rubber circles inbetween cooling fins??

[usmc_scott]

ok so iv searched google and found only one simmlar thread with no replys.

what the hell are the rubber cirlcles wedged inbetween the cooling fins? vibration dampners? thats my best bet

is there any need for them? i want to pull them off theyr in the way for painting

[Guy_b_g]

They dampen the sounds from the engine and valve train.

[usmc_scott]

hmm so can i chuck them? or at least yank them and ride for a bit before deciding wether to chuck them or replace them. does anyone NOT have them? or removed them and seen bad results?


btw..yesterday was my first ride..it was only 500 yards tho from patio to parking space. but it was awsome to finally get to ride it after all the hours to get it to awaken from its 5? year sleep

[perurider]

I know what you mean!! mine had slept for 5 years also. Now its hard for me to sleep...

[Guy_b_g]

I wouldn't remove them, sometimes vibration can create cracks in aluminum cooling fins...just my two cents..

[79XS11F]

Don't chuck them. They dampen sound and prevent fin vibration caused by the air that is forced through the fines at highway speeds. Take a photo of their location and remove them. They are just wedged in place but do pay attention to them so they go back into their original positions. They are of DIFFERENT thicknesses and will not wedge back into place as intended if you mix them up. Try removing all the top ones and bag & label them followed by each set going downward.
Rob

[usmc_scott]

thanks for the input. ill remove them for polish and paint then replace them. anyone know of an easy way to clean up the engine? i get lazy when it comes to polishing ugh i hate it

[mro]

easy way

Don't have your own pressure washer?
Local DIY car wash might do.

mro

dampen sound and prevent fin vibration
vibration can create cracks in aluminum cooling fins

[kirmit77]

the best way to clean the engine is....


VERY CAREFULLY!

[dbeardslee]

I had them on mine and got rid of them. Didn't notice any difference in the sound. I like the way it looks better without them too. I'm sure you could stick them back in with maybe a little dab of permatex for insurance, if you decided you just couldn't live without them .

[randy]

They dampen sound and prevent fin vibration caused by the air that is forced through the fines at highway speeds...
dampen sound and prevent fin vibration
vibration can create cracks in aluminum cooling fins

What planet is this, anyway???

[draketrumpet]

I believe John and WildKat run without any in and they know these engines about as well as any.

Mine are still in, but I have a lot more looks to improve before I decide how those look

[crazy steve]

I asked the dealer about these when I bought mine new and was told they were just for noise reduction, then mumbled something about EPA noise standards or something...

If you have non-stock exhaust and/or pod filters, you'll never be able to tell the difference.

'78E original owner

[petejw]

the rubbers are there to dampen the sound of
vibrating fins, the fins are designed on an air cooled
engine to vibrate to assist in cooling.

upto yourself if you want to have them in or not, no damage
will occure if there not fitted,

[Hideki]

I remember having them on my XS11, and after reading this thread and working on my bike later that day noticed they were gone... I had a wtf moment.