Improving handling

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Actual coolant temperature indicator?

Hi all:

(Please forgive me if you’ve seen this posting on other Eliminator sites...I’m hoping I can find a good answer to my inquiry!)

I’ve gone thru many mods to ensure a cooler running ZL900..., switching to cooler sensors that bring on the fan earlier etc etc. The fan does indeed come on earlier, which of course is a good thing. (When I bought the bike used, it did have a fan override swich on it, but sadly, the previous owner wired it so that it negated the functions of the top coolant temperature sensor (the one that operates the fan, NOT the one that sends an “OVERHEATING” signal to the headlight display area.) I am still intersted in this “manual fan switch” function, but first, here’s my problem:

I’m hoping to find some sort of device that will inform me of the ACTUAL temperature of the coolant, so I can be aware of any possible overheating problems before they arise...I live in Phoenix, Arizona, where it is quite common in the summer to have many days in a row when the temp. outside is above 100 degrees. There are companies that make such devices; the problem is that the threading of the ports into the cooling system are “Kawasaki-custon”, so to speak...the threads are ground so that your standard bolts from a hardware store won’t fit. And I assume that any coolant temperature readers out there would need to thread into these ports.

Do any of you folks have any suggestions as to a possible sloution to my query?

Thanks very much!

Aaron Rubin
 
Just a thought, try contacting the guage manufacturers to see if they offer a sender in a metric pipe thread. Believe it or not, there is such a thing as a metric pipe thread, as opposed to the NPT type. It's kinda like the metric crescent wrench, you never believed there was such a thing until you saw one. 8O
 
As for bringing the fan on earlier........the engine is designed to run at a set temperature. Because its a water cooled engine, the temperature is able to be closely controlled between tight limits. If you are continually running it cooler you may run into trouble with the oil not reaching its proper running temperature. Also the spark plugs may need to be changed as they are temperature dependant as well.

Just a thought

KK
 
mine has a toggle switch for running the fan independetly,(how it was when bought),

although if hot itll come on when parked&run for a bit..

......ive noticed on certain HOT days itll piss a bit out bottom overflow?....

.....im thinking my thermostate is prob' knackered....
?......
 
Re: Actual coolant temperature indicator?

Elimax said:
<snip>
I’m hoping to find some sort of device that will inform me of the ACTUAL temperature of the coolant, so I can be aware of any possible overheating problems before they arise...I live in Phoenix, Arizona, where it is quite common in the summer to have many days in a row when the temp. outside is above 100 degrees. There are companies that make such devices; the problem is that the threading of the ports into the cooling system are “Kawasaki-custon”, so to speak...the threads are ground so that your standard bolts from a hardware store won’t fit. And I assume that any coolant temperature readers out there would need to thread into these ports.

Do any of you folks have any suggestions as to a possible sloution to my query?

Thanks very much!

Aaron Rubin
Click to expand...

I've fitted an "aftermarket" temp gauge. I got it at an auto parts/accessories store. It came with a couple of adapters which I didn't need. You'll find the thread for the sensor/sender unit is a tapered metric pipe thread. We use the metric sytem here in Oz so it wasn't a problem, I'd think you could find the right adapter fairly easily over there though, the gauge may even come with the right adapter.

Over here we have places like Repco, Autobarn etc for aftermarket bits. Not sure what you have over there, have heard names like "Parts Depot" etc mentioned .. anyways, somewhere like that should be able to supply you with a suitable gauge/adapters etc.

All I did was remove the sender for the Temp warning light and replaced it with the sender unit for the gauge. It means I dont have a functioning temp warning light any more, but instead have a gauge that tells me the actual temp.

HTH :D
 
Hey, many years ago I bought and fitted a temp gauge to my car and it came with a rubber grommet over the sensing line. This grommet was flat tapered at both sides so it simply slipped under the hose at the thermostat housing and when the clamp was tightened it was good to go. There was no drilling, tapping, screwing or any other mods at the hot end, just a couple of screws to mount the gauge at the dashboard. This also means that you can retain the OEM idiot light.

