OK- this isn't a major problem- but I find it kinda' funny, and was wondering if anyone else has the same issue.

I live on a dirt road, and every time I drive down it, my front tire picks up the little gravel and dirt, and directs it right into the front radiator scoops. There's no hole in the bottom for the gravel and dirt to get out.

OK- I know I can reach my hand in there and get most of it out, or detach the bottom.

Anybody else dealing with this?:rolleyes:

Ernie from breathlessperformance.com has grill screens that might help but they were pricey.

Max

You bet. We have a long gravel driveway, too, and I collect enough in my scoops to fill some of the holes in it back in. Amazing what collects in there!

Yep. Used my shop vac to clean it out. There was a lot of debris after the 12 hr trip home (in the rain) from Milwaukee...

-Bry

Found a cigarette butt in mine. No doubt tossed from a cage in front of me. If only it was considered littering. What a filthy habit.

The Screen Looks really Trick too!:cool:

Cool screen. Thanks for the tip. I might have to get the funky blue lights to go behind it as well.

Nice to know that I'm not alone.

Been there, done that, collected the rocks; but be careful that the screen doesn't effect the air flow. If you watched Discovery Birth of the V-Rod you'd see the air flow was a design issue, that is why they have the little fins on the inside of the lower half to create turbulence, install screens might effect that. You may not know it now when it's cool but in the summer, who knows.

Dave

The screens look cheap (IMO). Lots of folks who purchased them aren't happy with the quality in the least.


John

John,
I think IMHO it looks very Cool!There are not a 5 minute install but feel like it was a very cool Mod!:cool:

I have had the screens on for a few months now and have not had any problems

G'day Worm.
Any chance of a photo of your radiator setup?
I live in the tropics, and high temps all year round, so I'm concerned with effecting air flow as per the previous post.

Best wishes.

Ken.

Actually, it's ok, I went to their web site.
The water temp guage looks good.

Ken,
I have the gauge.It will really let you know just how good the cooling system is on our bike!It takes a while to get upto operating temp even when it's nice out!:cool:

Thanks Kaz.
I'll look into it.
I know we probably don't need it, but it's good to know.
That binicle would be great for a clock as well.

Best wishes.

Ken.

Shop vac is handy for sucking out all the debris... has anyone tried fabricating a 'trap door' for the bottom? I'll bet that would solve the problem (hmmm... I feel a winter project coming on!)

I have bought and installed the screens from BPP. Kaz, you're right, they are not a 5 minute install. I even had to do some trimming to make them fit right. Then in the end I took them off cuz I thought they looked cheap. Take a close look at the pic on their web site - see the big gap by the top fin? Well, after talking to Earnie, I guess they are all this way. He claims that they can't round it off and that's why the big square cut-out there. Not sure I agree with that as the tops are curved???

I think the screens are an excellent idea, just not executed that well by BPP. This is just meant as a heads-up to anyone that wants only nicely finished products on their bike - this one is not. Again, excellent idea, just needs some more work.

Just my :2cents

I have a dirt (sand) road too. Its becoming my worst enemy. I don't know whats worse, the sand in the radiator or on the cuffs of my jeans and boots.

What we need is a switch that says "dirt road mode", that reverses the direction of the radiator fan blowing the sand/dirt forward and away at slow speeds. :)

:) and at high speed it will blow away the bugs.:rofl3:

I really like my screens from Breathless. I wasn't impressed with their service though. They cost $89 and quite frankly are one of the best looking mods on the bike .... they do not look cheap IMO.

Michael,
Your bike is looking really Nice!Is that Ozzy's stuff?I sure dig his New Wild Stuff!:notworthy By the way I really like the way my screens look too!;)
P.S Ditch the Fork Reflectors though!:yak:

They do look cool to me. That sure is one hot bike Michael333. This reminds me I've been meaning to remove my fork reflectors. Lazy!

They are an excellent idea and I think COULD look really good - especially since I have the Rizoma belt guard with similar screens. I just can't overlook that gapping square cut out above the top fin...especially for $89! But that's just me though.

Michael - those skins are awesome! I see you also have the turn signal trim kit. I like that look. Might have to consider them!

Those are nice looking screens... but they will cause your bike to run hot, and depending on your dealer, may void your warranty.

My "resident expert" just brought in a nifty little gadget - made by Blue Point and sold through Snap-On, #YA253A - hook it up to your air line, push the button, and it sucks up the gravel nasties through a nickel-sized aperture, up a hose and into a little bag.

I still think a trapdoor would be the hot setup.

