Radiator on XS1100

[Shadow]

From everything I've read & seen so far the XS1100 is an air cooled motorcycle & doesn't have a radiator. My question is this has anyone ever heard of it being added to one? The main reason I ask is that the one I just bought & have to bring back to life has one on it. It's serial number matches a XS1100 so I believe it's a modification that was done to it. Any comments

[Snow]

It is probably an oil cooler and not a true radiator per se. Oil cooler simply helps to cool the motor better by cooling the oil better.

I could be wrong, but that's my guess

[Geezer]

I know the European models had factory oil coolers but I don't know about Canadian models. We didn’t get factory installed oil coolers in the US XS11s.


Geezer

[Jeff]

Does oil cooling really make a difference? I live in a high mountain desert climate and summers here are hot and dry. I haven't run into any overheating issues yet.... but then again.... my longest ride so far has only been about 100 miles.

[strom]

City riding could overheat it, but if there are no problems (yet), don't bother. If you get one for free, OK, but if not, don't worry.

LP

[Shadow]

It's definitly an oil cooler but what's it doing on a Canadian motorcycle baffles me. We barely go over 30 degrees C up here, you'd think there would be more requirment for in the states.

[Geezer]

We got oil coolers on the 850s here in the US but not the 1100s.

The good news is that the oil coolers from the XS850 will fit the XS11.

Geezer

[Huron52]

I have a oil cooler on my 1978 XS 11. I also have a oil temp gauge. Does it cool the motor enough? Does it make a difference? When it is hot out the motor runs hot ..... when it is cold out the motor runs cold.... I can just tell at any given time how hot it is. As whether it makes a difference on or off.... Couldn't tell ya... My other XS 11 E when it was not a parts never had a cooler and never had a oil temp gauge and it ran just great. But of course I am no where near the " BIG NICKEL"

[Geezer]

It's really debatable whether you need one or not. Most of the times you’d need one is under hard service like on a full dress touring bike, pulling a sidecar or trailer and for sustained high speed riding (100 + MPH.)

I don’t know if I need one but I got a good deal on one so I bought it. I haven't installed it yet but I guess I’ll have to get an oil temp gauge too so I'll know what's going on.

Geezer

[skids]

That is not entirely true, Geezer. The 81H "Venturer" (not "Venture") came stock with the oil cooler. I think it was a fad to make it look "high tech."

Originally posted by Geezer
We got oil coolers on the 850s here in the US but not the 1100s.

The good news is that the oil coolers from the XS850 will fit the XS11.

Geezer

[Geezer]

You've got me there. I know of that bike but I've never seen one.

Geezer

[Bill__Woods]

i got a Lockhart oil cooler but am waiting till next year befrore installing it.
My wintertime project is to paint the frame, polish the wheels & engine, and install the new Jardine 4-2 I got last month for $325.00! I must wait to see if the oil cooler will work with my new pipes. The bike has ran fine the last few years without it, even when my riding buddies Harley overheated in traffic.

[Geezer]

My 80 Special has a Jardine 4 into 2 cross-over system and there is no interfearance with the oil filter like on most 4 into 1 systems.

I don't see any reason why you wouln't be able to use an oil cooler with these pipes.

Geezer

Originally posted by Bill__Woods
i got a Lockhart oil cooler but am waiting till next year befrore installing it.
My wintertime project is to paint the frame, polish the wheels & engine, and install the new Jardine 4-2 I got last month for $325.00! I must wait to see if the oil cooler will work with my new pipes. The bike has ran fine the last few years without it, even when my riding buddies Harley overheated in traffic.