but,that funnels the air into the cooler...H-D put a lot of r & d into that ;/

 

i have forced air flow on mine so the chrome cover is fine. 3 two dollar radio shack 12v fans wired to the acc plug under seat. fans are secured using small think black tie wraps.

 

OK, I want pics of that - got any?

 

rock protection?

 

Not really. The fins are what you would in theory want to protect, but they have to be exposed anyway. Other parts are pretty hard steel, not concerned.