Hey Kim, welcome to the forum. Ya know, there a lot of smart people here on the forum, and sometimes it gets to the point that you just have to do what's right for you. I mean, guys like Kaz, or others that are fronteiring new territory will tell you....sometimes you stick your kneck out .... do what's right for you. period

Kim,
I live in one of the Hottest state in the USA and the screens have not made it run hot at all.I run a water temp gage so I data log allot!Are Bikes cooling system is world class in fact it's to good at the track we tape her up so we can get it up to operating temp faster.The motor has to be at like 150-160 for the High end RPM Limit to turn off or else it cuts off 1000 rpm earlier.Not good for going Fast!:eek: It takes a while 3-5 minutes of Ideling to get up to that temp on a normal day.In the cool weather it would take some very aggressive riding to warm her up properly.:diablo:

Michael333 - Awesome looking bike! Where did you get the chrome cover that fits around the keyhole? Does it get scratched at all from your keys hanging down?
The screens look good, but I noticed the poorly cut area also (on the web site...not on your bike)...it seems they could be made a bit better.

Originally posted by Michael333
Hey Kim, welcome to the forum. Ya know, there a lot of smart people here on the forum, and sometimes it gets to the point that you just have to do what's right for you. I mean, guys like Kaz, or others that are fronteiring new territory will tell you....sometimes you stick your kneck out .... do what's right for you. period
I agree wholeheartedly, Michael... and the 'Rod still has lots of room for improvement in various areas. We are all familiar with the saying concerning opinions... LOL. :icon_mrgr

Thanks all --- Crash, that's a HD item. There is another plate that comes with the package that goes on the other side. I wish that HD would have make a plate to cover the gas tank as well -- I really do think that it would make a huge difference.

Oh, and by the way Crash, courtesy fox two. (I flew F-18D's before I got out -- but it's the old thunder pig F-4 that still has my heart. Sat in the F-16 cockpit -- The ACM optimized cockpit is somthing else. And the viz --- man-o-live. Awsome. I know what that g-limit is for operational purposes...... felt those blood vessels in your feet poppin haven't ya.

Hey Kaz... I'm at the point right now that I don't feel like doin' a fookin thing with the bike. The grilles were the last mod -- what a pain in the ass. I will tell you though that the 'Rod has been a good experience. It was like my computer -- once I started rippin' into it there was no stopping me.

Michael,
I'm not there yet!:icon_twis I have some Really Exciting new Mods planned and will share them with All Very Soon!:sinister:

And those screens were $129.00 until people were so pissed off on VTF that Ernie lowered the price. I still think they look VERY cheap. Look at that FUGLY gap.

http://www.breathlessperformance.com/products/Radiator-Grille-web-large.jpg

And read this.

http://www.harleydavidsonforum.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=20766&perpage=15&pagenumber=6

I bought the Radiator and Regulator covers, I fill they were way over priced for the quality of the product. The regulator cover just rattles around if you put it in as is. I had too make rubber bushings along the sides to firm it up. My 2 cents worth, make your own.


http://www.harleydavidsonforum.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=291831#post291831

As I let you know, I already installed them because I did not think I would get a response back. So this means I already altered the radiator covers to accomidate the grills. Taking them off now would leave me with loose fitting covers. The ad DID say finish your VROD with the high tech look of stainless steel, sounds like a dress up to me.
Lesson learned. the hard way.



And read this PM I received from a member of VTF.


appreciate
Just a note to "thank you" for keeping it "real" with these vendors. It's great that you squeeze out the truth in some of their ads.
Owning a Vette I have seen Breathless advertise on the Corvette forums and no one takes the time to challenge him on his claims. Every time I go to see his race car run, it breaks.
Thanks again.
XXXX



John

Now John since when are you the Fashion Police?:slap2: ;)

Michael333 - No complaints about the F-16....I'll always love it no matter what else I may fly! I always wanted to get a ride in the F-4, but unfortunately it hasn't happened yet (and there are a lot fewer around these days!) I'm at school right now and am looking at a one year remote staff tour after school...THEN back to the Viper! Can't wait! Thanks for the words on the covers...any problems with your keys scratching the cover on the right side? - Crash

Couldn't have said it better myself, John.

And the unfortunate thing is that I had to trim them to make them "fit". Once I saw them on the bike they only stayed on for a few seconds (didn't see that gap above the top fin on the picture on their web site). But now that I've trimmed them I can't return them!

If after all this anyone wants them...they can have them.

Craig

I have the screens from Breathless and with a little fabrication and time with wirecutters, i made them fit really well. of course my advice would be to get a nice stainless steel screen somewhere and cut it out yourself, thats what i'd do in retrospect.

Crash,
I have the same tank inserts that Michael333 has. Harley supplies a plastic film for the key side so that you don't scratch the finish off. The it looks like crap on,a nd after removing it, I ahve since scratched the s%@t out of it with the key FOB. Not sure I would do it again...

-Bry