| Author | Message | ||
     Gomo |
Has anyone installed the cooling fan offered from Buell, and if so how well does it work. I use my S3T everyday as a commuter doing at least 150 miles a day. These past 2 weeks have been cooking and I feel more heat than ever coming from the engine (logical). With the heat I get some hesitation and bucking when accelerating. GOMO AMA/HOG/BRAG/I.O.O./C.M.C. | ||
| Hootowl |
I have one on my X1. It works wonders. The fan is stock on the Japanese bound Buells. The octane rating of the gas in Japan is pretty low (or they just have shitty gas). The fan directs air at the intake manifold which helps to reduce the temp of the intake charge. But it also cools the whole engine. There's a thermostat that bolts to the front rocker box. It will come on if you're stopped for a few minutes on a hot day, and shut off after a few minutes even if you're not moving, so you know it's cooling the engine. It's kind of pricey for a fan, but if you live in hot weather, it's worth the money. | ||
| Crazymike |
Hmmm. Pictures? Price? Fit an M-2? | ||
| Hootowl |
There is a fan for the M2. I think it's the same one as the S3, the X1 being different. If I remember correctly, it was $220, but that was from a dealer. You can get it on line cheaper. Not much cheaper, but still cheaper. The kits for the S3 and M2 have a plate that covers the fan since there is no scoop on the left side to cover it like there is on the X1's.  | ||
| Djkaplan |
Could anyone point me to or post a picture of one installed on an M2? | ||
| Blake |
DJ, I haven't seen one mounted on an M2, but it should be no different than on an S3, same frame and all. It attaches to the frame via the three horshoe looking clamps you see in the above pic. The fan mainly blows on the intake manifold. It was reportedly implemented to help cool the intake on DDFI Buells in Japan where more volatile (more easily evaporated) fuel was causing problems with the EFI. If you are worried about excess heat in your engine, I would suggest that an oil cooler would be a much more effctive solution. | ||
| Hootowl |
The fan does blow on the intake as stated above (in a couple of places) but it still carries away a bunch of heat because the air flows over the fins as well. It's enought to cool it off to the point that the fan shuts back off even while standing still. I have added an oil cooler since I moved to Houston though. Every little bit helps. I haven't ever seen it on an M2. In fact, I've only ever seen it installed on one bike...mine. Not a very common item. Probably because like Blake said, an oil cooler is most likely a better option for cooling, even though the sporty based twins aren't air/oil cooled like the Firebolt is. | ||
| Racerx |
There is no fan for the M2. The fan runs off the FI tep sensors. You cam fit the fan on the M2 but it would take some creative rigging to get it to work right. | ||
| Hootowl |
Racerx The fan does not run off the EFI sensors, it has its own thermal switch that attaches to the front rocker box. | ||
| Racerx |
That may be, But.. and i quote from the catalouge > Fan Kit significantly reduces temperature in fuel injection systems. end quote | ||
| Hootowl |
The original question was will it fit on an M2, the answer is yes. Will it cool the bike better than an oil cooler? I have no idea. Gomo, It doesn't connect to the EFI, it has its own sensor, and it is a simple clamp on attachment. It cools more than the intake manifold and even if it didn't, a cooler intake charge is better for carburetor models too. Hope all this helps you make a decision. | ||
| Racerx |
Yes it will fit an M2 cause the S3 frame and the M2 frame are the same except for the rear portion that holds the tail. BUT... Hoot have you seen or know of any one who has put it on a M2 or have you put one on a M2 your self? And if it doesn't plug into the FI system then why don't they make one specific for an M2??? | ||
| Blake |
Cause it was created, like I said above, to address volatile fuel issues in Japan that were causing DDFI problems (fuel vaporizing in an injection system is no bueno). That doesn't mean though, that the fan takes its temperature cues from the actual DDFI system. The DDFI doesn't have a temperature sensor near the injectrors does it? Just an intake air sensor. I bet the fan runs off the rear head temperature sensor voltage. I don't know for sure though. Since mid 2000, M2's have been supplied and/or retrofitted with a rear head temperature sensor that connects to the ignition module. That sensor may or may not properly operate the S3's fan. Worst case, you can hook up a manual switch to turn the thing on. Personally, I think mounting the fan on an M2 is unnecessary. I run my M2 flat out on the track in 100oF Texas heat as well as through traffic and sitting at intersections on baking hot asphalt. I've had no heat related or any other problems. Of course I run a good synthetic (Mobil-1) and have my carb jetted on the rich side. I don't ever get pinging. Whatever though. A fan certainly isn't going to hurt. | ||
