Vaquero Heat Shields anybody???

[ZZVaquero]

Hi all, I am new to the forum, but just bought a left over 2011 Vaquero in black a few days ago:tup:. So far I love the bike, but the heat is a bit much for my taste.

Which brings me to my point... Heat shields near the upper thigh just like the Harley guys get. I couldn't find anything available, so I was thinking of fabricating something to help out a little. I understand retuning, and wrapping the headphones makes a huge difference, but I want something for the thigh area.

My question for you all is...
If I develop something which is a simple bolt on, no modification to the bike needed, and helped protect the upper thigh area, what would you think it is worth? Powder coated matte black to match the frame, or I could send them out in raw finish.

I was also thinking of a deflector for the fan air to help with that issue. Could be a package deal, who knows... Post is long enough already! What do you all think?

[cactusjack]

Hi all, I am new to the forum, but just bought a left over 2011 Vaquero in black a few days ago:tup:. So far I love the bike, but the heat is a bit much for my taste.

Which brings me to my point... Heat shields near the upper thigh just like the Harley guys get. I couldn't find anything available, so I was thinking of fabricating something to help out a little. I understand retuning, and wrapping the headphones makes a huge difference, but I want something for the thigh area.

My question for you all is...
If I develop something which is a simple bolt on, no modification to the bike needed, and helped protect the upper thigh area, what would you think it is worth? Powder coated matte black to match the frame, or I could send them out in raw finish.

I was also thinking of a deflector for the fan air to help with that issue. Could be a package deal, who knows... Post is long enough already! What do you all think?

I don't think you'd want to make them out of metal. They would get hot and the shields would burn your legs. Harley-Davidson heat shields are molded plastic.

[ray2]

Look at the 2012 year. The 2012 Voyager has new heat shield not sure about the Vaquero.

[ZZVaquero]

The 2012 Vaquero does not have the new system. The voyager upgrade is ugly, and I don't want that on my bike.

My plan for this system is to make the initial system out of metal so that I can make a template to produce them from Fiberglass. Most likely. I have seen chrome ones for Harley's that are metal, but I agree it might be hot. I will have to think it through a little more.

What else can you guys think of? I am going to do this if my exhaust/tuner upgrade with wrapped exhaust doesn't cool it down significantly.... Mostly in the man region. I am also planning on putting Dynamat or similar audio/heat barrier on the bottom of the seat, and the side panels. Lots of radiant heat there. That stuff works well and should make a world of difference.

[Monkeyman]

You could try a parade fan.

[DarkStar]

I'll be removing my Vaquero's exhaust system, hopefully next week, the V&H slash cuts and PCV arrive Tuesday, still waiting to hear when the Thunder intake arrives but when it does I'll be wrapping the header in black 2" x 50' exhaust wrap, I'll post up pictures of the wrap when all the parts arrive and I can do the job...

In my mind the only real options are what I used to do when I rode HD, wrap the exhaust and get the bike properly setup to remove the lean condition. In the case of the Vaquero I'll also be flushing the cooling system and using Engine Ice. I've already noticed a heat decrease on the Vaquero since I switched over to Rotella T6, the temperature gauge shows a small but definite reduction... everything helps!

[ZZVaquero]

I am hoping to have the wrap, and PCV completed this weekend. I am sure it will reduce the heat significantly. I also believe that using some heat barrier under the seat and in the side covers will make a drastic difference.

[Monkeyman]

Instead of the wrap, you could have the head pipes ceramic coated.

[Robert Fox]

i keep reading all this talk about heat heat heat on the vaqueros. my 2011 has approx. 7800mi. on the clock. i have never had any issues with heat. very rarely does my temp gauge get to the halfway mark. when it does get up to the 3/4 mark on the gauge......guess what? i am not riding i am sitting for periods of time in traffic. sitting in traffic is not riding!!!! it is an internal combustion engine.......show me one that does not generate heat when left running.
now i do understand that when the fan kicks on it does blow some heat on the rider. my question is does anybody test ride? i found this out in the dealership parking lot when i let the bike idle till the fan kicked on. for me the heat is not an issue because if the fan is blowing heat on you your not riding the bike.

