Hi all,
I am new to XT having recently purchased an 02 xt 600 e, I am considering purchasing an extender for the front mudguard to try and protect the engine from some of the rubbish that flies up. My question is does this impact on the cooling significantly if at all. Thoughts on the the matter much appreciated.
As another thought has any one used Acf 50 and is it any good.

Many thanks

I remove my during summer to help get more air to the head. I've also cut down the fender a few centimeters to get even more airflow.

Im not sure how much it blocks, and how much it helps to remove it, but I know I've had no malfunctions of any kind from removing it.

I'd be very surprised indeed if this made much difference to airflow - or enough to effect engine temperature.

The most important thing here is having the right amount of good quality oil. Also the right kind of riding style when the temperature increases (keep the bike moving forward but keep the revs low).

I actually think a front (or rear) mudguard extender is an excellent idea to stop mud being flung up into the engine. It never ceases to amaze me why the manufacturers never fit these extenders as OEM? Perhaps it's the look who knows?

Once the front of the engine has been covered in mud it's very difficult to get the stuff off.

ACF50 = damn expensive! If you are lazy and wish to get long term protection with just one application, this makes more sense.

I use GT85 = Cheap (£2.99 from Aldies). It leaves a thin film which protects nicely. I also use copious amounts of WD40 year round.

__________________
Triumph Bonneville 800 (2004), Yamaha XT600E (1999), Honda XBR500 (1986).

Thank you both for your quick responses, I think I will be getting an extender there is a noticable difference in engine getting hot. It's got to be worth a try just to keep the engine a bit cleaner.
I will definately have a look for the GT 85 stuff and give it a go, one thing I know is that no matter how good my intentions may be I will not spend as much time cleaning the bike as I should, it is and will be a workhorse that is out in all weathers, perhaps not snow unless i'm out when it comes down.

Once again many thanks

Almost forgot - BIG welcome to the forum.

This is a superb resource for all XT6 owners. Make sure you download the service manual and parts manuals too (stickies at top of this sub-forum). Don't be nervous to ask any question there are literally hundreds of very knowledgeble XT nuts here who will be happy to help you out...

Stop lurking and start posting.

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Triumph Bonneville 800 (2004), Yamaha XT600E (1999), Honda XBR500 (1986).

Many thanks I look forward to many years of having my XT and I am sure will spend a fair bit of time on the site.

Cheers Ian

Have downloaded the service manual and parts manuals, a bit of light reading, thanks for the fantastic resource

I have used ACF50 once and it was brilliant. It gave what seemed to be complete corrosion protection to my Bandit which lived outside through a Welsh winter. However, it's not very nice stuff to use, it's very hard to get off (good for metalwork, not good for tyres and brakes), and if you get it on the exhausts it stinks for days. I didn't buy a second can.

For the XT, it gets a jetwash when I can find the time, and a spray all over with WD-40. That seems to be enough. I have found GT85 to be pretty good too, but it doesn't smell as nice as WD-40.

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2006 XT660R daily ride, 1994 XT600E about to be reborn, Blog: http://goingfastgettingnowhere.blogspot.com/

Thanks for your suggestions blackdog zulu I think i will try without the acf first and see how i get on, only had the bike a few weeks and i will have to clean it already to keep on top of it.

I am definately not one for polishing bikes but I want to keep the xt for a very long time so good intentions say keep on top of the basics.

Hi,

Fitted one of these years ago to my xt, never had or heard of any probs regarding cooling issues(yamaha would`nt sell them otherwise). Saves your frame paint and saves on the amount of rubbish thrown onto the engine front. Also protects your headers if you ain`t fitted stainless ones

Andy.

Cheers Andy,

I haven't got stainless yet and will try and preserve the standard for as long as possible, definately going to get the extender, just makes sense to keep as much road dirt of the headers as possible.

Ian

Hi, Ian

I can vouch for the Yamaha font-mudgusuppliedard extender and had one fitted to my XT6E until the warmer weather came back to stay (touch wood). It's quite expensive for what it is, though (at about £25, I think, without any screws or nuts), but it's quite nicely made and actually looks quite smart on the bike. It's still available - I ordered mine sometime around Christmas from a local Yam dealer. The extenders were a standard fitment for the Scandinavian market and they almost certainly will impair engine cooling to some degree (which was part of the reason that I got one for the winter).

It's only held on by 3 screws, so you can easily remove it for the summer (if we ever get enough of one to make that necessary, of course :O) - without exposing any real 'construction mess' - which is exactly what I have recently done. In fact, I've drilled some vent-holes in the bottom few inches of the mudguard that are covered by the mount part of the extender when it's on, just for a little extra air-flow... And I think it IS only a little extra - but I considered it worthwhile even if it only gives 1% better cooling.

BTW, you can gain an idea of the engine's temperature with an oil-dipstick-thermometer fitted (for not much more than the price of the Yam mudguard-extender). I find mine very informative, viewable whilst riding (don't study one for too long and hit a tree, though).

As for ACF-50, I can really vouch for it but I second BlackDogZulu's warning about it. It is so microscopically thin and slick that any beading of it on the bike seems ultimately to make it to the garage floor, below. Start collecting newspapers now - to lay between bike and floor before you apply the stuff.

HTH
Nick.

Regarding keeping rubbish out of the engine,does anyone have any thoughts about fitting a rally type fender ie. fitted to the fork legs.

I think your meaning a "Hugger" like on the 3AJ right? no can do on a 34L (no mounting lugs).



Mezo.

you could have the lugs tig welded by a pro! xP