Replacing the radiator - big job or little job?

Hi, gave my K3 SVS a good ole scrubbing a couple of days back and whilst i was underneath getting the grime off i noticed radiator damage i'd missed before. When i bought the thing it had scuffs on the side of the rad and front fairing as if the bike had been dropped over on its side but it looks like the radiator itself has crumpled in the middle by the impact and is now banana shaped. No sign of coolant leakage or any temperature problems so looks like its still doing its job ok but i'd like to replace the rad anyway for aesthetic reasons (you cant even see the damage but you know what its like if you know its there anyway!)

My question is: replacing the radiator - big job or little job? I'm no mechanic at all so is this the sort of thing i could do myself using my Haynes or is it best left to a garage? Anyone done it in the past?

Got a big bike salvage place nearby so reckon sourcing a replacement would be easy enough.

Ta,

Paul

Replacing it is not difficult at all. Drain the system, ondo the hose connections, undo a couple of bolts and remove. Install the reverse procedure.

Mine is twisted quite badly from a spill. It also has never leaked.

They aint cheap either.

[Scoobs]

Originally Posted by BigApe

They aint cheap either.

I was quoted about 300 quid for a new one. Got my old one fixed for 15. Really easy to change out though.

Originally Posted by Scoobs

I was quoted about 300 quid for a new one. Got my old one fixed for 15. Really easy to change out though.

Was that fixed as in leak repaired. Or was that straightened

[Scoobs]

Just a leak repaired. A recore in aluminium was about the price of a new radiator. A recore in brass was 180 quid.

Originally Posted by Scoobs

I was quoted about 300 quid for a new one. Got my old one fixed for 15. Really easy to change out though.

300 squids , ferkin 'ell.

I was imagining more like £20 from the breakers, will have to nip up this afternoon to see how much they are wanting.

Glad its easy to change out though, will have a crack at it then if i can source one.

Ta

Just had a look on http://www.cheshiremotorcyclesalvage.com which is just up the road from work and they got one at £79 which is more than i expected to pay but not ridiculously so.

Make sure it is watertight, or that you get some guarantee - I bought one off eBay for £10, but it had a small leak, so it's now decorating a shelf in my shed.

[Scoobs]

Originally Posted by Mr Toad

Make sure it is watertight, or that you get some guarantee - I bought one off eBay for £10, but it had a small leak, so it's now decorating a shelf in my shed.

You couldn't send it round to decorate my front room when it's finished your shelf could you?