What have you done to your LC today

GB.

GB.

Well-known member
UKGSer Subscriber
Joined
Feb 4, 2011
Messages
1,542
Reaction score
85
Location
Redneck Norfolk
Kinda nicked this off the ADV site but as we still cant or shouldn’t be out on them I’d thought I’d start a thread as I imagine some of us have been tinkering.
So today rightly or wrongly I added a fan to the near side radiator. Pretty simple installation, took longer to remove the panels than fit the fan. Now when the fan cuts in it cools it a lot faster, I’ve fitted altrider rad guards which like most altrider stuff is heavy duty and does restrict the airflow somewhat. But it’s low speed where I thought I would see the most benefit, especially off road. We will see, I should have timed how long the single fan was on before I fitted the auxiliary one, but hey ho.
134c76f49d5fcfd2ca847114bcf05bf0.jpg
 
Looks good, nice mod.
Will the original fan ever cut in again? Have to say I've often wondered why there's only one fan but trust the manufacturer knows what they're doing......
 
They both cut in at the same time, this fan is powered by the original fan.
 
Luckily I am friends with Mario who owns Twalcom in Italy,they do them as the temperature gets high there and I asked him if I could try one.
 
GB. said:
They both cut in at the same time, this fan is powered by the original fan.
Click to expand...

I see, so it takes the temp from the OE fan. What about power, are you running it off the OE fan circuit, is that man enough?
 
Yes, they are only small electric motors and testing today it ran for just 8-9 seconds to bring it down 6degrees.
 
That's an interesting mod' for the left side radiator! TBH, it's only when riding slow trails in the Iberian summer that my OEM single fan often cuts in every few minutes.

I know it may be considered somewhat cynical to ever criticise BMW Motorrad :rolleyes:, however I always thought it was BMW penny pinching (rather than engineering logic) to only fit one fan. :nenau

When the LC was launched, the majority of owners criticised BMW for not fitting radiator guards. BMW warned owners not to fit guards since this would immediately cause overheating and the resultant damage would not be covered by warranty. :augie
Fast forward five years and OEM (penny pinching plastic) radiator guards / main stand guards are mostly fitted as standard, or available as an "approved" Motorrad accessory. :augie

Here's the blurb from Twalcom http://www.twalcom.com/home.php
"PROTECTED DESIGN"

NEW -"Reduces fan turning-on tmes by 40%, quickly reducing the working temperature". The additional fan kit is part of a family of products aimed at limiting the heat perceived while using the motorcycle.

The additional fan kit for R1200-1250 GS/ADV-LC designed and manufactured by us is a very useful accessory. During use with temperatures medium / high the cooling fan is often switched on and for a long time. Not to mention the difficult situations that often arise during outings with a passenger, fully loaded, in the mountains, off-road. With our kit, the cooling times are halved for the benefit of the engine and the perceived temperature!

The kit consists of: additional fan compliant with CAN-BUS parameters, complete wiring (pre-wired with parallel ignition), steel fixing bracket, stainless steel screws and nuts with self-locking coating and clear instructions in Italian with photos.
 

Attachments

  • Twalcom.jpg
    Twalcom.jpg
    97.6 KB · Views: 1,034
I have already holed one radiator before I fitted the guards, new rad cost a lot more than the fan and the guards did.
But you pay your money and you make your choice. For people with princesses in thief garages their money would be spent elsewhere maybe, any way I can’t be the only GS owner tinkering with his bike this weekend?
 
I polished mine, then waxed it.

Even did the freshly powder coated wheels.

It is looking good:D Not ridden for 3 months, waiting for a decent temps and a dry day.

Sometime just looking and cleaning provides lots of comfort.
 
oddjob said:
That's an interesting mod' for the left side radiator! TBH, it's only when riding slow trails in the Iberian summer that my OEM single fan often cuts in every few minutes.

I know it may be considered somewhat cynical to ever criticise BMW Motorrad :rolleyes:, however I always thought it was BMW penny pinching (rather than engineering logic) to only fit one fan. :nenau

When the LC was launched, the majority of owners criticised BMW for not fitting radiator guards. BMW warned owners not to fit guards since this would immediately cause overheating and the resultant damage would not be covered by warranty. :augie
Fast forward five years and OEM (penny pinching plastic) radiator guards / main stand guards are mostly fitted as standard, or available as an "approved" Motorrad accessory. :augie

Here's the blurb from Twalcom http://www.twalcom.com/home.php
"PROTECTED DESIGN"

NEW -"Reduces fan turning-on tmes by 40%, quickly reducing the working temperature". The additional fan kit is part of a family of products aimed at limiting the heat perceived while using the motorcycle.

The additional fan kit for R1200-1250 GS/ADV-LC designed and manufactured by us is a very useful accessory. During use with temperatures medium / high the cooling fan is often switched on and for a long time. Not to mention the difficult situations that often arise during outings with a passenger, fully loaded, in the mountains, off-road. With our kit, the cooling times are halved for the benefit of the engine and the perceived temperature!

The kit consists of: additional fan compliant with CAN-BUS parameters, complete wiring (pre-wired with parallel ignition), steel fixing bracket, stainless steel screws and nuts with self-locking coating and clear instructions in Italian with photos.
Click to expand...

You could wire up any 12v 5 inch pc fan which will help with cooling, the challenge is mountinr it on the radiator.
 
malcopopolo said:
I polished mine, then waxed it.

Even did the freshly powder coated wheels.

It is looking good:D Not ridden for 3 months, waiting for a decent temps and a dry day.

Sometime just looking and cleaning provides lots of comfort.
Click to expand...

I may clean mine, when is the next solar eclipse?
 
