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thermo-bob ride report
Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2008 2:35 pm
by fasteddiecopeman
Now that I've ridden my KLR w/ 'Thermo-Bob' it's time for a report.
In the instructions, Bill emphasizes that you MUST cut back the included piece of 3/8 hose
(which becomes the by-pass hose) or it will 'kink' causing problems in flow, as in - NONE!
I measured and cut mine. Looked pretty good so I installed everything, tightened it all up,
re-filled w/ antifreeze and went for a ride.
It warmed up to mid-way on the dial much quicker than before, then went up to full-hot,
the thermostat opened then back to about 2/3. It repeated this about 4 or 5 times, then
when it reduced, it went to 1/2 way and stayed there for a long ride. When I stopped and
shut down, on the re-start it would do the same cycling hot-2/3s-hot-then 1/2 and OK.
I e-mailed Bill who reiterated that the line would "kink" if too long causing these
symptoms. I got down and took a REALLY LONG look at my install and found - a KINK!
This time after I got to the point where I could see the by-pass clearly I removed about
another inch (in TWO steps...), then re-attached everything. NO KINK now...! Went for a
ride and it warms up quickly to just BELOW 1/2 way and tends to stay there.
All-in-all, glad I did the mod (I live in the 'Great White North' where it SOMETIMES gets a
bit chilly...), and I can only re-inforce Bill's installment instructions. THE BY-PASS HOSE
SUPPLIED WILL HAVE TO BE TRIMMED SO IT WON'T KINK!!! CHECK IT SEVERAL TIMES
BEFORE YOU BUTTON IT UP.
Cheers all,
Ed
thermo-bob ride report
Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2008 2:35 pm
by fasteddiecopeman
Now that I've ridden my KLR w/ 'Thermo-Bob' it's time for a report.
In the instructions, Bill emphasizes that you MUST cut back the included piece of 3/8 hose
(which becomes the by-pass hose) or it will 'kink' causing problems in flow, as in - NONE!
I measured and cut mine. Looked pretty good so I installed everything, tightened it all up,
re-filled w/ antifreeze and went for a ride.
It warmed up to mid-way on the dial much quicker than before, then went up to full-hot,
the thermostat opened then back to about 2/3. It repeated this about 4 or 5 times, then
when it reduced, it went to 1/2 way and stayed there for a long ride. When I stopped and
shut down, on the re-start it would do the same cycling hot-2/3s-hot-then 1/2 and OK.
I e-mailed Bill who reiterated that the line would "kink" if too long causing these
symptoms. I got down and took a REALLY LONG look at my install and found - a KINK!
This time after I got to the point where I could see the by-pass clearly I removed about
another inch (in TWO steps...), then re-attached everything. NO KINK now...! Went for a
ride and it warms up quickly to just BELOW 1/2 way and tends to stay there.
All-in-all, glad I did the mod (I live in the 'Great White North' where it SOMETIMES gets a
bit chilly...), and I can only re-inforce Bill's installment instructions. THE BY-PASS HOSE
SUPPLIED WILL HAVE TO BE TRIMMED SO IT WON'T KINK!!! CHECK IT SEVERAL TIMES
BEFORE YOU BUTTON IT UP.
Cheers all,
Ed
thermo-bob ride report
Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2008 3:14 pm
by Luc Legrain
Good.. So you described what it does... What about
YOUR INPUT, do you feel it is a MUST ? What about in
summer time? I don't mean to write like a smart ass
but engine temps, winter or summer , are what makes
the "Internal Combustion Engine " work properly,I
think the ThermoBob is a great idea but I want to know
how it works for y'all, before I plunge.
I'd like to have Mr. Saline input on this one .
Thanks
--- fasteddiecopeman
wrote:
> Now that I've ridden my KLR w/ 'Thermo-Bob' it's
> time for a report.
>
> In the instructions, Bill emphasizes that you MUST
> cut back the included piece of 3/8 hose
> (which becomes the by-pass hose) or it will 'kink'
> causing problems in flow, as in - NONE!
> I measured and cut mine. Looked pretty good so I
> installed everything, tightened it all up,
> re-filled w/ antifreeze and went for a ride.
>
> It warmed up to mid-way on the dial much quicker
> than before, then went up to full-hot,
> the thermostat opened then back to about 2/3. It
> repeated this about 4 or 5 times, then
> when it reduced, it went to 1/2 way and stayed there
> for a long ride. When I stopped and
> shut down, on the re-start it would do the same
> cycling hot-2/3s-hot-then 1/2 and OK.
>
> I e-mailed Bill who reiterated that the line would
> "kink" if too long causing these
> symptoms. I got down and took a REALLY LONG look at
> my install and found - a KINK!
