New fan

Technical Help Forum

New fan

Blindstitch2002 07-21-2008, 3:56 PM
Got my new fan today and I was wondering if it is possible to just take out the radiator bolts, unhook the top hose and lean the radiator out of the way.
Or do I have to go all the way.
drain the radiator
take it all off and go from there.

1978 Honda Cx500 Maggot
1979 Honda Cx500 Custom
1980 Honda Cx500 Deluxe Couch Project Bike

CX500 Factory Service Manual
Courtesy of Randall-in-Mpls

Re: New fan

the cheese 07-21-2008, 5:47 PM

It will not lean out of the way. Besides don't you want to flush it as well? With my fairing it only took 1 hour to get to the fan. You will be amazed how quiet the bike will be after a new fan. Any questions just ask. I just got done doing this, again, yesterday.

Michael

1981 CX500 Custom
Just say no to skin graphs, wear your gear!

Re: New fan

Ayal 07-21-2008, 6:00 PM
I agree with Michael. Drain and remove. Leaning the rad forward may bump into the wheel and may start dripping from the top. Also, the radiator is old, and leaning it will put stress on the bottom connection, could bend or damage it.

Strive to learn something new every day

Re: New fan

Anonymous 07-21-2008, 6:45 PM
I agree, treat these old ladies with love and care. Be kind and gentle. Talk sweetly to them while removing their parts.

Re: New fan

Blindstitch2002 07-21-2008, 6:57 PM
Well it looks like i have all the time I need to do the fan replacement. I successfully snapped off what I had left of a semi broken tappet when I was adjusting the valves to the correct settings. So now I have to wait for the replacement tappet to get here.

I was looking around the fan and saw that one of the braided covered wires had been cut.
Any chance the one that goes by the fan is the for the oil light. My light has never worked and that would be a good reason why.

1978 Honda Cx500 Maggot
1979 Honda Cx500 Custom
1980 Honda Cx500 Deluxe Couch Project Bike

CX500 Factory Service Manual
Courtesy of Randall-in-Mpls

Re: New fan

Ayal 07-22-2008, 5:05 AM
Yup, it's the oil flow sensor.

Strive to learn something new every day

Re: New fan

Blindstitch2002 07-22-2008, 7:50 PM
Well I installed the new fan today. I was pretty surprised at how simple it actually was to do. I have several projects that have set in motion due to a broken tappet screw. Put the fan on. hooked up the cut oil flow sensor wire. Now that works. first time in 6 years. While the radiator was off I took an impact driver and removed the trim. I am painting up the sides. Not sure if I am going to do the chrome mounting bracket. I hit it with a scotch brite pad and it cleaned up pretty decent.

I have the gas tank sitting in the sink. I am sanding off some bad clearcoat that bubbled on me.
And I am thinking of changing out the throttle cables.
This is the most productive that I have been with the bike semi broken in a while.

I am painting the radiator gloss black but I am wondering.

Has anyone used the chrome metal rustoleum paint? if so does it look ok?

1978 Honda Cx500 Maggot
1979 Honda Cx500 Custom
1980 Honda Cx500 Deluxe Couch Project Bike

CX500 Factory Service Manual
Courtesy of Randall-in-Mpls

Re: New fan

the cheese 07-24-2008, 5:58 PM

If you do replace cables, I must suggest the Honda cables. I used Motion Pro, they rusted in a week. I'm not kidding. They still work fine. Been on there for a year now. But they are ugly. The "chrome" adjustment, next the controls is now a nasty brown. The nut did not fit corectly into the control housing. The tach cable from them broke in about 6 weeks. Put a new Honda on there now. You can really tell the differance.

I also cleaned up the rad trim. when I was waiting for a new fan. Took me three hours a side to get all that crap off them. It was worth it thou, looks much better now.

1981 CX500 Custom
Just say no to skin graphs, wear your gear!

Re: New fan

LRCXed 07-24-2008, 7:02 PM
Sounds like the old girl was just waiting for a little attention! Good thing you gave it to her! They get cranky when they get ignored for to long!

If your going to do something, do it right, don't do it half as@*d.
http://globalcxglvtwins.hostingdelivered.com/

Re: New fan

Blindstitch2002 07-24-2008, 8:01 PM
I ended up changing the throttle cables to the motion pro cables. Only reason why is because I ordered them a few years ago and had them sitting around. I have them routed the same way as the originals but it doesn't quite snap back in like the old ones do. They work fine till I get half way turned to the right. I played with them for a while but this is the best that they are doing.

Is there a way to put a light spring on the carb to pull them back in.

Didn't want to get stranded with a snapped throttle cable like others.

1978 Honda Cx500 Maggot
1979 Honda Cx500 Custom
1980 Honda Cx500 Deluxe Couch Project Bike

CX500 Factory Service Manual
Courtesy of Randall-in-Mpls

Re: New fan

LRCXed 07-25-2008, 10:20 AM
Most of the time, I find that little things like one cable over the other , or twisted around each other can cause a drag. Did the cables match up exactly in length? I found mine to be just a bit longer. I had to turn the metal curves under the Throttle controls forward a little to compensate for it. Make sure you get them in as free flowing arches as possible.Turn the throttle to where it's dragging and then move the cables around till you feel it smooth out. On mine, I had to also run the ends by the carbs in an upward direction and strap it in place with one of the center bar straps. They also might need some lube because they sat for so long and have a little corrosion inside! Hope all these ideas help!

If your going to do something, do it right, don't do it half as@*d.
http://globalcxglvtwins.hostingdelivered.com/