Radiator twisted.

A good radiator repair shop should be able to straighten the rad. If the core is twisted, they should be able to replace it with a generic core. When I was in the auto industry working as a mechanic, it was cheaper to recore a rad than to purchase new, but that was 40 years ago

1olbull said:

Too bad you be in the UK.
My OEM rad just needs a little brazing at a top mount to be perfect.
If over here, I would cut you a super deal,

Click to expand...

Stop teasing...

Here is the latest on this.

Dropped it off to a place near Manchester called B&J (fnarr fnarr!) Radiators, verdict was "we can straighten that out, no problem! Not sure about the two holes where top bracket has broke off, but will have a go. I think they can weld the holes then weld bracket back over the top. Estimate £50-£60 if they can do it!

I asked if they pressure test it, he said "No, we just send them out and hope they don't leak! of course we pressure test them ", ask a stupid question, get a sarcy answer.

Will let you know as soon as I know.

Was a proper old school rad builder, was building a radiator for a vintage car when I went in, could have watched all day, if I hadn't nipped out of work for a "meeting at another site"

Update. Picked radiator up today, made a good job of it!

Straightened out the twist, made a new top left fan mount, fixed a few holes where old mount snapped off, a couple of other holes, pressure tested and resprayed black. Apart from a small bend across the top, looks like new and fits the mount points now, result!!!

Ordered a set of Samco hoses, clips and some new grommets for the mounts while it’s off but good so far.

The cost of this work, £45!!

Update - SORTED!!!

Fitted repaired radiator at the weekend with a nice new set of Samco hoses, it is now as straight as it is going to get and fitted straight on, no messing. Hoses were a bit of a faff but not the worst thing I have ever done. Just take your time, a hose at a time and its easy enough.

Flushed it all with water first, drained and then refilled with coolant (NOT forgetting the pesky bleed bolt in the head), ran it up to temp (with TuneECU plugged in so i could monitor temp etc), let it cool down and then topped it up a little, cap on, filled header to max, JOB DONE!

This was looking like a new radiator when I started but cost me £45 for the radiator fix and £100 for the hoses and clips.

I am a happy chappy, the CAT N Write Off that I bought is now fixed and ready for the road and has cost me a total of £750 in parts and repairs and about 3 weekends in the garage straightening and refitting bent bits, plus the bike at £6800. So for £7550, I got a 2013 Roadster with 963 miles on the clock. I am not grumbling at that! Just needs MOT and TAX, already insured (mention that in case of forum police coming along ). I think thats a pretty good deal

Just waiting for my Hogweed radiator cover to come now and it's finished.

Glad you got it all sorted matey … and good to know there are still some old skool workshops about that can repair stuff... just need some good dry roads now here in blighty and you can enjoy it!!!

Update to my update.

Got my Hogweed Rad Cover (very nice) but as the radiator still has a small bow across the top and one side, it was a ***** to fit

Had to make another of the thick black spacers as one of the brackets on the left was just in the wrong place, ground off the captive nut, slotted the hole slightly, extra spacer and we were sorted.

NOW it is ready for the road.

Also been de-chroming it by vinyl wrapping strut covers, master cylinder cover, fork protectors and bear claw. On a previous Rocket I also did the radiator plastics but with Hogweed rad cover I don't need to do that. Now what else can I wrap.......... it is therapeutic

You could vinyl wrap the radiator itself so it doesn't get cold!. Oh and don't forget the exhausts, especially that pesky hole where the noise escapes.