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ZG Heat Shields update. The eagle has landed!

2fast

Crotch Rocket
Finally! The heat shield project I have been working on for the past couple of months is finally ready to go. Right now I only have them for the 94-06 models. The earlier (86-93) design is ready, but the mold I made for them has some issues and needs to be rebuilt. They will be available, but not for a few weeks yet....sorry. Anyway, if you have followed the progress on this in other posts, you may have some idea of what I have been doing. If not, here's a recap. After building a set of ABS heat shields for myself and posting it here, there was a large amount of interest shown, and I got quite a few emails expressing interest. Seemed like maybe a lot of folks could use em if I could find a way to make them in quantity. I sent some prototypes down to a couple of testers in Florida (it still is barely spring here in MN!). They gave me a lot of feedback, some design changes were made, I built and modified many many prototypes, and here we are. The guys that have used them report a significant reduction in the amount of heat affecting the riders inner thigh area. Riding with one side on and the other side off really makes this apparent. Aside from the heat reduction, one of the testers thought there was a slight decrease in engine noise as well. In addition to the heat shields, I also have a replacement for the inner fairing trim to install next to the gas tank which closes off this area and helps direct air flow down and through the lower openings. It is a soft hollow bulb type gasket that slips right onto the edge of the inner fairing. The hollow bulb touches the tank, but doesn't put any pressure on it. I don't know if this will hurt the paint in this area or not, but most connies I have seen already have dings along that line anyway. I figure it is about the same as running a tank bra or tank bag, just keep things relatively clean. http://community.webshots.com/album/562655840AQZjvN Long story short....I now have some for sale. I am leaving for the National rally in Colorado tomorrow and will be bringing along what I have ready. Rally attendees will have first crack at em, and one set will be given away as a door prize. If you are going to the rally, look for me if you are interested in em. My Concours is the last photo in the link above and you can pick it out with the windshield and the symbol on the fairing side. Or call me while out there at six one two eight six zero four five seven eight. After I get back, I will be able to make some more and ship them, but not until then. Oh yeah, the cost factor
 
Nice work! I am sure you'll be hearing from a couple of members from the SW for these! AKA "2linby" That's 2-lin-by folks! Northwest Area Director COG #5539 AMA #927779 IBA #15034 Team Oregon MC Instructor
 
Thanks Bob, Yup, I hope to sell a few to make back the money and time I have put into this deal. Seemed easy up front, not so easy as it went on.....normal I guess.
 
Nice job. Count me in. How do I order? What do they fasten to and how? Can they be easily removed for cold weather riding? Thanks again for undertaking this effort. Greg COG # 7010/7010a (Tracey) CDA 0120 Connie Droppers Anonymous Awards Dude (CDAAD) 99 Connie "Herrin Christabelle". 05 Ninja 250
 
Hi Greg,  I'm leaving for national in a couple of hours, so not much time to spare here. I will not be able to do any shipping until after I get back. The fasten using the two lower screws that hold the inner fairing in place. They can be removed for cold weather with the same 4 screws, but you may not want to. There may be some benefit to the wind they block, and may also help with keeping the carb temps more constant.  If you want to order em, you can email me at bpsnow at hot mail dot com. The prices include shipping. Also, need your bike year and your name and address for shipping.  Remember, I will not be able to do any shipping until after the national. If I am run out of em, it will take a few days after that to get more made.    Hope that helps with your questions!  Thanks 
 
Order placed via Paypal. Enjoy the National. Greg COG # 7010/7010a (Tracey) CDA 0120 Connie Droppers Anonymous Awards Dude (CDAAD) 99 Connie "Herrin Christabelle". 05 Ninja 250
 
Got these installed today and tested them in 85F. I agree with what others are saying:
  1. Heat around the chest, mid body, and down to the knees is measurably reduced.
  2. Heat is redirected down to the boots/shins which is usually protected by gear.
  3. The shields and gasket combo help reduce noise somewhat. I caught myself shifting higher than normal a couple of times.
I do have a recommendation for the petcock access cap. Instead of a plug (hard to get to if you need to switch to reserve), how about a thin round solid rubber gasket with pie shape slots cut? That would keep it closed and then you could push your fingers through to get to the petcock. Just a suggestion - I've seen these in cars or entertainment centers I believe but not sure where you find them. Bottom line - I think this mod is a good improvement in heat management. :) Oh - install was easy - 10 mins. Greg COG # 7010/7010a (Tracey) CDA 0120 Connie Droppers Anonymous Awards Dude (CDAAD) 99 Connie "Herrin Christabelle". 05 Ninja 250
 
Greg, Thanks for the feedback! I like the idea for the petcock, and had searched for something easier like you describe. I never found anything, but if someone out there knows of something I should look at, please let me know. I also played with a number of mechanical extension ideas, but they all seemed too awkward to install. I have sucessfully pulled the cap on mine and moved the petcock to reserve while riding, twice. Of course, it would be safer to pull over and do this. Getting it back to just plain on is a bit more difficult, but doable. I could not think of a better solution, but would sure be open to suggestions!
 
