Parade Fan???
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 173
From: Simi Valley, CA
the chrome harley air intake cover. when you go stage one, the back plate of the cover is not used, the back is open, and acts like a parachute to catch hot air off your engine. this causes a convention effect...as new hot air is sucked in, temp rises exponetially as eng continues to heat up and also furthur heats up ambient air, cycle runs away until you engine over heats or your nuts fry.
As for wiring the fan to rotate backwards and draw the air from right to left, here's my theory. In doing that the amount of air across the engine's fins will be reduced significantly, to the point that the cooling effect will be severley compromised. This is only my theory. I don't have any test data to back it up. But the fan works so effectively in its intended configuration that I don't see the point of altering that. And this is not theory. I have extensive testing and data to substantiate that claim.
To the OP. Yes these types of fans work to prevent the situation you described. And they work very well. As far as which brand. I only have experience with one so I can't say which works the best or is the most reliable, but I highly recommend a fan of some nature.
Last edited by 2black1s; Dec 21, 2011 at 02:29 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,500
Likes: 332
From: Blue Grass (KY)
Ran across this on eBay, this is the web site...know nothing about them, just FYI...
Anyone using this?
http://bigskyfan.tripod.com/id11.html
Anyone using this?
http://bigskyfan.tripod.com/id11.html
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,488
Likes: 30
From: Maryland near DC
As for wiring the fan to rotate backwards and draw the air from right to left, here's my theory. In doing that the amount of air across the engine's fins will be reduced significantly, to the point that the cooling effect will be severley compromised. This is only my theory. I don't have any test data to back it up. But the fan works so effectively in its intended configuration that I don't see the point of altering that. And this is not theory. I have extensive testing and data to substantiate that claim.
Last edited by mrfikser; Dec 21, 2011 at 08:02 AM.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 69
From: Near Myrtle Beach, SC
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 10,216
Likes: 224
From: Glendale AZ
I used the Lenale on my 2011 Road Glide Ultra 103. It has a manual switch on fan housing (rocker switch) so it is easy to reach to turn on and off as needed. This little jewel really looks good on the bike and delivers a serious amount of air between the jugs! Being stuck in bumper to bumper at Pegion Forge/Gatlinburg for over an hour my oil temp gauge never topped 250* even though the ambient temp was 89*. It does however put a serious amount of scorching air off the right side-- so you have to keep that leg out of the air flow!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,916
Likes: 31
From: earth
Your best bet for that project would be a 4" SPAL ATV puller fan, try Absolute Radiators website, part way down the fan page, not real expensive. It will definately take the abuse, I've been running a SPAL for over three years.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 173
From: Simi Valley, CA
The Engine Cooling Fan (parade fan) addresses engine temperatures by controlling the cylinder head temperatures [(CHT) the hottest part of the engine] and in doing so keeps oil temperatures lower. Less heat in the engine to transfer to the oil results in lower oil temps.
On the other hand, a fan on the oil cooler only attempts to control the oil temperature, which has less of an effect on the CHT than vice versa.
Oil temperatures change relatively slowly when compared to CHTs. Therefore controlling CHTs with an Engine Cooling Fan has a more immediate benefit than simply trying to control oil temperatures with an Oil Cooler Fan.
Either methodology works to a point, but my experience has shown the Engine Cooling Fan to be the most effective way to control temperatures in congested traffic conditions where prolonged idling and/or very low vehicle speeds exist.
When I did the bulk of my testing on this subject about a year ago, I wrote a 21 page white paper with my findings. If you or anyone else is interested in seeing it, send me a PM with an email address and I can send you a copy.
Last edited by 2black1s; Dec 21, 2011 at 11:43 AM.