I tried everything
Just my 2 cents:
When I bought my 2001 Sp1 used the fan was already reversed, blowing hot engine air over the rad and out. It had the stock switch which kicked on at 219 degrees. I bought it in October here in Austin, TX. It was about 85 degrees out and she overheated in stop & go traffic after about 5 min. I ran 80% H20, 15% antifreeze and 5% Water wetter (rough estimate). It helped just a bit but not much, not to mention when the fan kicks on it fries your left leg. Recently I bought the SW524 from Autozone and wired it in. It's a switch that kicks the fan on at 195 and cuts off at 180 or so. I also heat wrapped the pipes from the cylinder head all the way to where they exit the cowling. This did reduce the under-cowl temp quite a bit. ..Still not much help. It just means the fan runs longer, the temp creeps up a tad slower and your leg fries longer. So.. I put it back to stock config. still keeping the heat wrap on. So the fan pulls air from the outside in and it kicks on at 219 and cuts off at 195 or so. I would have left the lower temp switch on but these SP1's in TX run at about 185 going 80mph so if you slow down the temp would go up and kick the fan on and you don't want the fan running the opposite of the natural air flow at speed. So now, if I do have to sit in traffic, the fan kicks on at 219, cools it down to 205 and cuts off. Once I get moving the fan may be working against the natural air flow for just a bit but once it gets down below 205 the fan cuts off and you're cooling with airflow again. So, for those with an SP-1, stay with the stock config and get $50 worth of heat wrap for your exhaust and wrap it. Ride in traffic all day. Sweat your ass off but the bike won't overheat. I've been riding in 104-106 degree temps these last 2 weeks with no problem.
COincidentally if someone doesn't believe me, I have the lower temp switch I will sell for $15. I bought it for $30 2 weeks ago. I also have a stock fan for the left side SP1 which I just paid $40 for - $25 if anyone wants it.
AustinRC
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