| Hootowl |
The fan has its own sensor which mounts to the front rocker box. It is completely independent of the bike's sensors, and continues to run after the bike is shut off to prevent heat soak. (According to the installation instructions I got with mine.) | ||
| Racerx |
Then why don't they have a kit that says >Will fit all S3 and S3T models and 01 and up M2 models ????????  | ||
| Hootowl |
Probably becasue as Blake and I pointed out, the fan was designed to correct a specific problem on DDFI bikes bound for Japan, and are not necessary on US models or non EFI bikes. I found that the detonation I was experiencing went away with the addition of the fan, but I was running the stock 99 ECM (with the original map) at the time. I have the race ECM now, so I could probably take it off and never notice. But, I think the airflow while stopped is a good thing, necessary or not. | ||
| Gomo |
Quote from Hootowl: I think the airflow while stopped is a good thing, necessary or not. I would have to agree. Having both a Sportster and a S3T, my Buell runs a lot hotter, for the obvious reasons. I have always been told by techs; the cooler you can keep your running temp, the better - especially with fuel injection. I think I'll get the fan in a couple of weeks. GOMO AMA/HOG/BRAG/I.O.O./C.M.C. | ||
| Robs |
One thing to keep in mind when you get the fan... As stated above it will run when the bike is off. Here in AZ I had to install an inline on/off switch. I would ride to work in the morning and the fan would run until it killed the battery. If you park you bike in the sun in over 100 degree weather, you have to be able to turn off the fan. An in-line timer would serve the same function. Also when you are stopped at a light and the fan is on, it COOKS!!!!! your right leg. RSD "Japanese Bueller Fuel Cooler" Who thought you would get to use this information again Blake. Rob | ||
| Hootowl |
Mine runs for something like 20 minutes. I worried about it killing the battery, but it hasn't done it yet. 'Course, I have the luxury of parking it inside a parking garage where I work so it isn't in direct sunlight. The motor is still warm when I go home at night though. It's f'ing hot in Houston. | ||
| Blake |
Hey Rob! Yours is the only Japanese Bueller Fueler Cooler fan that I've seen. We sure did get a lot of good info from that tech night. Was good to meet Jeff too. The only OTHER thing I can recall is that guy mentioning something about a cam chain.  Got Guiness?  | ||
| Blake |
Would it not be smart to have the fan switched via the ignition circuit? | ||
| Hootowl |
If it was draining my battery, then I would switch it to an ignition circuit, but so far it hasn't. Also, the instructions say to wire it hot. | ||
| Blake |
Well yeah, the instructions for your Buell also say that removing the stock intake and/or muffler is illegal. You adhere to those instructions too right?   | ||
| Hootowl |
Hey man, I just do what I'm told! | ||
| Darthane |
While you could run the fan off of an ignition circuit, wouldn't it be preferable to use a hot one so that the fan could still run after the bike is off and there is no airflow over the fins to help it cool off? The fan on my XB only runs for about 2-3 minutes even on a hot days before it turns off (granted, the fan on a Firebolt is a lot larger and placed to directly cool the cylinder, but still), and I would imagine some sort of timer spliced into the circuit to allow it to run for ten minutes or so would help cool the engine initially after shut-off without worrying about draining your battery. Removing the stock intake/muffler is illegal? LOL...anyone else notice the big plate riveted to the XB race muffler that says 'Not Street Legal' on it? Bryan | ||
| Hootowl |
I agree. A timed shut off would be ideal. I think I can build one out of a relay, a capacitor, a resistor, and a 555 timer chip from Radio Shack. Shouldn't cost more than ten bucks, and most of that will be the relay. And maybe an op amp or some other kind of driver (54LS108 maybe?) for the relay. Not sure of the current capacity on the output of the timer. | ||
| Blake |
Y'all apparently have entirely too much free time on your hands. :P | ||
| Hootowl |
That's not really at issue. I think it is our ability to talk about nothing for days at a time that is really the focus here... | ||
| Blake |
Bite your tongue! |
