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Has anyone replaced the R/L oil coolers with a single unit?

wineguyd

wineguyd

WineGuyD
My spring project is to lighten my '96 R1100R and mod it to slightly cafe racer specs. I'll be replacing the exhaust system with a GPR unit and stripping off the pillion and passenger foot pegs but the big question is whether it's feasible to remove and replace the two big oil cooler banks with a single unit mounted in front of the engine. I know the paralever gets in the way, perhaps it can be mounted lower. If anyone has done it specifically on an R1100R please post pics and if possible, part names and sources.
 
The 1100S was oil (and air) cooled, no water radiator. It would "probably?" fit if you're willing to research the mounting & hardware... but no I've never tried it.
1100S Oil Coler.png
 
I'm have the same plan for an 850R

I'm working on a "Scrambled Bob" (bench racing and morning reads had a couple good pictures a while back that got me thinking) built on an R 850R and have been hunting around for an oil cooler option. I'm looking at a few things including a small automotive transmission cooler but the R 1100 GS cooler has been the best way to go so far, mounting and brackets are simple things to figure out on these things. You just have to remember to maintain good air flow, don't kink the oil lines and make darn sure you check clearance from turning and full compression of the suspension.

Good thing about my donor bike is no ABS, its simple, runs great, it didn't cost a lot and it was already a mess when I got it.
 
bikerfish1100 said:
oil tank?
Click to expand...

Me too? Oil tank?

Radiators don't care what runs through them, oil/water, they are called such because, well, they radiate heat. Remember the old cast iron radiators in apartments that had boilers? I'd like to see one of those on a bike.
 
Faired bikes all have oil coolers under the headlight (in front of the fork) where they get direct airflow. Stylistically that doesn't work well on the R1100R so that's probably why the side coolers are there; that's what is needed to still get the direct flow. If you are going to go to a single cooler, and want direct airflow, it will probably have to be in front and I don't think you will have really gained much. The Airheads had a single cooler behind the fork, but it was far less important on those bikes. If that had given enough cooling for the Oilhead motor, I think BMW would have done it.

So, my impression is that no, if you want proper engine cooling you can't do what you propose unless you add a fan.

EDIT: Oh, and you need to find room for the oil tank also. That'll be a whole 'nother problem! :)
 
Last edited:
:blush

Tanks like radiators don't care what is in them. Obviously my cranial tank was running on empty resulting in filling the tank in my previous post with oil instead of gas.

:wave
 
If you need to go real "custom", and maybe even simplify mounting, alternatives might include an automotive automatic transmission cooler, or a power steering cooler; another possibility is the coolers from JAG Enterprises (often seen on custom Harleys).
Maybe a cast iron unit would help trip the stoplights... :D
 
AntonLargiader said:
Faired bikes all have oil coolers under the headlight (in front of the fork) where they get direct airflow. Stylistically that doesn't work well on the R1100R so that's probably why the side coolers are there; that's what is needed to still get the direct flow. If you are going to go to a single cooler, and want direct airflow, it will probably have to be in front and I don't think you will have really gained much. The Airheads had a single cooler behind the fork, but it was far less important on those bikes. If that had given enough cooling for the Oilhead motor, I think BMW would have done it.

So, my impression is that no, if you want proper engine cooling you can't do what you propose unless you add a fan.

EDIT: Oh, and you need to find room for the oil tank also. That'll be a whole 'nother problem! :)
Click to expand...

I was thinking to mount an RT or GS radiator in front of and at the bottom of the engine...should get plenty of direct airflow, perhaps not best in city traffic but I live in the burbs.
 
Bottom/front? You'll need to add some fender to keep flying stones & other assorted debris off the cooler.
I cringe every time I see any bike with its oil filter down there... SO vulnerable...
And why mount something intended to dissipate heat right by the exhaust headers?
 
Pauls1150 said:
Bottom/front? You'll need to add some fender to keep flying stones & other assorted debris off the cooler.
I cringe every time I see any bike with its oil filter down there... SO vulnerable...
And why mount something intended to dissipate heat right by the exhaust headers?
Click to expand...

Good point all, I was thinking about something vertical in front of the engine and in-between the headers...sort of how liquid radiators are typically mounted. Good point on the road debris...I'll have to think that one out. Thanks
 
Did Anyone Successfully Relocate their Oil Cooler?

I know this is an old thread, I'm interested in trying the same oil cooler move.
I have the larger tank, i need to relocate the coolers, GS cooler and lines are inexpensive.
Did anyone actually complete this move or have additional information on trying it.
 
00_Green said:
I know this is an old thread, I'm interested in trying the same oil cooler move.
I have the larger tank, i need to relocate the coolers, GS cooler and lines are inexpensive.
Did anyone actually complete this move or have additional information on trying it.
Click to expand...

I can't see why it wouldn't work. The GS, RT, RS all share the same size cooler.
Provided you channel the air flow properly.
 
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