Another simpler idea for the cap removal problem. The problem with removing the cap while in motion (to switch to reserve) is that you might drop it. How about a string/cord that is pushed through the cap and knotted on the other side of the cap to keep it on. Then the other end is attached to one of the closest fairing screws. While riding you could pop off the cap and it would dangle until you fill up for gas. This could be made more robust by using something better than string (treated material/elastic material), and a metal eyelet thing on the fairing end to push the fairing screw through. Greg COG # 7010/7010a (Tracey) CDA 0120 Connie Droppers Anonymous Awards Dude (CDAAD) 99 Connie "Herrin Christabelle". 05 Ninja 250
 
Greg, I think that idea would work fine. In fact I discussed just such a thing with Steve J in Florida just the other nite. I thought it would look a little tacky, but it should work fine. I have removed mine three times now while riding and have not dropped it yet (knock on wood). I just stuffed it in my pocket. A tether made out of black plastic, or maybe thin elastic shock cord might look pretty decent.
 
Or if you don't want it seen, a line that goes out from behind the cap and ends in a 'tee'. The 'tee' is longer than the hole's diameter so it doesn't come out. Kinda like the screw on caps for gas cans, tanks on some mowers, etc. Of those annoying push through price labels on clothes, but bigger. Or how about must a 'door' that swings out of the way. Kinda like on a salt shaker. Could be inside to with a knob or dimple keeping it from rotating totally out of the way. Or just have the plugs in stock for when folks drop 'em :p Saw these on Bob's bike yesterday at the SC RTE. Look like well done pieces. Something I'll be thinking about when the farkle budget recharges.
 
mdr, all great ideas! I just don't know where to buy such parts. I suppose I could have them made, but for the numers we are talking about, that gets prohibitive. But, if you or anyone runs into something off the shelf I could incorporate, that would be swell. Thanks for the ideas!
 
Just a quick update. I have a few of these left that I could send out right now, then I will need to order a new batch of em molded. So if anyone is wanting a set quick, let me know. So far they have gone to all parts of the US, some to Canada, and one to Italy! I can be PM'd thru this site, or emailed direct at bpsnow at hot mail dot com.
 
Nuther update.... For those of you that have been waiting for me to get some more made.....the good news is that I now have a new batch ready to go. The bad news is I will be going on vacation for a week this Saturday. I can ship until Friday morning, and then it will be Aug. 4th until I can ship em again. So if anyone is anxious to get em, paypal me soon! They are $85 shipped, send me a PM or email to bpsnow at hot mail dot com. Oh, just remembered, I also now have a few of the pre 94 sets available as well.
 
I was searching the forum for an engine noise reduction idea for my 99 ZG and came across your post. Last summer was my first long ride on the bike and the engine noise gets really annoying, particularly at high speeds. What I was looking for was sound damping, but heat reduction would be a nice addition. If the shields do reduce noise I
 
Hi Leon, I have had some folks tell me they think engine noise is reduced with the heat shields. I am not sure, but I generally ride with ear plugs. They do help with rider heat. I have never ridden with them in 110 degree heat. It will make your engine temp go up in stop and go slow riding, but no one has told me of an overheat problem. Maybe some one else with high temp riding experience could add to this. Right now I am out of them, but will be making more towards spring.
 
Well I road the shields last year in fairly high temps of 98 or so. It may make the engine a bit quieter but not much. If your engine is the loudest thing when your on the hwy I wonder if you have another problem though. To me wind, tire and pipes are the main things I hear. I also wear ear plugs. You would be shocked how much better you feel using them. Also shocked that if you listen to music then you can hear it better also with plugs in. The shields do help the engine warm up faster when stopped at a light but as soon as the fan comes on I have not had it get so hot that the temps keep going up. So when going the heat in the engine is not more, stopped its not more but the fan will come on sooner. I have some concern about exposing the petcock and fuel system components if not stock to the additional heat both underway and after you stop but I have no proof that it is causing issues. ---------------------------------- South Central Area Director Email scad@cog-online.org
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<p align="left"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/20211686@N05/">My Photos<br
 
I've used them here in Fl on my bigbore engine, and have not had heating problems. and yes, they will quiet the bike's noises quite well. Steve Shleper of the 7th gear unit and performance exhaust cam sprockets. My bike - "SHOODABEN" - 1109cc's of what an 04 concours "shoodaben"!
 
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