Anyone with Chinese radiator experiences please reply

Benji Molina
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Benji Molina
Edited Date/Time 1/2/2017 7:12pm
So, I have a yz250, and in a recent crash I broke my arm, and crunched my radiators. They really aren't that bad, but I have a couple of options and I'd like some opinions pleasee.

So, I am thinking about buying the winner racing reinforced radiators on ebay, If I go that route, I'd buy radiator braces/guards but I want some opinions from you guys.

1)will flatland racing or unabiker or some other brace option work with the winner racing rads?

2) what would the strength be like with the China radiators and some good braces? I don't want them to be super flimsy, I've heard the mixiest of reviews on the winner racing rads.

3) should I get my rads repaired? Like I said, they aren't that bad, but the repairing process is super pricy.

4) I've seen people with the moose radiator braces, and it seems like they just don't fit under the shrouds, which braces fit the best and protect the rads the best?


2nd question (sorry)

So I race actual motocross and take a lot of rock roost, if I powdercoat my hubs black will they chip badly? I feel like Everyone who says that they will be fine rides some steel frame clapped yz125 around their backyard.

Thanks so much guys
-Ben

Will be posting pics of my yz250 project soon!
|
Benji Molina
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Benji Molina 1/2/2017 2:43pm
1/2/2017 2:43pm
Not trying to offend any 125 steel frame riders out there!
TeamGreen
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TeamGreen 1/2/2017 2:57pm
1/2/2017 2:57pm
Moto-Hose, a forum sponsor...btw, has rads for your bike and should know the answers to all of your questions.

Good Luck!
Starcrossed
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Starcrossed 1/2/2017 3:05pm
1/2/2017 3:05pm
May be worth considering the Works Connection braces, not sure about the ones from Moose.
Benji Molina
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Benji Molina 1/2/2017 3:10pm
1/2/2017 3:10pm
Thanks a lot for the quick responses guys, I looked at the moto hose radiators, it would be like 600 for a set.... I really can't do that, and starcrossed, I looked at the works connection braces, I used to have a set, and I feel like they don't protect the radiator from side impact, I only have fears of crushing the radiators width-wise. Do you have any experience with their durability. Thanks again guys!

The Shop

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Honda129
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Honda129 1/2/2017 3:11pm
1/2/2017 3:11pm
Powder coat? Not power coat right. I think a power coat is something you wear in business fashion.
Starcrossed
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Starcrossed 1/2/2017 3:17pm
1/2/2017 3:17pm Edited Date/Time 1/2/2017 3:21pm
By side impact, I'm assuming you mean "crash." Grinning Every part has it's limitations, but I have had good experiences with WC. If you crash hard, or often enough, any of them will show the effects.

You can edit the title too. There's a box to the right on the title page.

Those Moto Hose radiators look really nice...go for it.lol
lumpy790
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lumpy790 1/2/2017 3:18pm
1/2/2017 3:18pm
Hi I am Steve from Moto Hose.

We have found braces do not fit oversized radiators. We are considering making braces that will fit with our Oversize & Braced radiators.



lumpy790
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lumpy790 1/2/2017 3:23pm
1/2/2017 3:23pm
As for your hubs .....why PC? I painted my YZ hubs with Krylon paint you can buy at Walmart. Krylon paint is flexible kind of like rubber.

lumpy790
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lumpy790 1/2/2017 3:24pm
1/2/2017 3:24pm Edited Date/Time 1/2/2017 3:25pm
Benji Molina wrote:
Thanks a lot for the quick responses guys, I looked at the moto hose radiators, it would be like 600 for a set.... I really can't...
Thanks a lot for the quick responses guys, I looked at the moto hose radiators, it would be like 600 for a set.... I really can't do that, and starcrossed, I looked at the works connection braces, I used to have a set, and I feel like they don't protect the radiator from side impact, I only have fears of crushing the radiators width-wise. Do you have any experience with their durability. Thanks again guys!
You must have looked at someone else's radiators. Ours are $199.95 a side and come braced too.
Benji Molina
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Benji Molina 1/2/2017 3:26pm
1/2/2017 3:26pm
Haha yes, I meant powder coat, I've been typing on my phone and the autocrrected is so annoying!

Uh, Steve from moto hose, as much as I would like to get a pair of radiators that are of such quality, I can afford the Chinese ones, and not really anything more, if the Chinese ones aren't any good at all and don't fit anyour braces, I'm going to have to throw my bashed stock ones that don't leak back on for the sole reason of finances. Thanks again, and thanks for the quick response Steve and starcrossed and teamgreen.
Benji Molina
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Benji Molina 1/2/2017 3:33pm
1/2/2017 3:33pm
Oh yeah, I was looking at the atv radiators which are 300, my bad, but still no way I can do 400 unfortunetly, I just bought some a60s. Steve, did the paint hold up? I can powdercoat myself so I figure it's a better option? Do you have any opinions on winner racing? Thanks for the input
HardTaco
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HardTaco 1/2/2017 3:40pm
1/2/2017 3:40pm
Get yours fixed at icw and run bullet proof designs radiator guards. I've smashed unabiker, wc and every other brace or guard except bullet proof designs. They are like works of art.
lumpy790
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lumpy790 1/2/2017 3:44pm
1/2/2017 3:44pm
Benji Molina wrote:
Oh yeah, I was looking at the atv radiators which are 300, my bad, but still no way I can do 400 unfortunetly, I just bought...
Oh yeah, I was looking at the atv radiators which are 300, my bad, but still no way I can do 400 unfortunetly, I just bought some a60s. Steve, did the paint hold up? I can powdercoat myself so I figure it's a better option? Do you have any opinions on winner racing? Thanks for the input
Yes the ATV radiator is $300

