Deflectors

[rgc]

Dennis sent me a set of the deflectors to try and so far (1) the quality seems to be second to none and (2) there is no doubt they do what the name says, they deflect a lot of the wind. They work well just as the lift brackets from Dennis work well.

One question for those who have tried them. I live in northwest Florida and I and trying to determine if the deflectors will deflect so much of the wind that the engine will not get enough air flowing past it to provide the necessary cooling. That is not a problem now but in a month or so when the temperature strays above 80 until September, what are the chances of the engine running hotter than it normally does.

Anyone have any thoughts on this?

Glenn

 

[Trent]

I believe, and I think Dennis does also, that the wind being deflected has to go somewhere, and we think it is going down and alongside the motor. Where else can it go? Seems like it has no where else to go but down the sides. The air that WAS hittin' me in the face from over the top of the fuel tank was not helping to cool the motor anyway obviously, so I believe it has to be going down and thru somewhere where it will now be useful, hopefully, for more cooling.
I have not ridden with my lower vents open yet since installing the deflectors 2 months ago as the colder temps have not made that a smart thing to do. Snowing today again. BUT... supposed to get into the 60's startin' tomorrow and this weekend I plan to experiment with the vents and see how it works for air flow across the motor.

 

[iaff84]

Glen,
It is in mid 80s today in Indiana. Just got back from a 180 mile putt.
What I am finding now that it is warm, remove the tree baffle so you can remove the bent lexan portion (this part for cool and cold weather riding) and put just the bracket back on. Leave your lowers closed and play with the adjustable faring vents at speeds lower than 55. Above that, I have all closed and use my highway pegs and knees to give me all the breeze I want when I want it.
I do not have an oil temp gauge but I do have a head temp reading on my Vision tuner. Today at temps in mid 80s, ran no hotter than 270, on highway around 260, average for this bike since I put tuner on it last year.
Both the wife and I feel we have less radiant heat on us from motor moving down the road now. From test ran by Steve running logs with his tuner, having the tree baffle on he gets way lower intake temps than with it off so this bears this out.
All I can say is the air is keeping the motor as cool as can be expected for a Harley and it is not pushing my upper body / head around now with these baffles.
When idling at stops, yes these are just Harleys and they are very warm, we just have to live with that.
On a side note, I am going to leave my rear tires at the 16 / 18 PSI range. It is just so much more comfortable of a ride there.
Dennis

 

[TheBobs]

Glen,
It is in mid 80s today in Indiana. Just got back from a 180 mile putt.
What I am finding now that it is warm, remove the tree baffle so you can remove the bent lexan portion (this part for cool and cold weather riding) and put just the bracket back on. Leave your lowers closed and play with the adjustable faring vents at speeds lower than 55. Above that, I have all closed and use my highway pegs and knees to give me all the breeze I want when I want it.
I do not have an oil temp gauge but I do have a head temp reading on my Vision tuner. Today at temps in mid 80s, ran no hotter than 270, on highway around 260, average for this bike since I put tuner on it last year.
Both the wife and I feel we have less radiant heat on us from motor moving down the road now. From test ran by Steve running logs with his tuner, having the tree baffle on he gets way lower intake temps than with it off so this bears this out.
All I can say is the air is keeping the motor as cool as can be expected for a Harley and it is not pushing my upper body / head around now with these baffles.
When idling at stops, yes these are just Harleys and they are very warm, we just have to live with that.
On a side note, I am going to leave my rear tires at the 16 / 18 PSI range. It is just so much more comfortable of a ride there.
Dennis

Yep, what I've noticed so far is as long as I'm running 60-70 mph, the 3" baffle has no impact on cylinder head temperature and actually improved CHT on a couple runs. If I slow down to 35-50 mph, then the temps were a little warmer with the 3" baffle versus just the bracket or no baffle. It stopped raining and temps are on the rise again. I am going to make a few runs today with the bracket only vs no baffle.

 

[eagle1]

i have a '09 t/g with the lowers removed. i also have a oil temp gage installed in-line frome the oil cooler to the engine. granted the oil cooler is a jaggs large universal one (4 1/2 X5 1/2 ) actual fins. in stalled in the lt. crash bar area. i have ordered dennis's wind deflectors and he will fill the orderes the first part of april (he is on vacation. ) so when i get the & will immediately install them. i will update this site. on the run freeway before & after as to the effect it has on my oil temp gage.