Mystery oil lines

[mlivkovich]

I know these things never warm up enough in cold weather (hence the handbook says block part of the oil rad off).

I only have the downloaded handbook, for the life of me I can't find where it even mentions the oil cooler let alone how much or which part to block off. Can you please elaborate 

[Andre]

These bikes never came with an oil cooler cover. The after market covers are made for protection (and bling). They don't cut down much, if any, on the cooling. You need to make your own cover that can be easily adjusted and taken off.

A thermostat is a much more convenient solution. Suzuki skipped on this and an oil temperature gauge. At 10° it takes at least 10 km to get to 60° (~70° at the thermo-switch for fan)  at the screw-in gauge. At 20° it takes about 5 km to what I consider operating temperature.

As I am afraid to touch the screws of the oil cooler (known issue of flimsy cooler), I want a sturdy cooler before I attack this issue.

@T24 Maybe the Improved Racing or the Mishimoto thermostat are easier to find a space.

[Hooli]

I know these things never warm up enough in cold weather (hence the handbook says block part of the oil rad off).

I only have the downloaded handbook, for the life of me I can't find where it even mentions the oil cooler let alone how much or which part to block off. Can you please elaborate 

I'd have to find the handbook to tell you in detail but I'm sure the handbook over here says about blocking part of the oil cooler in cold weather. I think @Andre has mentioned the same? I'm sure it didn't mention what temps, or how much to cover. So wasn't a lot of use.

Might not be in your handbook as you're in warmer temps?

[Kiwifruit]

This sounds like a job for duct tape.

[KiwiCol]

This sounds like a job for duct tape.

Ahhhh, but what colour?      

[Nic]

I guess I'll have to make a cover, er, not duct tape kiwi  I made one for the Z900, I just don't know if I cover the whole cooler that the engine won't overheat. Here in the Wood it gets cold enough for 6 months of the year you don't want no oil cooler.
As for in line thermo etc, I'm not wanting more clutter around the front of the engine, I'm even considering taking the cooler off for winter, need to make up a couple of plates to cover the hose holes though, I think no cooler would be a good look, give me a chance to check the hoses, I'd be able to take off the crap SS headers n polish them up, or at least see if I can get me a busted header bolt or two 
What do you guys think of no cooler for winter? A cover would probably be the best solution. Easy to put on, take off.

[KiwiCol]

I'd say we're a bit cooler here Nic & I've never covered or removed either of mine. I don't have an internal temp gauge though, but the bike runs just fine.  It was designed with a cooler, so reckon it's probably best to leave it there & cover if you feel the need.   

2c from over the ditch. 

[T 24]

Don't mind the lines but the steering damper looks fugly.

The steering damper looks what it looks, and the fairing, both of them have a function.
But can somebody tel me what is the function of that ugly plastic under the engine?
Is it for picking up oil leaks and dirt? Does it make anythig?

[KiwiCol]

Just bling.  It's the belly pan & it's all just 'style / appearance'  Gives a smoother look, maybe?   Both mine had them, only the blue has it now, the black one got destroyed during 'an off' a while ago.

[VladTepes]

I'm even considering taking the cooler off for winter, need to make up a couple of plates to cover the hose holes though,

I wouldn't do no cooler, but if you MUST - don't just block the holes off   ... put a line between the two.

[Nic]

I'm even considering taking the cooler off for winter, need to make up a couple of plates to cover the hose holes though,

I wouldn't do no cooler, but if you MUST - don't just block the holes off   ... put a line between the two.

Yeah, it's all a bit much really, I spose it's best to leave it on and make a cover, I know from other bikes I've had that didn't even have a cooler, in winter the oil is luke warm after 150K rides, I'm big on burning off the condo in the oil if I can, I ride as much as I can all year round, I hate how they just rot away if you don't ride em. I usually change the oil twice a year, one for winter n one for whatever excuse we get here for a summer. Course the 14 takes a lot of oil.

[Nic]

I'd say we're a bit cooler here Nic & I've never covered or removed either of mine. I don't have an internal temp gauge though, but the bike runs just fine.  It was designed with a cooler, so reckon it's probably best to leave it there & cover if you feel the need.   

2c from over the ditch. 

Can't argue with that mate, went on my first decent ride today, bloody marvelous I think my steering is too tight though, fair bit of wandering even at 100kph. Of course to loosen it you need a 30mm ring spanner, OR, take the bars off so you can get a socket on the top yoke nut   You guessed it, I don't have a 30mil spanner.
I have bugger all fuel left in the tank so I'll use this opportunity to take the tank off n do the fuel pump wire mod n anything else under there, I'll loosen off the steering when the tank's off.
Sorry, is this a hijack, hiding under table now.

[T 24]

@Nic
Lift your front wheel up and check the condition of your steering bearing.
When my original bearing was rusty, it had some "tight spots". I had to change it.

[mlivkovich]

This is cover solution I found on same website. IMO thermostat would be more practical solution, no worries after install 

[Nic]

@Nic
Lift your front wheel up and check the condition of your steering bearing.
When my original bearing was rusty, it had some "tight spots". I had to change it.

Thanks T, I have checked and re-greased the bearings, all is good in there, I just reckon I tightened the nut too much, also, when you do the top yoke 30mil nut it adds a bees dicks worth to the adjuster nut so you need to allow for that. I'll get to it once I have the tank off. Much to do