I painted my my hubs and frame years ago and it has held up fine.
nate1001
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nate1001 1/2/2017 4:14pm
1/2/2017 4:14pm
I haven't changed the radiators on my yz, but on my crf450r I do have chinese oversized radiators. They are GPI racing from ebay. They are much sturdier than the stock honda radiators. And I have devol guards and braces on them. I had to grind the side plates of radiators slightly, but they fit other than that and protect very well. I have dropped my bike in rock gardens and haven't bent anything.
Benji Molina
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Benji Molina 1/2/2017 4:23pm
1/2/2017 4:23pm
Everyone thank you very much, I'm gonna buy the winner racing braced rads off ebay and then do some sort of brace, I don't know what type yet, if anyone has a horror story about their durability please let me know before I pull the trigger
Benji Molina
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Benji Molina 1/2/2017 7:12pm
1/2/2017 7:12pm
Hey, everyone whose used Chinese rads please say what you think of them below, thanks!
gsxr6
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gsxr6 1/2/2017 7:20pm
1/2/2017 7:20pm
Bought a set. 2000 kx250. Right side wouldn't fit with the pro circuit pipe. Used the left one. Couple crashes in it leaked. Put the bent to hell stocker back on. Never had another problem with it. I'd recommend having the welds gone over by a aluminum welder.
Ryan598
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Ryan598 1/2/2017 7:25pm
1/2/2017 7:25pm
I have used the Chinese radiators on a 14 crf 450 ( fit perfectly) and a 2003 cr 250 (had to dent the pipe to make clearance). Did not use braces with either but they seem very strong. Like I said though. Fit great on one bike not so great on another.

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mx621
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mx621 1/2/2017 7:28pm
1/2/2017 7:28pm Edited Date/Time 1/2/2017 7:30pm
Gpi's from eBay lasted about 40 hrs on my crf450 before the mounts broke using WC braces the entire time. I had to use nylon 1/4 in spacers to get the WC braces to work with them. They just use super cheap/poor quality Chinese aluminum. I actually think they were broken before 40hrs that's just when I noticed. The braces were holding them together.
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FWYT 1/2/2017 7:35pm
1/2/2017 7:35pm
Benji Molina wrote:
Hey, everyone whose used Chinese rads please say what you think of them below, thanks!
Fugging GARBAGE!!!!!!!!

Got a pair for my KTM 200. Fit was mediocre, finish substandard, and both sides broke. Just tossed
one in the trash, as a matter of fact.

If I had to do it over, I would have just sent my stockers to ICW to get fixed.



tempura
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tempura 1/2/2017 7:35pm
1/2/2017 7:35pm Edited Date/Time 1/2/2017 7:36pm
I have the Chinese rads on a KX250.
Being oversized, I had to dent the pipe slightly to get a safe measure of clearance. Apart from that, they have been no problem at all. Best bang for the buck.
Braces will not fit well on any oversized radiator.
gsxr6
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gsxr6 1/2/2017 7:36pm
1/2/2017 7:36pm Edited Date/Time 1/2/2017 7:38pm
Mine were gpi racing as well. The aluminum they use is too stiff, and it cracks at the seams and weld. I actually have always been surprised how much u can bend the stockers but not get a leak. They are relatively tough. Because they can bend without breaking. The gpi were sturdy, yes. I have bent stock radiators squeezing the shrouds too much with my legs, but watch out when u wreck a China. Instead of bending they break. And leak.
Hallzilla
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Hallzilla 1/2/2017 7:37pm
1/2/2017 7:37pm
Hey




Friends don't let friends buy Chinese.

Take care friend.


jock
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jock 1/2/2017 7:45pm
1/2/2017 7:45pm Edited Date/Time 1/2/2017 8:41pm
I bought a set of GPI rads after folding one of mine back against the frame, I had WC braces fitted too.
I didn't destroy the stock radiator, just bent the mounts and partly pulled the top hose outlet out. Decided to buy the GPI's to use while waiting to get the stoker repaired. Put them on, straightened and fit the WC braces, and they are still on there almost 3 yrs later. They have been rock solid. Still have the stockers as backup though.
Starcrossed
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Starcrossed 1/2/2017 7:54pm
1/2/2017 7:54pm
A little off topic, but since radiators and braces are the topic, I would like to know if anybody has gotten braces for their '17 CR450. I always get WC, but they're not going to be available for a couple more months.

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