Built the best engine cooling system...again
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 370
Likes: 1
From: Long Island NY
Better Isolator
Yesterday I ordered some custom isolators to replace the OEM, they have a long stud on one side and a short stud on the other side. You should be able to place FCS on first, then the MB series horn, then the nut. The studs are actually a little longer than necessary in case shimming is requried for individual applications, they can be easily trimmed to fit. The rubber composition will be a little firmer than OEM so hopefullly that proves to be a plus with the heavier horns. This should be a simple effective solution but we'll see, no gurantees as of yet, if this does not work, I'm entertaining another possible solution.
Jason, if these isolators meet with your approval do you think that replacing the stock isolator with your custom one would provide any benefit to the overall installation? I'm thinking that a few more threads is good and a stiffer rubber in the isolator would slow down the shaking up & down providing longevity, when you think about it, the stock isolator wasn't designed for the added weight of the FCS and while shaking at idle the weight of the FCS is amplified. Is there any advantage to re-using the thick stock washer if your isolator permits?
Banned
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 648
Likes: 9
From: WV
Jason, if these isolators meet with your approval do you think that replacing the stock isolator with your custom one would provide any benefit to the overall installation? I'm thinking that a few more threads is good and a stiffer rubber in the isolator would slow down the shaking up & down providing longevity, when you think about it, the stock isolator wasn't designed for the added weight of the FCS and while shaking at idle the weight of the FCS is amplified. Is there any advantage to re-using the thick stock washer if your isolator permits?
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 370
Likes: 1
From: Long Island NY
Initial testing suggests this new isolator in not necessarily an improvement over OEM. The FCS weighs in at 1lb 3oz, which is 3/4oz lighter than the OEM horn. The MB air horn I'm working with weighs 4 lbs, some others weigh more, and they all are mounted with the OEM isolator. Personally I don't think the OEM isolator is adequate support for the air horns, they seem pretty flimsy and flopity to me but I don't see a lot of complaints from the air horn users. I do feel the OEM isolator is plenty adequate for the FCS and OEM horn, it's rather firmly supported. I have no intention of releasing this new isolator I have acquired, becuase it is not a significant improvement, but I will continue to seek out one that is an improvement. Even with an improved support isolator, I would not recommend changing it for use with the OEM horn and FCS, it simply isn't necessary and it is a lot of work to remove the original isolator. I'm actually working on another post to a "mount" thread I started yesterday. I am trying to provide a solution for those who want to run the FCS and an air horn, but the OEM mount is fine for the stock horn. Anyone who has a motor that shakes excessively might want to look at the root causes, primarily motor mounts and tune, but a deeper cause could be flywheel balance. I know they all "shake" and its difficult to quantify what is "normal" but I also the know the effect that balanced tune has on vibration, because my mine smoothed out nicely as I got the tune dialed in. I will continue to apply some effort to this air horn mount issue but I'm not going to sacrifice time from my "productive" efforts to do it. Its a very unfortunate thing but not all accessories will work together, some folks may just have to make a choice. I simply can't provide an individual custom installation solution for every concievable combination of aftermarket horns and or accessories, but I am working at it.
Banned
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 648
Likes: 9
From: WV
Mount solution for Mini Beast in conjunction with FCS
I tinkered around last night and today and I have come up with an rubbermount system adequate to control the weight of the MB series horns and the FCS together.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...cations-2.html
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...cations-2.html
Novice
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Iraq for 5 yrs, now Afghanistan
I definately need to catch up on my reading. Glad to see you have a new thermal switch. I tried to order it via paypal but its being weird so I'll try another method.
Anyway, I had the fans installed by my local H-D shop (time crunch) around the end of August and they work very slick. Got slowed down in Portland traffic and then a few long stop lights. Having this new thermal switch will certainly make it much easier but it wasn't a big deal flipping on the switch when I wanted the fans. Very happy with my purchase and several people checked them out and the turbine noise in a trip.
Thanks again Jason, very much appreciated.
Oh and the pix are after a 2,200 mile road trip which is why my girl was filthy in these shots. I should have taken better ones. Oh well, she's clean and put away til next year.
Anyway, I had the fans installed by my local H-D shop (time crunch) around the end of August and they work very slick. Got slowed down in Portland traffic and then a few long stop lights. Having this new thermal switch will certainly make it much easier but it wasn't a big deal flipping on the switch when I wanted the fans. Very happy with my purchase and several people checked them out and the turbine noise in a trip.
Thanks again Jason, very much appreciated.
Oh and the pix are after a 2,200 mile road trip which is why my girl was filthy in these shots. I should have taken better ones. Oh well, she's clean and put away til next year.
Last edited by bluethunder110; Oct 9, 2012 at 10:01 AM.
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: Pittsboro, NC
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Jason, I saw an add where JIMS is selling a "cylinder cooling fan" good looking unit, but from the looks only one fan. Thought it might be kind of neat for you to do a comparisons before the nay sayers start thinking that because they're a bigger company, their product is better. Just a thought. Anyway, my fans are performing flawlessly, and I just can't say enough about the thermal switch. I've referred a few people to you site, I hope they all buy.
Banned
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 648
Likes: 9
From: WV
Jason