Hey folks, I'm looking for a little help from you engineer types out there. I'm looking to put a screen in between my Harley oil cooler and the Cooler cover. I pulled up information from the McMaster car website but I'm not sure I'm interpreting the numbers correctly.

So I am looking at buying screening that will keep the gravel from the road I must ride daily, from damaging the cooler fins, but that also will not restrict air flow too much.

The listing is for either 304 0r 316 stainless. I believe the one I want is 316?

Then comes these choices: .042 opening size per square with a 25% open area
.051 with a 38% open area
.055 with a 44% open area
.06 with a 52% open area
What do I need for moldability but also just stiff enough for protection with little restriction? Thanks for any help here? Rick

 

I've been running my Jag cooler for some time and even gone through dirt and accidentally run over tire tread with no damage to my huge cooler, are you sustaining damage or wanting to prevent any issues in the future?

 

Prevention. You obviously have never had the pleasure of traveling over 6 miles of Vermont Gravel Road..lol

 

I read a thread just this week...

About installing a screen. Try a search, or wait till the guys show up. I'm sure they will!

 

This may turn into a trial and error. 316 stainless is slightly stronger and more corrosion resistant but likely not needed for this application. I'd say base opening size on the smallest rock you think could damage the cooler. I'd think wire size is just as important as opening size as the wire size has to withstand the impacts. I'd be surprised if anything that can get through a 0.06 opening could damage an oil cooler. Seems even larger opening with larger wires would be even better up until you can not mold it to the shape you need.

If you are getting these kind of impacts the inner fenders and underside of the bike must be beat to bare metal.

 

Here is the link on the same discussion >> https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...er-screen.html

I would suggest installing a fender mudflap to help protect your oil cooler

 

Do you think the 0.06 would impede the air flow very much? Oh and the last thread about this was started by me as well. Based on that thread I'm at this point of ordering but I'm not sure what to order?

 

The 52% free area means just that. Out of 100% withouta screen, if you install even the largest is says 52% fee area which means airflow cut by 48% or almost 1/2. Here in Texas that could be a killer in the summer months.

I would greatly suggest a mud flap or extended fender on the front.

 

Try stainless steel wire mesh or wire cloth, the type used in construction work to separate sand from gravel. A pitch of 3/16 seems well adapted. This stainless mesh is used in soil sieves you'll find in garden centers.

 

That free area 52% makes sense. As much as I'd like to operate without protection to keep full air flow, VT roads will take its toll mud flap or not. I've witnessed it not only on vehicle after vehicle but on others who have coolers on their bikes and live on gravel. I guess my thought is that operating with an oil cooler, as opposed to without, in a maximum of 80F which is the highest we see here in the summer, will provide benefit. Also I would think that the extended mud flap would block as much if not more air than a screen. I could very well be wrong which is why I'm asking for different opinions and suggestions. Thanks for your input! I appreciate it.