[THX1138]

Hello all. I want to find out if anyone has ever tried to find a suitable replacement for the old radiator on a CX500. If you were able to mount one, what bike did you get it from? Was it a pain mounting it? And could you perhaps post a picture of it? I've been checking out images and alternate possibilities on EBAY. Let me know. I'm pretty sure there are a lot of others interested as well.

 

[Sidecar Bob]

It probably won't help you but this is what I did

Rad Relocation CX650 + raising the fairing

Here is what My winter machine (AKA The Famous Eccles) looked like last fall. It is a CX650E with a bunch of CX & GL500 parts and the fairing from my '83 GoldWing. It seems like every year it becomes less like a CX650E and more like a GL650I. One of the few negatives about driving a sidecar...

www.cx500forum.com

 

[Randall-in-Mpls]

You're looking for a radiator for your '78? I might have one. Condition unknown but suspected good, given the source. It might be a couple weeks before I can dig one out and pressure test.

 

[THX1138]

Thanks for the input and the interesting pictures. What I was after though, has anyone tried to successfully install a non CX500 or even GL500 radiator. If they did and it worked, what did they use?
I had a radiator for the 78 CX500 Resurrection, but after I cleaned it using vinegar, I didn't exactly perform any leak testing. Upon installing and filling it with coolant, found it leaks pretty bad. So, I did perform a bubble leak test to find out where the leaks were and then see if I can solder them.

I capped the inlet and outlet and then used 5-10 PSI air to find the leaks. I was able to solder some of the leaks, but one in particular did not work out. The brass kept fragmenting. So, I did have an extra GL500 Radiator that I installed temporarily to make some start and run test.

It was a pain getting the top coolant line mounted, but so far it is not leaking. I did find a used 78 radiator for sale at an acceptable price on EBAY and bought it. I will be cleaning and leak testing it next weekend. But these are all old radiators. If you know of anyone having successfully using a radiator off a different bike, let me know.

 

[Randall-in-Mpls]

I recall an old discussion about having these recored, but I don't know if anything came of it.

 

[CXPHREAK]

I read some time back of aluminium radiators for mini minors being used but I think they needed modification of inlet and outlet positions to work in this application.

 

[bahn88]

Id be interested to see if smaller mx type could be plumbed in series on engine bars...ala some bikes with oil coolers...(e.g some bmws) ..
Edit YES the fan fitment could be a issue but race bikes and street bikes like the rd350lc didnt have one..

 

[THX1138]

I was looking around on BING and discovered this radiator. It is comes complete, but is meant for an ATV up to 300cc. It is also a little too wide, 13 inches verses 10 inches. There is a smaller one but not sure if it would be better for a 500cc engine.

 

[CXPHREAK]

Move the filler neck to the end and mount it vertically?

 

[THX1138]

It definitely would require replumbing the inlet and outlet lines.

 

[CXPHREAK]

 

[aph1979]

EDIT: Never mind, I misread that.