Missing Air Dam Experience

[SpyderWolf]

I honestly don't think the MAD does anything while you are stopped, or even driving slowly. When you are stopped, the Spyder is getting no real air flow through the radiator until it reaches 5 bars and the fan kicks on. At that point it is sucking in the air around the engine, and straight off the heated road surface so the cooling effect is minimal. Once you start moving again, cooler air gets forced through the radiator and the temp bars will eventually drop. Sometimes they drop a lot faster than other times, depending on traffic conditions and such.

As Lamont posted, 5 bars cannot really be considered hot for an engine anyway.

As for the heat on your leg and foot, much of that comes from sitting right behind the engine and exhaust pipes. However, I think it was Tom in NM who posted how to use some pipe insulation to block the gap where the hot air can be blown directly onto your foot. This may be another thing to look into for ryding comfort. Another helpful option may also be exhaust wraps.

As with anything your mileage will vary, but here is what I have noticed so far with the MAD installed at highway speeds. 70-89 degrees mine runs at 3 bars, 90-100 it runs at 4 bars. It has gotten close, but has not gone over 100 yet for a test here.

 

[Tom in NM]

there are lots of factors . . . .

. . . . to consider.

The other day I was riding down this nice road around 50-55mph, temp showing on the dash was in the low 90s. I glance down at the dash and I have 5 bars!?! I don't have the air dam, yet. I speed up and for a minute, it goes to six bars?!!!?, then drops back to five bars.

I turned around and suddenly it drops to three bars. The issue was I was riding with a 35/40 mph wind to my back. The engine was burning fuel and making heat, but there was probably only 10 mph of wind going through the radiator - until I turned around. [ this is not the first time I have noticed we don't have a "duhhhh" Smilie - one would fit here perfectly ]

Living in the high desert (high altitude & temps + low humidity) and riding in the summer, 5 bars can be a fact of life, and as Lamont's gauge shows, 5 bars looks to be just fine.

Tom

 

[SpyderWolf]

. . . . to consider.

The other day I was riding down this nice road around 50-55mph, temp showing on the dash was in the low 90s. I glance down at the dash and I have 5 bars!?! I don't have the air dam, yet. I speed up and for a minute, it goes to six bars?!!!?, then drops back to five bars.

I turned around and suddenly it drops to three bars. The issue was I was riding with a 35/40 mph wind to my back. The engine was burning fuel and making heat, but there was probably only 10 mph of wind going through the radiator - until I turned around. [ this is not the first time I have noticed we don't have a "duhhhh" Smilie - one would fit here perfectly ]

Living in the high desert (high altitude & temps + low humidity) and riding in the summer, 5 bars can be a fact of life, and as Lamont's gauge shows, 5 bars looks to be just fine.

Tom

Very good points there as well.

I have often felt the need for a Duh smiley!

 

[ataDude]

...I have often felt the need for a Duh smiley!

Here you go:

 

[Tom in NM]

Here you go:

Nice of you to share your baby picture. :roflblack:

Tom

 

[ataDude]

Nice of you to share your baby picture. :roflblack:

Tom

Nah... here's mine, Tom

.

 

[SpyderWolf]

:roflblack: Thanks ataDude! :roflblack:

 

[Some Guy]

I'm a "first adopter"...Harvey installed mine at Spyderfest in Cuba, MO. I hadn't had many hot temp days until recently, but we have had many lately. I can tell you, my :spyder2: runs at 3 bars when moving...even at the hottest temps. I believe the :spyder2:'s thermostat likes that temp, since that's what it runs in Michigan winters as well. It is a great, inexpensive mod and it provides many people (including me) with some piece of mind (even if it's not really an issue).

P.S. Watch out for that ataDude!!! He's DANGEROUS!!! hehehe

 

[SPYDERPOPS]

Thanks for all of the honest assessments and your experiences with the "Missing Air Dam".

As I have advertised, the variations of the results will be many due to circumstances.

I have noticed several remedies for overheating in the past which include removing the lower cover underneath and behind the radiator. Also Tom in NM posted that he added pipe insulation to the back side of the radiator to stop air from going out and around the backside of the scoop/redirector for the exit air. Also there is the plastic binder cover addition that extends the scoop/redirector.

WARNING: Do not use any of the above remedies in conjunction with the “Missing Air Dam” as they may actually raise your water temp. at speed.

