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Water routing

Posted: Sat Nov 01, 2014 9:21 pm
by britaxcooper
Here's one for you guys, the track bike I have has had the water "routing" changed.

I'd describe the standard radiator/hose set up as in parallel. (water goes to both top and bottom together)

On my bike someone has rather crudely, using copper plumbing fittings! changed the pipe layout to make them in series.

On the offside top rad, from the thermostat in standard, but the lower connection has been capped off. On the near side of the top rad the connection is taken to the upper offside of the lower radiator.

On the nearside of the lower rad the top connection is capped off with the lower connection going to the water pump.

Is this a "known" mod or has someone attempted to improve things himself. I don't know if I should leave it or buy some new hoses and route everything as Honda intended.

it runs ok!

Re: Water routing

Posted: Sat Nov 01, 2014 10:34 pm
by dogmatic69
The thing I would worry about is that copper plumbing is not flexible like rubber, it also is probably (not sure what size) not as thick allowing less flow. If it is, this means the pump would be working harder to pump the water (greater pressure) possibly leading to premature failure.

What ever the case, Honda spent millions developing the bike. I am pretty sure if copper piping was more efficient in the format you describe they would have gone with it.

A full set of brand new samco pipes is less than £100.

Re: Water routing

Posted: Sat Nov 01, 2014 11:14 pm
by britaxcooper
I should have said that the copper pipe is just for the elbows, they are joined by rubber pipe... but its certainly not the neatest.

I agree if Honda thought this was the best way they would have done it, I am more curious about if this is a know thing or if its just one man improving over Mr Honda?

Re: Water routing

Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2014 3:48 pm
by Neosophist
doesnt the HRC kit run the water a different way through the bottom rad? check the HRC kit manual,

if not the HRC kit then i've seen the flow changed before.

back to back comparissions would yield usable reulsts but if your not having problems with it then I dont really see the need to change it straight away.