GB. said:
They both cut in at the same time, this fan is powered by the original fan.
Click to expand...


Good idea , in the summer in Southern Germany if you get stuck in traffic or in cities the fan is constantly cutting in and the bike gets very warm
 
malcopopolo said:
You could wire up any 12v 5 inch pc fan which will help with cooling, the challenge is mounting it on the radiator.
Click to expand...

An alternative option for a combined cost of less than £35 :nenau

Wiring (parallel) directly to the OEM fan. :thumb2
https://www.amazon.co.uk/NF-P14r-redux-1500-PWM-Performance-Cooling/dp/B00KF7QO2G/ref=sr_1_17_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=12v+150mm+cpu+fan&qid=1613848621&sr=8-17-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzMVVETzZGRFdOMTE5JmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNTcxMTAzUkw5SkMyUDFZWVIyJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTAyMTc3MjgyOFg2RDVIVzVERE5YJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfbXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

This fan is supposedly rated for a continuous run time life expectancy of 35,000 Hrs / 4 years.:eek:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/GDSTIME-140mm-Brushless-Cooling-140X140X25MM/dp/B083TS86FX/ref=sr_1_11?dchild=1&keywords=Waterproof+12v+150mm+cooling+fan&qid=1613849914&sr=8-11

Or, you could increase the budget and fit an automotive Universal - 12v 80w Straight Blade Fan - 7"
https://www.direnza.co.uk/universal-12v-80w-straight-blade-fan-7?gclid=CjwKCAiAg8OBBhA8EiwAlKw3knAyABXH4_DfLWwQZN7orumAuxyv_BwX-bqTPNez6w1aLc8wg3yN1xoCGz8QAvD_BwE

For higher specification, look no further than the Spal Automotive (brushless) cooling fan catalogue
https://www.spalautomotive.it/documents/20182/35726/brushless_catalogue.pdf

TBH, it would be really easy to fabricate a mount from aluminium sheets (rather than laser cut stainless).
https://www.amazon.co.uk/2mm-Aluminium-Plate-sheet-300mm/dp/B086BNJ6N2/ref=sr_1_4?_encoding=UTF8&c=ts&dchild=1&keywords=Aluminium+Sheets+%26+Plates&qid=1613849353&s=industrial&sr=1-4&ts_id=10257185031
 
It could be done like that I’m sure, I work in engineering and deal with laser cutting and folding on a daily basis and looked at the bracket and thought I could probably make it but if I added up the drawing time for dxf files; materials, sourcing a fan motor, working out the fold factors, powder coating, fasteners etc I reckon I could make it cheaper but not by a massive amount and when this just fits perfectly I thought why bother.
 
Neil W said:
Good idea , in the summer in Southern Germany if you get stuck in traffic or in cities the fan is constantly cutting in and the bike gets very warm
Click to expand...

He live norfolk, so not so hot, and think travel in next years will be UK only for many. :beerjug:
 
GB. said:
It could be done like that I’m sure, I work in engineering and deal with laser cutting and folding on a daily basis and looked at the bracket and thought I could probably make it but if I added up the drawing time for dxf files; materials, sourcing a fan motor, working out the fold factors, powder coating, fasteners etc I reckon I could make it cheaper but not by a massive amount and when this just fits perfectly I thought why bother.
Click to expand...

No disrespect intended to you or your mate Mario; your bike, your choice. :thumb2

However, as with most things in life, there are alternative options; economies of scale and ultimately individual preferences may lead some folk to travel the path of least resistance. :D

Some may even wish to maintain the OEM factory look (for something that resides hidden out of direct sight). :nenau

FYI:

The BMW Motorrad fan housing with fan is part number 17428523118

As many will no doubt be aware, BMW Motorrad (in their infinite divine wisdom) merely chose to fit the OEM fan housing and fan to solely the right radiator. :augie

However, because it's the same identical mounting, the OEM fan housing and fan can be readily fitted to either the right or the left radiator. :)
https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=0A01-EUR-10_2011_K50_BMW_R_1200_GS_0A01,_0A11_&diagId=17_0685#17428523118

Around £220 new from BMW https://www.online-parts.co.uk/bmw-bike-spare-parts/search_results.php?keywords=17428523118

Used @ £95 from Motorworks https://www.motorworks.co.uk/vlive/Shop/Parts.php?T=6&Q=17428523118&search=SEARCH

Used from Ebay @ £50 https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/233096848474?var=0&mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&campid=5338343596&toolid=10001&customid=eb%3Ag%3Avms%3Aeb%3Ap%3A233096848474%3BCjwKCAiAg8OBBhA8EiwAlKw3kpB34LAXXIC_YozASFiOXihKk-TVGVLMLGrRbEeBL_-slZ3aVasPJxoC8OoQAvD_BwE&gclid=CjwKCAiAg8OBBhA8EiwAlKw3kpB34LAXXIC_YozASFiOXihKk-TVGVLMLGrRbEeBL_-slZ3aVasPJxoC8OoQAvD_BwE
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Vladivostok .. or bust
5 6 7
Replies
139
Views
32,588
The Other PaulG
The Other PaulG
Giles
Loosing my virginity in Wales (a novice guide to an enduro event)
2 3
Replies
58
Views
26,887
Giles
Giles
Dellis
The North Cape - An itch that's been scratched...
2
Replies
37
Views
8,501
genon
genon
Twister
What Decals have you fitted to your GS
2
Replies
22
Views
4,668
ExpatinIstanbul
ExpatinIstanbul
THE UNDERWATER BIKE TOUR OF SOUTH NORWAY
2
Replies
38
Views
11,173
GADGET


Back
Top Bottom