That said, I have performed many test including placing a remote temperature probe on my toe and the digital readout on my tank bag. With Toms remedy and the “Missing Air Dam” the temp. on my foot was 10-15 degrees cooler however the water temp went up 2 bars.

At speed your foot may be cooler when running with the “Missing Air Dam” depending on where you place your foot on the peg, how big your foot is and what type of foot wear you are using.

I do my testing with tennis shoes on so I can actually feel what’s happening along with being able to read the temp.

All testing has been conducted by both removing the “Missing Air Dam” and then test again by putting a new one on to get results during certain conditions to make sure I am comparing Apples to Apples.

By using the temp probe I have discovered that the most heat is coming off of that “y” pipe that actually is lower than the fairing. Air comes straight through the hole that the brake pedal arm comes through, at a rate of over 130 degrees on a 90 degree day and running 3 bars. Yes, I have a new Honda “Y” gasket in there but just think how bad it would be with a blown gasket?

Yes, the temp will go up to 5 bars when in slow traffic or stopped until the fan comes on and then it can get worse depending on ambient temp and duration of stops at idle. Your car is equipped with two fans and when the AC is on you will hear both of them kick on. Be assured that your cars temp goes up as much as the Spyder. Now open your hood on your favorite late model vehicle and see if there are gaps around the radiator?

I just want everyone to know that I didn’t just dream this up one day as a theory, I have been testing several different designs for over a year. During this time I have ridden my Spyder from AR to CA and then from AR to GA. I even showed Tom from NM my idea when meeting him in NM, still working on the foot rest Tom.

Happy Spyder riding,
Harvey Clark

SPYDERPOPS

 

[Buelldog]

It Works!!

Prior to installing the Air dam my unit ran in the 3 to 5 bar range (Highway,Town,Stop,Go).......now with the air dam in place.......2 to 4 bar range!!It is definetly doing what it is supposed to!If I am at a long stop yes it will hit 5 bars and the fan will kick in.Prior to installing Harvey's air dam I noticed different bar readings on different days that had the same ambient air temp....so there are atmospheric variables that cause different bar readings on days that have the same ambient air temp.Anyway add me to the folks that have seen positive results with this little mod!!:thumbup:

 

[SpyderWolf]

Great explanation of your testing process Harvey!

Thanks again for developing this for us as well. :2thumbs:

 

[bone crusher]

Okay, so I'm at Rolling Thunder today.

It was about 85 degrees in DC and I was in a little traffic going and coming (was riding in a large group with police escort...cool!)

Anyway, I could feel INTENSE heat on my right leg...the bike also seemed to be running at 4-5 bars, even when I was on the highway and traveling at 65 mph for a period of time.

The way I understand it is that the dam concentrates the air so that the fan is more efficient. Should I assume that the hot air on my leg is letting me know that the engine is staying cooler? Are we sure this is the right way to go? Why were there not less bars if I'm going to sacrifice my leg?

I don't recall looking at my temp gauge very closely last year, but I know the most bars I'd ever see were 5. Well, today, be in in traffic (and I know the dam doesn't do anything while still) and on the open highway, that I was still running 5 bars with HOT HOT HOT air on my right leg...good thing I had my riding pants on...

Comments?

 

[jabba11]

Okay, so I'm at Rolling Thunder today.

It was about 85 degrees in DC and I was in a little traffic going and coming (was riding in a large group with police escort...cool!)

Anyway, I could feel INTENSE heat on my right leg...the bike also seemed to be running at 4-5 bars, even when I was on the highway and traveling at 65 mph for a period of time.

The way I understand it is that the dam concentrates the air so that the fan is more efficient. Should I assume that the hot air on my leg is letting me know that the engine is staying cooler? Are we sure this is the right way to go? Why were there not less bars if I'm going to sacrifice my leg?

I don't recall looking at my temp gauge very closely last year, but I know the most bars I'd ever see were 5. Well, today, be in in traffic (and I know the dam doesn't do anything while still) and on the open highway, that I was still running 5 bars with HOT HOT HOT air on my right leg...good thing I had my riding pants on...

Comments?

y gasket?

 

[Recluze]

Interesting. I thought I was imagining things after I installed the air dam and the motor seemed to run a little warmer than it had been.

Now my bike has always run at 2-3 bars at highway and 4-5 at stop on a hot California day. I have never experienced the hot foot thing some people complain about.

