Custom Reverse Trike Builds and Other Custom Projects
well the frame is supported better now. now i just need to figure out where to mount the radiator. lookin for feedback on what i have so far. check out the pictures
this was my first though:
with it mounted up front like this it has a few pro’s and cons that i can think of
pro’s: radiator is right up front so optimal cold air would be a plentyful
con’s the hot air that is blowing through the radiator is traveling in the face of the rider, also by running the hoses past the driver to the rear of the car if something happens to the lines it could cause burns to the driver.
i personally think this would be the best option. in the side of the body run an air dam to the radiator. only problem i can think of is it might not offerenough cooling power in stading traffic. i guess i could always steal anoth cooling fan out of a computer somewhere…
only problem i see with this location is it makes the car 6″ wider then it needs to be. so i dont see it working.
let me know what you think
TomA
August 23rd, 2009 at 6:03 pm
The (stock) radiator you have was no doubt designed with pretty strong airflow through it. Honda would have wanted it as small as possible, and they worked the body to get the air in sufficiently. You’re really unlikely to be able to do that unless you hang in out there in the breeze, which creates other problems for you. I would think you won’t be able to get as much airflow as the stock scooter, so you need a somewhat larger radiator and a bigger fan to compensate.
If it were me, I’d be looking to put the radiator (and the heat) right on top of the motor, behind the driver. That’s what Honda did with the Pilot and Odyssey ATVs. That lets the heat rise away from everything, and makes it easier to get air into the radiator, too. The risk of leaking coolant down into the motor or systems is pretty small. You’ll see it right away, too.
Also, try finding a core a little bigger and square, so you can put a bigger diameter fan on it. Motorcycles are typically like that. A single 8″ fan is way better than 3 muffin fans, and the bigger radiator will make your airflow strategy less critical.
Take a look at ebay item number 300340499546 for an idea of exactly what I’m thinking. Of course, just a thought…
TomA