> This time after I got to the point where I could see
> the by-pass clearly I removed about
> another inch (in TWO steps...), then re-attached
> everything. NO KINK now...! Went for a
> ride and it warms up quickly to just BELOW 1/2 way
> and tends to stay there.
>
> All-in-all, glad I did the mod (I live in the 'Great
> White North' where it SOMETIMES gets a
> bit chilly...), and I can only re-inforce Bill's
> installment instructions. THE BY-PASS HOSE
> SUPPLIED WILL HAVE TO BE TRIMMED SO IT WON'T KINK!!!
> CHECK IT SEVERAL TIMES
> BEFORE YOU BUTTON IT UP.
>
> Cheers all,
> Ed
>
>
____________________________________________________________________________________
Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your home page.
http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs
thermo-bob ride report
Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2008 5:18 pm
by Jeff Saline
On Sun, 13 Jan 2008 13:14:42 -0800 (PST) Luc Legrain
writes:
> Good.. So you described what it does... What about
> YOUR INPUT, do you feel it is a MUST ? What about in
> summer time? I don't mean to write like a smart ass
> but engine temps, winter or summer , are what makes
> the "Internal Combustion Engine " work properly,I
> think the ThermoBob is a great idea but I want to know
> how it works for y'all, before I plunge.
> I'd like to have Mr. Saline input on this one .
> Thanks
<><><><><><>
<><><><><><>
Luc,
I made mine just over two years ago. My design is mounted to the head
instead of in the hoses. Either way works well. I got lots of help from
Bill on the design I used.
I think it's good for the engine to get to operating temperature and
remain there. In cooler to cold weather the stock system won't allow the
engine to get to what I consider a suitable operating temp. So I think
the Thermo-Bob is a good idea and if properly installed won't hurt
anything.
I've looked at pictures of the Thermo-Bob design and seen the
instructions and think Bill has done all his homework on this device.
If you only run in temps warmer than 80 degrees I don't know that your
engine would really benefit very much. But it also wouldn't be hurt
either. I doubt anyone will try to tell you the KLR won't work if you
don't put a Thermo-Bob on it. But at the same time I can't see how
anyone can show any reason the addition of a properly installed
Thermo-Bob would hurt a KLR in good operating condition.
For warm weather operation I'm getting ready to finally install a second
radiator in my KLR. The stock cooling system is too small to transfer
enough heat resulting in high temps in warm weather. I've had the parts
for over 18 months but the priority hasn't moved this project to the work
stage. I'm hoping to accomplish the 2nd radiator install within two
months. When it happens Bill will be the first person to see the
pictures and hear my ideas. After he and I have consulted a bit I'll
share with the list.
So folks don't think I'm trying to keep secrets... I'm planning on
installing a KLR250 right radiator and fan where the coolant container
currently is located on the KLR650. I have a KLR250 coolant container
that I think will fit where the sidestand safety switch is normally
located. I'll continue with the 195 degree stat. If someone else does
this install before I do I'd like to hear how it goes. I'm always
looking for new ideas on how to make my KLR a bit better.
If I didn't already have a 195 degree stat on my KLR I would have bought
one of the first Thermo-Bobs available from Bill.
Best,
Jeff Saline
ABC # 4412 South Dakota Airmarshal
Airheads Beemer Club
www.airheads.org
The Beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota
75 R90/6, 03 KLR650, 79 R100RT
rock n' roll az sighting
Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2008 7:33 pm
by Dennis Griffin
Today, during the Rock N' Roll marathon in the Phoenix area, I saw a late model Aztec Red
KLR on the course, with a photog on the back. Anyone on the list care to fess up to being the
rider? I'm just curious, and would like to discuss this activity with you. I'm a ham radio
operator and was supporting the event in that capacity, but I sometimes support events while
on my various motorcycles, one of which is an '06 Aztec KLR650.
Thanks,
Dennis
Scottsdale, AZ
thermo-bob ride report
Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2008 9:31 am
by Jake Wilson
--- In
DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Jeff Saline wrote:
>
> For warm weather operation I'm getting ready to finally install a
second
> radiator in my KLR. The stock cooling system is too small to transfer
> enough heat resulting in high temps in warm weather.
~~~Strictly bringing this up for the sake of discussion, in lieu of the
fact that the KLR has been coming from the factory since 1984 with only
one radiator, empirically-the KLR has done fine on all five continents
for over 20 years with one radiator.
I live/ride in a fairly hot climate most of the year (north central
Fla.) If I suffer a heat related failure with my new to me 08' KLR,
I'll be sure to post that failure here on this board and those of you
that would like, can tell me "I told you so"=:-)
Best,
Jake
Reddick Fla.