with...the fan. Of course that is only if it gets hot enough which it might not with the right side scoop. But c'mon if your fan never comes on when you park and turn the engine off and walk away then you will never get to see people marvel at your engine that is still running or marvel how quiet your electric bike is.
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Buckinfuell
Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 07:28 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Sik_s, any idea where I can get a right-side scoop? Does American Sport Bike carry one?
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New12r
Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 07:33 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

After about 15k with syn 3 my fan pretty much stopped running under normal riding conditions.
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Firebolteric_ma
Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 08:23 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

i run twin scoops and my fan still runs. not as much but but still..it is there.
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Whodom
Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 08:39 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Fan noise seems to be a common complaint among recent new Buell owners, especially Ulysses owners. I suspect it's near-impossible to design a fan that small that moves that much air without being loud. Fan noise is pretty much directly related to fan speed, and a fan that small has to turn fast to move enough air.

If it possible to significantly reduce the noise the fan makes, I bet it'll be an upgrade on the 07 models. Wait ~3 weeks and maybe you'll find out you can order what you want from Daves.
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Streetfightercityx
Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 10:20 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

My fan ran quite a bit but as stated above it gets better over time. When I put syn 3 in it I noticed a dramatic decrease in fan run time. Then to top it off I put on louder exhaust. Now I wonder if my fan runs at all...
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Bigwallfish
Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 10:28 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

buckinfuell....when you install your drummer you'll barely hear the fan anymore, so it's not really worth the extra trouble or cost of a right side scoop.
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Teeps
Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 10:30 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Welcome to the club.
I found that ear plugs work best to quiet the fan noise.
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Phantom5oh
Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 10:41 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

On my 45 minute ride to work this morning, my fan didn't come un until I shut the bike off in the parking lot. My ride is about 15 minutes doing 35 mph on back roads, 10 minutes in bumper to bumper traffic doing 10 mph, and 20 minutes on the highway at 80.

It's been like that pretty much every day since I added the RSA and switched to synthetics.

Before I did that, the fan would be on before I even got to the bumper to bumper traffic.
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Destroy
Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 11:57 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

A squirrel cage type fan would be by far the quietest type fan. Just need to find a 12V one that will fit, is water proof and flows enough air is all.
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Diablobrian
Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 12:12 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I considered the squirrel cage, but it will obstruct natural air flow when the
fan is not running where the current fan allows air flow. So I don't think it'll work.
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Whodom
Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 12:44 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Squirrel cage fan will likely have very different pressure/flow characteristics compared to stock propeller type fan. You might find something suitable and you might not.

Standard computer-type propeller cooling fans are 12V DC. You could look on-line and perhaps find something similar to but quieter than the stock Buell unit. Noise level can be altered by number/shape of fan blades and speed. Only likely drawback I see is it is NOT likely to be weather-proof.

(Message edited by whodom on June 27, 2006)
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Chadhargis
Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 01:30 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Why does everyone have such an aversion to the fan.

I personally like it, and wish more air cooled bikes were so equipped. Makes me feel good knowing I'm not cooking my engine when I'm stuck in traffic or at a stop light.

Yeah, it's loud, but I've seen guys marveling about how loud their exhaust is, then complain about how loud the fan is.

Pretzel logic if you ask me.
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Xbeau12s
Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 01:30 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Maybe somebody could come up with a smaller scoop that directs air directly at that area? Probably been thought of before. My 04 XB12S fan is not that loud at all. It's ran a few times while riding but nothing to bother me. I'm guessing the new ones have a bigger, louder fan maybe? I have the pro-race kit and that pipe does a good job of drounding out the fan noise. Kind of sounds like a jet engine when the fan is on.
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Sik_s
Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 01:30 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

BuckinFuell,
look under Buell/model/body parts and on page 2 there is the right side air scoop at American Sport Bikes page.
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Glitch
Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 01:35 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I love it when we ride up to the Vortex on Bike Night and we switch off our bikes. The sound of 10 or so fans coming on in harmony is really different. If asked, I just tell them it's my After Cooler.
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Kuuud
Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 02:00 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

The fan on the Uly definately runs longer/louder than my 9's did. I understand the 'older' 12's weren't as loud either. I'm just wondering if the difference is entirely the fan...

The '06 meet the '08 emissions levels, correct? Therefore they are likely running hotter, which also contributes to the massive right-side heat...

IMHO

Bret
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Poplifedc
Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 04:14 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Personally, I like the fan. When I park it the kids run up to it thinking its still on. I tell em I had a really good run and its cooling off.
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