K in HEAVY traffic

[Tiny97]

Every year I make several trips to Laconia for bike week. its about 3 hours each way. This will hopefully be my first trip on my new to me 97 K1100LT. Last year I got stuck in some very heavy almost not moving traffic. shutdown my bike a few times and walked it for a few sections due to heat (92 Yamaha Virago)

I'm just wondering if there are any special steps or provisions you all take in very slow moving traffic? Prior to the fairing ending up a puddle under the bike. I know the manual says not to run the bike on center stand more than 20min what kind of risks am I running doing my annual pilgrimage

[Scott_]

My recommendation would be to install a manual fan switch. Well worth the effort.

[Grim]

Johnny blanket and might want to insulate the fuel lines.

It's not unheard of boiling the fuel in the tank...no really there is videos. Do the "cup mod".

Somewhere in here is a link to a very detailed set of ways to deal with the heat these bikes make. Well worth looking for. I can't seem to find it right now.

[Zipster]

My recommendation would be to install a manual fan switch. Well worth the effort.

Scott, have you any pics of the fitted switch and the splice into the wire please.

[Scott_]

From the Lieberry here....
http://www.motobrick.com/index.php?topic=2337.msg29154#msg29154

You can use most any single pole switch for the purpose.
Personally I used a small narrow rocker switch and cut it to fit into a existing switch filler blank on my dash pad.

[Billie]

 :2thumbup:
      Thank you for the great idea of the manual fan switch. Never even considered doing that. It will get done on my 87 K100 this weekend. Appreciate it. The Florida beaches can be hell sometimes.     Thanx.   Mc Kaylah

[Zipster]

From the Lieberry here....
http://www.motobrick.com/index.php?topic=2337.msg29154#msg29154

Thanks. I'd had a look at that and I understand the idea alright but I was wondering, do I splice into the wire or joint it at the relay box? There were references in that topic about not using scotch bloc connectors so is it a soldered splice or is there another place to connect without using scotch bloc or solder? Thanks in advance. :-)

[Photog]

The favored wire spicing connectors are Posi-Locks;


http://www.webbikeworld.com/sale/posi-locks-for-sale.htm

Whitehorse Gear sells them, as does Napa

[Scott_]

I connected both of my fan switch installs to the wiring inside the relay box.

[Zipster]

That's great. Many thanks. I'll take a look later :-)

[Zipster]

Can I use a scotchlock connector to splice into the blue/yellow wire?

[Scott_]

Can I use a scotchlock connector to splice into the blue/yellow wire?

I wouldn't recommend it. They have been known to cut strands of the running wire, and leaving a loose contact.

I would recommend either stripping the wire and solder the added one to it, or cutting the wire and using the Posi-loc connector as posted above.

[Zipster]

Ok thanks. I was having issues with my soldering iron not heating enough - I guess it's time for a new one!! 

[Zipster]

Took time yesterday to construct and mount a switch. Fed the wires behind the fairing panels and up under the tank. Connected my ground wire to the main ground under the tank and ran the other wire into the relay box to splice into the blue / yellow wire. Just before doing it I decided to test before soldering. No fan came on when I flicked the switch with the ignition on. Continuity tester out and all connections appeared ok. The fan moves pretty freely so I'm guessing the bearings aren't the issue so I reckon the fan motor is toast. I was going to unplug it and give it 12v to test but seeing as how the connector was sitting beside my disconnected fuel lines, I didn't really want to risk any sparks. I'll maybe get another look at it before the weekend and I'll take photos too. I wanted to clarify if the blue / yellow wire at the multiplug under the tank is an option for a splice rather than cutting in under the relay?

[Scott_]

At the fan relay you should have +12 from fuse #7 on the Green/Brown(relay term #15(switch) and #86(coil)).
Blue/Yellow(term #85) from the relay coil to the motronic for grounding in the motronic.
Violet/Yellow(term #87) is the 12v relay output to the fan motor.

If you want to check the fan, use a jumper between #87 and #15.

Personally I'd still go to the relay, then you can be absolutely sure you are on the right wire. I can't say at this point, but I'd venture to bet that there is more than one blue/yellow wire.........

[Zipster]

Thanks Scott. Much appreciated.

[Zipster]

Ok, I went out and took the tank off for another go.
My switch

Grounding point.

The blue/yellow wire on the multi plug I was talking about.

Jumping the positive supply to the positive feed to the fan.

The result - no fan! I reckon my diagnosis of a dead fan motor is spot on!
I'm in negotiations for an alternative which should be here in a couple of days if all goes well!
I guess I'll be replacing it when the rains arrive this weekend!

[Scott_]

That multi-pin plug in your picture looks to be the connector for the right side combo switch. That specific blue/yellow is for the turn-signal cancel function.....not the fan relay, so you shouldn't connect to it. Unless you want a new way to cancel your turn signals.........   :dunno

[Zipster]

Thanks Scott. Currently awaiting a new fan. I'll connect all up when it arrives.

[BeemerDrew]

I ride my K1100 LT to work about once a week and the traffic here in Sydney is horrendous - especially right in the heart of the city.  The bike does run hot and the fan will kick in just above the 3/4 mark on the temp gauge. I find that the LT is just a wee bit to big to filter so it's basically queue up with the rest of the cars.  I really envy all the scooters filtering past me - but am I tempted?  .... Not really
cheers
Andrew

[Zipster]

Still waiting for my new fan but have all connected up today and used a a posi tap to tap into the blue / yellow wire at the relay. I turned on the ignition and tested the voltage at the fan feed plug - it was 0.2 - 0.15 volts when the switch was flicked. Seems a bit low to me. Any ideas or comments?

[Scott_]

When you turn on/off the switch, can you hear/feel the fan relay switching?
Have you taken voltage readings at the socket(with the relay out and key on) to verify you have power there to start with?
It's possible you could have a bad relay.

[Zipster]

Can't hear any switching at the relay at all and the readings were done a couple of times at the fan plug after the interrupt was placed at the yellow / blue wire at the relay socket. I haven't tried with the relay out.

[Zipster]

I knew my hearing was bad but my son said he heard the relay clicking when i hit the switch yesterday so we went again and lo and behold the relay was clicking on and off as I flicked the switch. I had tested the power to the relay box last week when I jumped the terminals to test the fan so I'm pretty happy that the new fan will be my solution.

[Zipster]

And so it's finished. The new fan arrived today while I was at work so this evening I have removed the lower fairings, drained the coolant, removed the radiator and fitted the new fan (after testing that it worked) and rebuilt the bike. Many thanks for the help guys.