As for the fan running at lower temps, I must agree with KK. There’s a reason why taxi’s can get more than a million kilometres out of their 6 cylinder engines here in Oz. It’s not because of our clean air either, it’s because the engines are virtually always at their correct operating temperature. The reason why the family tin top donk doesn’t last so long is because a greater portion of their running time is spent at cooler temps while the engine is trying to warm up, sometimes a little difficult on short city trips. Oh, and for my two bobs worth on the manual switch thing, DON’T DO IT! Sorry, I just don’t trust I would be as consistent as an automatic thermal switch and the cost of rebuilding a cooked (motorcycle) engine just doesn’t warrant it (nor does the pushing 240kg under a hot sun, of course this will be the scenario when you get caught out). IMO if the OEM cooling system has a problem, it really should be fixed (if at all possible). Bypassing the wiring and introducing manual controls may simply end up hiding a more serious problem.

Good luck anyways, I hope this gives you food for thought, sorry if it comes across a little heavy, I’m just an amateur with the occasional strong viewpoint.
 
Was wondering what people had done to improve handling on their ZL's? I saw "LUMI's" bike in the forum with radial tires, I believe. Looks awesome- did it improve handling? Haven't found any mass produced fork braces ( didn't see one from Superbrace?!) Heard a meanstreak fork is possible to install but that may be more than I want to do. Any other suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!!
 
I hear progressive springs front and rear is nice. I haven't a clue on fork braces. Wuputt has one that is custom made,, with eliminator engraved in it.

MachIV had a post on KERA about one of the zrxoa guys making us one. I remember the guy lives next door to me here in NEO. It would be cool to get that going.
 
colin said:
I would be interested if you can find out who it was. :)
Click to expand...

Here's a cut and paste of the original post about the fork brace that was mentioned over on KERA and originally posted on the ZRXOA forum ..

The post is nearly 2 years old and was last edited by Greg Couch, (the original poster) on 09-07-2005. Might be worthwhile trying to contact him to see if they're still available etc etc


Greg Couch on the ZRXOA forum said:
Fork Brace for the ZRX 1100

These are trick looking 6061 T6 aluminum fork braces and weigh in at 11.2 oz.

They are 5 piece design and install easily with a 4mm and 5mm hex head (Allen)
wrench or socket (Not included).

All the hardware is stainless.

Black anodized (Looks REALLY cool)
$117.00 delivered anywhere in the U.S. or Canada.

(I have some bare aluminum ones for $111.00)

(Add $8.00 to ship to the U.K. - takes 5-7 working days).
(Add $10.00 to ship to Australia - takes 7-10 working days).

Payment Info:

Send check or money order to:

Greg Couch
1670 18th Street
Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio 44223

Paypal also accepted at:
[email protected]

Last edited by Greg Couch on 09-07-2005 at 07:35 AM
Click to expand...

I've just had to re-register on the ZRXOA forum because I forgot my login details and the original email account I registered with is now defunct so I can't retrieve my previous login details. As soon as my new registration is fully approved I'll grab a copy of the photos of the above-mentioned fork brace for you.

The one I bought and fitted to my ZL1000 was made and supplied by a KERA member by the name of Rick Maker. It is an old style "chunky" brace with "Eliminator" engraved into the front face.

The only email addy I can find for him is ... [email protected]

Whether that is still a valid email address or not, I don't know .. but maybe worth a try.

Anyways as soon as possible I'll post pix of both sorts of braces ..

Cheers,

:D
 
Thats the same brace that I have Ross, I believe that email addy for Rick is correct. I do have his mailing address at home and if anyone needs it I can dig it up. Only problem I had was that it took about 8 weeks for Rick to make my brace. I had to email and call several times to get him moving on it. The other braces mentioned above are much lighter and more modern styling. If I were to do it over I would probably go that route. The brace definitly stiffens the front up a lot.
The best purchase I made was the Progressive rear shocks. I bought 11" to lower the ass 1.5". They are the 412 series and if you hunt a bit you can get them for $200.
 
I have started looking on ebay for the shocks, would be nice to find a used set! This is probably a dumb question, but is the zrx fork brace a drop on for the ZL? Or should I see if Greg Couch can make one for the ZL?
 
colin said:
Was wondering what people had done to improve handling on their ZL's? I saw "LUMI's" bike in the forum with radial tires, I believe. Looks awesome- did it improve handling?
Click to expand...

yes it is not the same bike anymore after that change :dancingfool:
the grip is amazing, it wont slip anymore (well it took some fun off by same time), if i try to burn rubber by now it only raise front wheel, even if i lay as far on front wheel i can :pale:

now i have Koni shoks on back, this is too a big improvement to the original too and Progressive Suspension springs on front (they are crap, cos they are too small diameter to the tube and by that they keep terrible noise, ill change the brand in near future)

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p299/LUM-1/DSC07060.jpg
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p299/LUM-1/DSC07061.jpg
 
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