doc47 Posted September 30 Share Posted September 30 2001 F650GS with a pinhole leak smack-dab in the center-rear of the radiator. Can it be fixed or do I have to spring for a new unit? JB Weld? Soldering? Welding? Brazing? Link to comment
Hosstage Posted September 30 Share Posted September 30 I've seen automobile radiators repaired with brazing, yours may be able to have it done too. Were it a repair out in the boonies with no resources, I would definitely give it a try. But that radiator is 25 years old, and could probably stand to be replaced anyway, unless the price is ridiculous, or it is not available. Then, braze away. Link to comment
dirtrider Posted September 30 Share Posted September 30 16 hours ago, doc47 said: 2001 F650GS with a pinhole leak smack-dab in the center-rear of the radiator. Can it be fixed or do I have to spring for a new unit? JB Weld? Soldering? Welding? Brazing? Evening doc47 They can usually be repaired but keep in mind a new radiator is just shy of $800.00 so my suggestion is to remove it then take it to an experienced radiator shop for repair. Or at least ride your motorcycle to local radiator shop to get their opinion on repairing it, possibly they can repair in place without removing it. It is easy to make things worse on do-it-yourself radiator repairs. I run a stone screen on the front of my 800 GS radiator to prevent sharp stones from damaging the radiator. I also run a front fender extender (rear lower edge of front fender) to make sure that crap thrown up by the front tire can't get a good angle to hit the radiator. At high speed even a smaller sharp stone (or something) can damage the radiator. Link to comment
szurszewski Posted September 30 Share Posted September 30 Hey @doc47 - does this mean your leg works again and you're back home? No advice on the radiator - so this is just a hijack. Good luck! Link to comment
Hosstage Posted October 1 Share Posted October 1 4 hours ago, dirtrider said: a new radiator is just shy of $800.00 Good lord. Link to comment
doc47 Posted October 1 Author Share Posted October 1 There are no radiator shops here. Dirtrider, I live in southern Senegal, West Africa. The radiator , it turns out, is aluminum, so welding or brazing is out. A new radiator from the UK will cost over $500. That's before shipping! I was going to cover the pinhead- sized hole w thin plastic to make sure I don't block the channel, then apply JB Weld. Then, I looked in the drawer and...no JB Weld! And you can't get it here!🙄 Would anyone like to airmail me a couple of units of JB? Link to comment
doc47 Posted October 1 Author Share Posted October 1 The leg works. Not 100%, but I can walk with aids, bicycle, and moto. The muscles atrophied pretty badly, but for an old fart, they are coming back nicely. In fact, I'm pretty amazed...and thankful! The teams at Harborview, and especially my surgeons, Sean Nork and Alicia Keys, took amazingly good care of me. With shattered bones, a serious infection, and 7 surgeries, it was a challenge for me and for them. I am back home in Kafountine with my incredibly wonderful Gambian wife. My charity is sending about 100 kids to school and 4 adults to university. My trees are full of mandarins and life is worth living!😁 MODERATOR EDIT: Two of the more graphic photos have been changed to 'Spoiler' (optional) to view. Spoiler Spoiler Link to comment
DakarTimm Posted October 1 Share Posted October 1 I've fixed pinhole leaks in aluminum radiators by pouring molten lead over the hole . I used a small block of wood on the back side to stop the lead from going too far . I'm thinking a few fishing weights ought to do it .Lead melts easily with a propane torch . Hopefully you have both lead and propane over there . Link to comment
Hosstage Posted October 1 Share Posted October 1 3 hours ago, doc47 said: MODERATOR EDIT: Two of the more graphic photos have been changed to 'Spoiler' (optional) to view Think twice before viewing. Just saying. Link to comment
doc47 Posted October 1 Author Share Posted October 1 1 hour ago, DakarTimm said: I've fixed pinhole leaks in aluminum radiators by pouring molten lead over the hole . I used a small block of wood on the back side to stop the lead from going too far . I'm thinking a few fishing weights ought to do it .Lead melts easily with a propane torch . Hopefully you have both lead and propane over there . I was wondering about dribbling solder on it. Link to comment
szurszewski Posted October 1 Share Posted October 1 3 hours ago, doc47 said: Would anyone like to airmail me a couple of units of JB? I would if you're serious and that's what you want. JB Weld has a radiator repair kit (which I think is just the epoxy and a bit of glass cloth), and then there are also a bunch of versions of aluminum epoxy marketed as being for radiator repair. Happy to send you whatever you like if you tell me what you want where/how best to send it. I maintain an amazon prime account in Germany (in addition to my US one) to send stuff to some Ukrainian friends who have been living there as refugees the last couple of years, but I don't happen to have one for Senegal ;) Link to comment
doc47 Posted October 2 Author Share Posted October 2 That is extremely generous of you! Some alluminum repair stuff sounds like the cat's pyjamas. Thank you!!!! David Levine BP 141 Diouloulou, Ziginchor 27208 Senegal Link to comment
szurszewski Posted October 2 Share Posted October 2 8 hours ago, doc47 said: That is extremely generous of you! Some alluminum repair stuff sounds like the cat's pyjamas. Thank you!!!! David Levine BP 141 Diouloulou, Ziginchor 27208 Senegal Is there a recommended carrier to use? USPS international / DHL / FedEx / UPS or something else? Link to comment
doc47 Posted October 3 Author Share Posted October 3 DHL won't deliver where I am. USPS works best. If you could include some regular JB Weld, I'd appreciate it. I will gladly reimburse you. Link to comment
szurszewski Posted October 3 Share Posted October 3 Got it. I’ll probably get things mailed tomorrow. Let me know if you want anything else. Link to comment
taylor1 Posted October 3 Share Posted October 3 Goes to show that there are some really good people on this site 1 3 Link to comment
szurszewski Posted October 4 Share Posted October 4 Hi temp and regular jb weld on their way to you. The high temp one specifically lists radiators and aluminum as uses, so hopefully it will get you taken care of. Good luck! We should start a pool to bet on when it arrives. Here’s the tracking number so we can follow along - though I don’t know how much good it will do once the package leaves the USPS. UH054141355US Link to comment
doc47 Posted October 5 Author Share Posted October 5 Brother, I don't know how to thank you enough! I'm working on both machines. The GSis the one with the leaky radiator, plus messed up wiring under the fairing. The Dakar won't start and the off-road lights aren't working. It keeps me off the streets! Doc Link to comment
szurszewski Posted October 5 Share Posted October 5 Well, once you get them running maybe just promise to not run into anymore derelict signage. Or, at least try really really hard not to. Link to comment
9Mary7 Posted October 6 Share Posted October 6 I"m younger than you @doc47 and I don't even drive a car at night..... bad stuff happens after dark Link to comment
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