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Radiator advice?

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RidingWithStyle

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So i was tearing down my yz250 to get it ready for a new top end. They were pretty bent up to begin with. Well so i was taking them off the bike and since they had been “yanked up” the bolts holding them to the bike frame was bent so it snapped the bolt head off trying to remove it. Upon further inspection i see the left side bottom is broken where the weld is. They are fluidyne radiators. Assuming they are aluminum? Could i get that welded back together and since the fins and rads are bent and crushed up could i get them straightened back out?

 

My only other option is getting new ones from a reputable seller off ebay for $90 since i am trying to get my motor fixed currently.

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Grand Master

BOAB

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9 hours ago, RidingWithStyle said:


Out here giving me car radiator brands lmfao. I will most likely straighten mine out best i can and have it welded back together.

They make the best dirt bike radiators in the world.  Built in bracing.

https://www.mishimoto.com/mx-atv/x-braced-dirt-bike-radiators.html

Product-Category-Pages-DBXRads.jpg

Edited by cjjeepercreeper
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Grand Master

BOAB

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3 minutes ago, Sycamore said:

Who says they are the best in the world?  I havent seen them but Meylers is pretty darn stout, plus they are built in usa.  

Their dirt bike radiators are the same quality as the auto ones.  Mishimoto is world renowned for their quality.  If you look at the build quality of their radiators as compared to any other brand you will be amazed.  The welds and finish are superior to anything I've ever seen (look at those laughable ebay radiators).  They totally 100% stand behind their products.  We have a stroker Mustang with a complete Mishimoto cooling system and a CRF450R.  BTW, their hoses are great, too.  Anything like this is obviously subjective to a great degree, but I doubt very much there are any radiators and parts out there that are better.

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05Yz125ForLife

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If you are going to straighten them yourself take you time.  Laying the bike over a few time they start to crush in.  I tried to straighten a twisted radiator that wasn’t leaking and ended up with a great looking radiator that leaked.  I would use some heat and go slow.  Lots of you tube videos!

I ended up going with Mishimoto as I saw them recommended by EG on his website for some bikes with big bore kits.  The YZ125 doesn’t need them for a 144 but since I needed one I bought a pair for $230.  They have 30% more capacity.   I saw the fill side on amazon for $65 last month but it is back to $110 now.  They are great radiator but still alum and alm bends.

 

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Grand Master

Shhhh

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I am always shocked when guys will only spend 80-100 bucks for their several thousand, or more dollar dirt bike.  Poor craftsmanship in sweat shops, some may be fine, some may not.  Last I checked, radiators are like the immune system for your bike.  Get a high fever, sieze the engine.

 

Mylers will make any radiator look brand new, and brace them for 75 bucks a side, plus shipping.  American money, being spent on an American family business, for a superior product.  Makes sense to me, but please, save 50 bucks and buy some Chinese junk so you can grow their economy.  One more reason American industries are doomed.

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RidingWithStyle

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I am always shocked when guys will only spend 80-100 bucks for their several thousand, or more dollar dirt bike.  Poor craftsmanship in sweat shops, some may be fine, some may not.  Last I checked, radiators are like the immune system for your bike.  Get a high fever, sieze the engine.
 
Mylers will make any radiator look brand new, and brace them for 75 bucks a side, plus shipping.  American money, being spent on an American family business, for a superior product.  Makes sense to me, but please, save 50 bucks and buy some Chinese junk so you can grow their economy.  One more reason American industries are doomed.

Yeah but i am also in the boat of my motor having some problems getting fixed right now. So spending $400 on radiators would be great but for me (19) having to pay for everything on it, its pretty hard to do. And i tried straightening mine out last night and the sides are so crushed in they wont straighten.
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Grand Master

Shhhh

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8 minutes ago, RidingWithStyle said:


Yeah but i am also in the boat of my motor having some problems getting fixed right now. So spending $400 on radiators would be great but for me (19) having to pay for everything on it, its pretty hard to do. And i tried straightening mine out last night and the sides are so crushed in they wont straighten.

I never said spend 400, I said spend a little more than 150 for repaired oem that are braced.  That's money that is well spent imo.  Buying Chinese rads for 50 bucks less?  You're 19, you think the rad shop in China will hire you, or do you think you'll find work with a local mom and pop shop?  Not if people keep sending their money overseas.  

 

Dirt bikes are an expensive endeavor, I had to quit riding at 20, and couldn't afford to get back into it until I was 38.  The eb and flow of life, we all have to pay to play.  

Edited by poldies4
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slowmoto

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Try fixing it for free.

 

The author looks to be the same age as you. It worked for me and it is surprising how much you can bend and not break it. I just straightened one and learned a new lesson. Don't try to straighten a spigot with something smaller diameter. Aluminum is very soft. Be gentle and use heat. Otherwise you will have leaks at the hose connections like I did and repaired with epoxy.

If it leaks, try this. It also worked for me.

https://www.diymotofix.com/blog/how-do-you-fix-a-radiator-leak-on-a-dirt-bike

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05Yz125ForLife

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Good to know about Mylers as I still have my OEM radiators.  I must say I like Mishimoto radiators and at $110-$120 a side I think they are a good value.  They have a location in Delaware (and four locations worldwide) so they employ some Americans.  Providing business to US company's supporting Illegals doesn't accomplish anything but keep labor rates down at the expense of the US citizen or legal alien!  I like to support american companies if the value is there and as for as for Mylers it sounds like they definitely are a value but just not the only one.  I don't feel understate the radiators but understand your point - some people do.  However, you can take that argument to an extreme as well.  Its the whole question of which body part is the most important the heart, brain or &%$#@! (when it back up the whole system becomes full of S&*@t!)?  Not sure that question is applicable in this debate but I sure loved using it!  

Does anyone know what brand of braces work with over-sized radiators?  Bike is a 2005 YZ125.  Thanks for any input.  

 

 

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