Fan kit for 05 FE550E

400EXC · July 18th, 2006, 04:10 PM

My berg has always suffered from overheating in the East Coast tight stuff. I have Dale's jetting kit and lowered the gearing.

Last summer I installed various computer case fans from Frozen CPU. DaleEO suggested a wiring scheme and the fans worked well but did not hold up very long. Fans behind the radiator seemed to have trouble with the heat - fans in front of the radiator didn't like roost and water. I did not have the guards on at testing time but I think the fans out front would have lasted only minimally longer with guards. The 120mm x 120mm x 38 mm @ 125 cfm unit sure did cool things down fast though.

Has anyone installed the 2006 fan kit on a 2005 FE550. I know the tank and shrouds will need to be replaced with 2006 stock but my main concerns are where will the temp sensor be mounted and would running the fan with a switchable / fused line off the battery be a good idea.

I have a temp. gauge so I would probably just manually turn the fan on as needed. How much the fan could be used without having a negative effect on the battery?

I am hesitant to commit the $600 for the new tank and fan. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

LeFrog · July 18th, 2006, 09:40 PM

The CPU fan thing may not be such a bad idea but I would trade performance (CFMs) for solidity.

Evercool makes a nice aluminum fan that is 120mm x 120mm x 25mm.

It's milled from a single aluminum block (supposedly). Only gives 79 CFM but it may last longer, especially if you cover it with fan grill and add the vibration dampner kit. Plus it has nice colors at night

Also found this aluminum 120 x 120 x 38 fan which gives up to 110 CFM.

bigbob · July 19th, 2006, 10:50 AM

c my post about my 06 fan kit running after the bike stops, and running down my battery. Bike never overheated before. I bought the fan kit and installed it only as a precaution, but found it ran after the bike stopped at trails stops when I shut off the motor, which I do normally, and drained my battery. Nice kit, would keep it if I ran summer enduros, but my summer aggressive riding days are now limited with new Girlfriend who has a swimming pool

will sale you the $148.00 kit for best offer.

berger · July 19th, 2006, 04:45 PM

I am running a set of cpu cooling fans mounted to a set of BOSS radiator guards. They mount in front and I have not lost a fan yet. I have to admit that there isnt alot of moisture here though. On the other hand I do not take any special precausions when I wash the bike other than to avoid spraying water directly at the fans.

LeFrog · July 19th, 2006, 07:28 PM

205 CFM 120mm fans, BooooYeah!!!

Surface mount temp switches, BooooYeah!!! x2

the_dude · July 20th, 2006, 05:30 AM

I had the same problem with my 05 FE 550 overheating, and boiling over. I considered fans too, but I did the cheap route first to see if that would work and it did, alot. I took the thermostat out and ran a high temp waterless coolant. She runs nice a cool through the tight enduro tracks.

LeFrog · July 20th, 2006, 09:51 AM

Now, if you want to buy a bit more motorcycle/atv specific, you can visit SPAL USA's Web site, where you can click on "Fans", then on "Motorcycle/ATV". They have a 5.2" (13mm) fan which gives you a lot of CFMs. Price seems right. Available are mounting rods and temperature relays.

The drawback is they are pretty thick.

baja_racer · July 20th, 2006, 12:56 PM

That SPAL fan is a great idea. I've have a KTM factory fan kit mounted on the front of my radiator guard on my KTM. It pushed air through the radiators and comes with the mounting kit and harness. It seems to hold up well mounted to the front of my metal radiator guards.

rtevis · July 21st, 2006, 06:32 PM

Originally Posted by the_dude

I had the same problem with my 05 FE 550 overheating, and boiling over. I considered fans too, but I did the cheap route first to see if that would work and it did, alot. I took the thermostat out and ran a high temp waterless coolant. She runs nice a cool through the tight enduro tracks.

I did the same (except still have the thermostat) but added Two2cool oil additive as well. This stuff really works. Found out about it on my kids ktm 50 w/ auto clutch used in 45 minute HS; reduced oil temps in that bike by almost 30 degrees F. Haven't tested it w/ temp gun but has not overheated since I've been using it.

400EXC · July 31st, 2006, 07:40 PM

Thanks for all the suggestions. I am going to pass on trying to put the '06 fan kit on an '05 550 for now.

I will try the thermostat removal first. I have the Speed Works temp. sensor and took temp. readings every 3 minutes on my tight test track. Started at 180 deg F and stopped at 233 deg F. It took 15 minutes to get up to 233. I have pulled the thermostat and will repeat the same test after I make up a gasket or spacer as it seems that the oring needs the thickness of the thermostat to sea the two housing halves together.

If this fails I think I will try squeezing in one of those 120x120x25 aluminum CPU fans in front of the radiator and behind the Boss guard.

The Spal units look rugged enough but I am not sure their thickness won't be a clearance topic.

Thanks for the help everybody.