I have been stranded before from road debris puncturing a radiator, so this is a live and learn thing with me.


That big, new oil cooler hangs down mighty low, right behind the front wheel, a vulnerable position. If you puncture that thing, you are gonna be stuck. Yes, JB Weld and brake cleaner will work in an emergency, but here is an ounce of prevention.


Pull off the cover from the bottom, it snaps at the top. There are four spacer tabs on either side of the inside of the cover. Drill a small hole in the lowest part of each spacer tab. Cut a piece of screen, about 5" x8". A suggestion is to buy an inexpensive grill screen and cut the screen out of that, gutter guard, whatever. I used expanded aluminum painted with black truck bed liner. Wire that to the inside of the cover through the holes you drilled. Snap it back on the bike. Now you are much more protected.


All of my bikes that have any type of radiator have this. Plus, painted black, they are almost invisible. Just passing it on.
Guard on bike. Painted with bed liner.



Guard off bike.



Attachment to tabs with stainless wire.

 

Thanks for the tip, you know as i look at the engineering on new harleys i just hafta think their engineers are just plain *** dumb.
I could go on a bit but we will stick with your topic the oil cooler sit right down where not only is it subject to road debris and puntures it also collects mud damn fast if you ride on a wet road.
And there is No air flow, none.
joe
PS Besides that on my ultra I traded, the covers kept blowing off, service manager and I got into to a heated discussion when he said i rode rough roads and thats why I was loosing covers, I said I don't think parts oughta be falling off my bike just because I run a few miles on gravel roads.

 

I had an 07 CVO Ultra that had an oil cooler mounted there. 9 years and 65000 miles and not a single oil cooler problem from debris. Not saying it can't happen but if it does it's a fluke thing.

 

 

Thanks.

 

I'd probably just add a mud flap to the front fender.

 

big difference between the SG, RG and Freewheeler vs Touring models with fender skirts when it comes to keeping debris away from the coolers..have 1 of each and after 11000 miles combined it's been an obvious difference

 

HD oil cooler cover, I think it looks great and actually adds real protection.

 

I got to post a pic of mine after I run one of these tx Hill country back roads, yeah I know stay off the back roads right [smile] I hope Harley moves it up on the 2018 model I would be inclined to trade up [smile]
best/joe
PS That front wheel is positioned perfectly to throw road debris/mud right in the fins.

 

Please provide the data that shows what percentage of bikes have an oil cooler failue due to its location.