Got my radiator fixed

[vwboomer]

but not installed yet so I'm taking the guys word for it.
For hitting a pothole, the leak was apparently pretty significant, such that he had to cut the top of the radiator off to get at it.
So if it doesn't leak, it saved me 1600 (maybe 500 used) on a different one. Unfortunately, it looks like this




Should I paint it black? would it hide better? bike is red, I'm afraid a black rad would look goofy. Rad guard? the screen that goes over the front? what about the back? The fan won't cover the goobers.

I appreciate the difficulty in doing a repair like this, but am a little less than happy about how it looks. I guess that's what you get for $42

[Juan]

I don't have a radiator but an oil cooler and I painted it black. I don't think it looks goofy
and I don't think yours would look goofy or bad at all if you paint it black. I think it will hide the fix better however.

[2-Skinny]

A radiator off of a Japanese bike wouldn't work?  I did some searching and Bike Bandit sells most of those for around $500 new.  Sure you would have to modify a few things to make it fit but if the "fix" doesn't actually do that, that would be a cheaper way to get a new rad... just a thought.  Good luck!  I definitely suggest one of those sweet radiator guards, the ones that are stamped not just garden mesh...

[NAKID]

It depends on what you're going for. Yes, it may work and hold pressure. But, sorry dude, it looks like complete ass. Painting it may help cover it up visually, as well as a rad guard.

[vwboomer]

It depends on what you're going for. Yes, it may work and hold pressure. But, sorry dude, it looks like complete ass. Painting it may help cover it up visually, as well as a rad guard.

Yep I know 
I put a few coats of black on it today and it does look a lot better. I'll post up pics tomorrow. Later this year I'll probably paint the oil cooler so it matches.

I used VHT paint - probably overkill but I wasn't sure how regular paint would hold up. Says it's good for radiators anyway. Now I gotta bake it. hm. I guess I could use the gas grill since I"m surely not doing it in the house.

Or maybe I don't have to even bother?

If I wasn't planning on putting on a lot of miles in the next two weeks I probably would have sent it out, but didn't want to chance not having it back in time.

[Pedro-bot]

I would paint black AND add the cover. Here's a pic of my bike with the black radiator. KTM makes these radiators for Ducati. Not sure if they're used on some KTM bikes but it may be worth investigating as they'll probably cost you much less. GL. 

[2-Skinny]

BikeBandit has one for an '08 Super Duke that looks very similar:

 
RADIATOR 990 DUKE  057271067-001    $425.88

[vwboomer]

There is a KTM logo and number stamped on the bottom but I was unable to get any success with that number. The SuperDuke rad on bikebandit looks the same to me.
Bottom line though, if it doesn't leak, I'm not gonna get a new one. Laid off for the next two weeks, and things are starting to look iffy after that.

Got a PN for that Cox guard? I saw stuff for the S4RS but didn't catch a look for an S4R. Unless it's the same.

[DucHead]

There is a KTM logo and number stamped on the bottom but I was unable to get any success with that number. The SuperDuke rad on bikebandit looks the same to me.
Bottom line though, if it doesn't leak, I'm not gonna get a new one. Laid off for the next two weeks, and things are starting to look iffy after that.

Got a PN for that Cox guard? I saw stuff for the S4RS but didn't catch a look for an S4R. Unless it's the same.

It looks like the superduke radiator has tubing on both the left and right, while our radiators have tubing on the left only.  I wish the fiche showed the back side of those radiators! 

I might make a trip to the local KTM dealer (if they have a Duke) and have a look see.

[vwboomer]

If you do check out a SuperDuke let me know. I might be riding down to the dealer tomorrow if I can get this thing baked and installed again. At least I got the truck brakes done this mornin before work.

Post paint pre bake

[Speeddog]

'01 - '02 S4 came with a black radiator.

Your rad looks a lot better in black.
Granted, the repair looks a bit nasty, but in light of the money you saved, it's good IMO.

Interested to hear about the possibility of KTM Superduke fitment.

[DucHead]

I have it on good word that KTM-Kuhler makes Ducati's radiators.

I emailed them, but they're on European Holiday until July 6.

Also, from the parts fiche on BikeBandit, I think the SuperDuke cooler is a no go, but I'll try to get up to Triangle Cycles tomorrow to get a first-hand look.

[vwboomer]

On the bottom of the radiator it's stamped KTM 45360

I tried looking on a couple KTM parts sites but no luck. Not that I spent hours lookin mind you.

[5lv]

Just a comment - I think VHT is an insulating paint, you might have been better served with plain old black engine enamel. It also needs pretty high temps to cure, so it might not be as durable as you want. Also there might be a specific paint for radiators.

[vwboomer]

The can said ok for radiators, but you're right. It didn't get hot enough to cure. Seems to be holding up well enough though - no peeling or chipping.  Looks great with the blue bushings.
If I do the oil cooler I'll def use regular paint.