2004 Honda CRF250X

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by FastDoc

Great mod!

I recognize that trail. Is that where Roger rode with one footpeg?

BTW check your PM...

Thank you, Doc. No, Roger broke his foot peg at the base of this trail, before we headed off to the other one.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by pete

thats a nice bike mate... light & nimble

Thank you, Pete. Indeed, I am enjoy this motorcycle a lot.

[Weldangrind]

Spud, that last photo from the rider's perspective could be an ad for Honda. Very nice.

[SpudRider]

Thank you, Weld.

[SpudRider]

The CRF250L has mounting tabs on the right radiator for a cooling fan. Some riders say the "optional" fan is unnecessary. However, I discovered if you are climbing 5,000 feet of steep terrain, in summer, in the Rocky Mountains, you certainly do need the "optional" fan.

The Honda Cooling Fan Set is part #19000-KSC-000, and the lowest price I found for it was $265.78. The highest price was $344.19. I searched the internet and discovered a much less expensive option. I installed a 4" SPAL fan, which I purchased for $51.05, delivered. I also installed a radiator cooling fan switch, which I purchased from AutoZone for $25.99.

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/par...16306_0_0_5051





My 2004 CRF250X has a empty connection for the cooling fan located on the wiring harness. The power is supplied from the lighting coil, which routes through the bike's main fuse, and turns off when the engine is stopped. The radiator has a plug for the cooling fan switch.

I connected the positive wire from the SPAL fan to the lighting coil wire. I connected the negative wire from the SPAL fan to one of the wires leading into the cooling fan switch. I then connected the second wire from the cooling fan switch to ground, and the wiring was complete.



I needed to trim my right radiator guard so the SPAL fan could fit behind it. However, the fan strengthens the radiator, and the radiator guard is still very strong by itself.



I mounted the the SPAL fan to the inside tab by creating an offset with a short piece of 3/4" aluminum bar.



After finishing the job, I took the CRF250X for a test ride. The fan works great! Before installing the fan, my bike would overheat to 265 degrees Fahrenheit, and boil the coolant while climbing steep, loose, rocky, technical terrain. Now the temperature doesn't exceed 210 degrees Fahrenheit.

The AutoZone switch turns on the fan when the coolant temperature reaches 203 degrees Fahrenheit, and turns off the fan when the coolant temperatures drops to 188 degrees Fahrenheit. This cooling fan is one of the best modifications I have made to my Honda CRF250X.

[MICRider]

Nice! That was a very cost effective solution to the overheating problem

I wonder though, why doesn't Honda install the fan from the factory? Is it to save weight?

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by MICRider

Nice! That was a very cost effective solution to the overheating problem

I wonder though, why doesn't Honda install the fan from the factory? Is it to save weight?

Thank you, Stew.

As in many other instances, Honda doesn't install the fan at the factory so it can maximize profits.

[Weldangrind]

I think that Spal makes an excellent product. I'm sure it'll give you many happy miles.

[SpudRider]

I agree, Weld. The SPAL fan is balanced at the factory, and spins at a very high rate. I can tell the fan is running when the inside of my right knee gets very hot from the heat drawn away from the radiator.

My bike seems to run even better, now that the engine operating temperatures are held in a more narrow range. I believe the SPAL fan should also help to extend the time between top end rebuilds of the engine.

This fan really should be standard equipment, but once again, Honda has chosen to maximize profits.