With the air dam it "seems' to be running hotter and it has been COLD in California. Some empirical data is needed on this subject and I am not going to do it.

My conclusion, such as it is, is that if your cooling system is working correctly you don't need the air dam. If your cooling system is not working correctly you should probably look into why or install the air dam for some relief.

I expect that as temperatures increase here I will be required to remove the air dam to get the bike back to what I consider to be normal.

 

[superfly3]

Just installed mine over the weekend and took a trip north and now the bike is running cooler 3 bars and when I stop 4 or 5 bars and the other thing is no more hot foot!:2thumbs:

 

[boborgera]

Interesting.

My conclusion, such as it is, is that if your cooling system is working correctly you don't need the air dam. If your cooling system is not working correctly you should probably look into why or install the air dam for some relief.

:agree:

 

[SPYDERPOPS]

If your leg is getting real hot, make sure the "Y" gasket is not blown. To check the "Y" gasket put your hand inside the open slot next to your right knee with the engine running, stopped with parking brake engaged and being careful not to touch the exhaust pipe.

If you feel hot air circulating, you have a blown "Y" gasket!

A common mistake is thinking your Spyder doesn't have enough miles on it to have a blown gasket. Also, it could be blown again even if a dealership replaced it last month. The stock gasket can blow out in a heart beat, I know from experience along with many others on this forum. The Honda gasket is the only way to get any mileage out of the "Y" connection on the right side.

The nice part about using the Honda gasket is that most Honda shops have them in stock. Part# 18392-MAM-000

Another consideration is having that hot exhaust blowing on the engine case will most certainly cause your Spyder to run hotter no matter how much air is going through the radiator.

If you really want to test the "Missing Air Dam" take a ride without installing it on a hot day and take note of the ambient temp. and the water temp. Install the "Missing Air Dam" and take another ride on the same route, same ambient temp. and see how the water temp. reacts.

All of my testing has been conducted in this manner, apples to apples!

 

[Yazz]

If your leg is getting real hot, make sure the "Y" gasket is not blown. To check the "Y" gasket put your hand inside the open slot next to your right knee with the engine running, stopped with parking brake engaged and being careful not to touch the exhaust pipe.

If you feel hot air circulating, you have a blown "Y" gasket!

A common mistake is thinking your Spyder doesn't have enough miles on it to have a blown gasket. Also, it could be blown again even if a dealership replaced it last month. The stock gasket can blow out in a heart beat, I know from experience along with many others on this forum. The Honda gasket is the only way to get any mileage out of the "Y" connection on the right side.

The nice part about using the Honda gasket is that most Honda shops have them in stock. Part# 18392-MAM-000

Another consideration is having that hot exhaust blowing on the engine case will most certainly cause your Spyder to run hotter no matter how much air is going through the radiator.

If you really want to test the "Missing Air Dam" take a ride without installing it on a hot day and take note of the ambient temp. and the water temp. Install the "Missing Air Dam" and take another ride on the same route, same ambient temp. and see how the water temp. reacts.

All of my testing has been conducted in this manner, apples to apples!

Repops, thanks for the explanation about the "Y" gasket blowing. Had the MAD put in at Spyderfest. Ran at three bars all the way home and up to today. Great idea, simple procedure.

Went for a ryde today and Spydee was running at five bars. Temps were around 85-90. Right foot got REAL hot as the miles went by. (Never happened before.) After the last gas stop, she was stuttering. Reached down and felt the panel by my right calf. It was very hot to the touch! Thought about wrapping the pipe. Think maybe its a blown "Y" gasket?

 

[boborgera]

Reached down and felt the panel by my right calf. It was very hot to the touch! Thought about wrapping the pipe. Think maybe its a blown "Y" gasket?

Usually the indication of a bad Y gasket is noise fumes and excessive heat. And not necessarily in that order
For some reason right side gives out first.
Mine started to get loud at about 8 thousand, at 11 thousand the right side was totally fried.

 

[SPYDERPOPS]

I had a friend come over with his Spyder one day and it was obvious that it was louder as he had stock exhaust and I could hear it. The problem with him not noticing is that it progressively got louder little by little and he didn't have anything to compare so it just grew on him.

He had noticed the heat on his foot but it was just coming into spring and he thought he had forgotten from last summer.

That "Y" gasket will play with your mind, FOR SURE!