did anyone read the article in MXaction mag.
the first thing they talk about is to add a radiator brace. has anyone done this?
10 steps to building the perfect 03 CRF450R
Started by Sxdude, Jan 09 2003 12:41 PM
34 replies to this topic
Posted 09 January 2003 - 12:41 PM
did anyone read the article in MXaction mag.
the first thing they talk about is to add a radiator brace. has anyone done this?
Posted 09 January 2003 - 12:44 PM
I have WC's on my 02 and have dumped my bike many a times with no impact on them. My plastic and pipe look like hell but they are standing strong. I'd recomend getting them.
Posted 09 January 2003 - 01:47 PM
The wc radiator braces were the very first thing I bought for my 03 crf. They have withstood some pretty good crashes.
However, this weekend I raced and i did some aggressive racing but did not crash on the right side and the right brace was all bent up.
I just bent it back and straightened radiator mounts and put it back on.
Definitly need some kind of braces though.
However, this weekend I raced and i did some aggressive racing but did not crash on the right side and the right brace was all bent up.
I just bent it back and straightened radiator mounts and put it back on.
Definitly need some kind of braces though.
Posted 09 January 2003 - 03:38 PM
I've got some WC braces on order(someone here mentioned a website called www.monkeybutparts.com and I checked it out and they had a good price on those braces), should be here next week. I think I am going to try getting the stiffer springs too and see what is is like. Now that I am getting better acclimated with my CRF I am hitting stuff harder and have been experiencing suspension bottoming on the faces of several jumps.
Posted 09 January 2003 - 04:17 PM
i have devol extreme. they are heavy duty.i ordered that zip ty fuel mixture screrw they are back ordered.
Posted 09 January 2003 - 05:18 PM
I crashed pretty hard at the dunes without braces and have had the pleasure of replacing the left side radiator - I think with a brace, it would have been fine. Since then, I have ordered WC braces that should be in this week.
Posted 09 January 2003 - 05:19 PM
The Devol might be the better way to go. I have WC and still managed to bend the rad in sideways. enough that when you stand behind the bike you can see the bottom portion of the keft rad curve way in. I am surprised its not leaking. I low sided on the left just after going over a braking bump before going into a banked and bermed turn. The radiator hit dead on, on the side of the breaking bump.
I compared the WC with the Devol and realized the Devol provides much more support for blows to the side as it mounts to the rad mounts instead of the side of the rad like the WC.
The up side to the WC are they are lighter than Devol.
I compared the WC with the Devol and realized the Devol provides much more support for blows to the side as it mounts to the rad mounts instead of the side of the rad like the WC.
The up side to the WC are they are lighter than Devol.
Posted 09 January 2003 - 05:37 PM
Rad guards are a must. I have heard the its $260 a side for new radiators, so $65 in prevention seemed like a no brainer to me. I was surprised when I installed mine that the radiators only real support is the plastics. For being such a high quality race machine they sure do have some questionable parts. I guess its a weight thing, but I think very few people out there will ever notice a few pounds difference in bike weight.
I have the devols and love them.
I have the devols and love them.
Posted 09 January 2003 - 05:53 PM
No, I replaced the right one, the expensive one, on my '02 and it was $115 or so...
I crushed that one by the way in a 1 mph tipover in a corner...they tweak very easily. I've had WC's ever since and they have worked great in some much bigger hits.
I crushed that one by the way in a 1 mph tipover in a corner...they tweak very easily. I've had WC's ever since and they have worked great in some much bigger hits.
Posted 09 January 2003 - 06:51 PM
i've been a crashing fool lately. a few pretty hard hits to the radiator areas. fortunately, i've got the devol rad guards on. they're super solid and have definitely done their job lately. higly recommended.
Posted 09 January 2003 - 07:10 PM
I have WC guards and just dropped my bike in the first turn this weekend and the radiator crushed slightly inwards, I think the WC's are only good for forward and back protection, which is probably slim pickings unless you ride in the woods and hit tree branches, they don't protect from side impact at all!. I'm going to purchase some devol braces as they have maximum support from what i've seen on my friends bike. He just ripped his radiator shroud clean of his bike two weeks ago. nothing at all happened to his raditor.
Posted 09 January 2003 - 07:51 PM
My experience is different, the WC's work great on side impacts. A friend decided to 'help' me push my bike into the truck but pushed a little hard and it hopped out of my hands before I could step up, and when it hit the front of the bed it tipped over and the whole weight of the bike landed on the side of the bed directly on the left radiator. I winced and thought 'well, that radiator's toast', but it didn't even tweak it at all...I was impressed.
Posted 10 January 2003 - 12:13 AM
Sorry about posting the wrong price. I will check myself next time instead of taking someone elses word. 
Posted 10 January 2003 - 01:06 AM
rockymountain has WC Radiator Braces, Honda CRF450R 02-03
$45.99 . but is this price for a pair or just one side.
$45.99 . but is this price for a pair or just one side.
Posted 10 January 2003 - 01:12 AM
Sxdude,
You might consider getting the Devols from TT. Mine came to a total of $78 with tax and delivery. I know its a little more cash, but I think you'd be happy with the increased protection and you'd be supporting TT with your purchase. Just my .02.
You might consider getting the Devols from TT. Mine came to a total of $78 with tax and delivery. I know its a little more cash, but I think you'd be happy with the increased protection and you'd be supporting TT with your purchase. Just my .02.
Posted 10 January 2003 - 05:28 AM
What about restricting airflow? Have you guys seen the braces to be restricting air flow? I saw a pic of some braces(don't remember which ones) and they looked pretty air restrictive? I have held off for that reason. So what is the consensus on blocking air into the radiator? 
Posted 10 January 2003 - 06:05 AM
i think you are talking abou tthe devol. To me they look very restrictive and that was one of the reasons i went with the WC braces. They work great for me.
Posted 10 January 2003 - 06:48 AM
I too am worried about air flow. I do HS and in some of the mud races and real tight sections you will end up going foward REALLY slow or even sitting still for a few minutes.
I know a couple of guys (1 on a yzf/1 on an Exc) and both said the brace were causing over-heating problems. Boy, I would really like something protective on those tender radiators, but over-heating could be more pricy that 115.$
Any HS experiances?
Thanks,
Mitch
I know a couple of guys (1 on a yzf/1 on an Exc) and both said the brace were causing over-heating problems. Boy, I would really like something protective on those tender radiators, but over-heating could be more pricy that 115.$
Any HS experiances?
Thanks,
Mitch