[ringadingh]

What does wrapping your headphones have to do with engine heat?:???:

[Monkeyman]

I would assume he's talking about keeping the heat away from him.

[ZZVaquero]

I won't have the tuner for a few more days... I efuse to pay $75 to have it arrive on the weekend!

But, I did finish the exhaust and wrap install. I am going to clean up the pipes and reinstall the bags it he morning. I am looking forward to testing them out. I am also hopeful to have some heat barrier installed in the coming days. I want to do this project step by step so I can see what really makes the biggest difference in heat felt by the rider.

[ZZVaquero]

Just a quick update:
I finished the pipes and wrap, then fired it up this morning. It runs significantly cooler, almost one full tick on the heat gauge. It also feel incredibly cool while standing next to it, even after idling for 15 minutes in the driveway. A lot of the discomfort was coming from the rear cylinder exhaust pipe. The wrap is the titanium from DEI. It took two packages of 2 inch 15ft long. $35 at my local advance auto. I only wrapped it up to the collector on the V&H Pro-pipe...

Great sound too!

I plan on using some heat barrier on the seat bottom and side panels next, I will then update again prior to the PCV install.

[DarkStar]

Good to hear the exhaust wrap is working so well, I suspected it would which is why I'm also ready to wrap mine...

:tup:

[recumbentbob]

What does wrapping your headphones have to do with engine heat?:???:
I was wondering the same thing.
Also what does wrapping headphones accomplish??

[ZZVaquero]

Headpipes! It was the darn auto correct!

The heat shielding is now installed inside the side panels as well. There is a ton of heat that transfers back past the battery, and towards the rear tire. But, there are small deflectors which push it out to the side and into the side cover. That is why there is a lot of radiant heat there. Hopefully the heat barrier will help.

I will update again once I install the PCV and get it on the road tomorrow. Should be one hell of a nice ride!

[Grump]

Just a quick update:
I finished the pipes and wrap, then fired it up this morning. It runs significantly cooler, almost one full tick on the heat gauge. It also feel incredibly cool while standing next to it, even after idling for 15 minutes in the driveway. A lot of the discomfort was coming from the rear cylinder exhaust pipe. The wrap is the titanium from DEI. It took two packages of 2 inch 15ft long. $35 at my local advance auto. I only wrapped it up to the collector on the V&H Pro-pipe...

Great sound too!

I plan on using some heat barrier on the seat bottom and side panels next, I will then update again prior to the PCV install.

Wow! The wrap really worked!? I'm gonna do it then. So, did you start at the head end and work back? did the stock heat shields go back on ok? any other tips or tricks you can relay to us?

[DarkStar]

The exhaust wrap made a significant difference in the heat radiating off the header when I did it. Between the PCV and the map I worked up, the full Thunder intake, exhaust wrap and V&H slash cuts my temperature gauge runs just over the 1/4 mark now...

Remove the exhaust system and header to wrap it, you can't do a good job wrapping the header otherwise. Soak the wrap in water and wrap it as tight as you can. I used stainless steel ties to finish the job and the stock heat shields will fit back over the wrap without any issues. I used 50' of 2" wrap with a 1" overlap to do my wrap job, I got it here: http://www.amazon.com/DEI-010108-Black-Exhaust-Wrap/dp/B000BRNF68

The header nuts are 13 ft-lb when you torque them back down... This is right before I installed the heat shields:

http://i658.photobucket.com/albums/uu301/DarkStarShooter/003-2.jpg

Now it looks like this: http://www.vulcanbagger.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29289

[Hugh Thompson]

Hi all, I am new to the forum, but just bought a left over 2011 Vaquero in black a few days ago:tup:. So far I love the bike, but the heat is a bit much for my taste.

Which brings me to my point... Heat shields near the upper thigh just like the Harley guys get. I couldn't find anything available, so I was thinking of fabricating something to help out a little. I understand retuning, and wrapping the headphones makes a huge difference, but I want something for the thigh area.

My question for you all is...
If I develop something which is a simple bolt on, no modification to the bike needed, and helped protect the upper thigh area, what would you think it is worth? Powder coated matte black to match the frame, or I could send them out in raw finish.

I was also thinking of a deflector for the fan air to help with that issue. Could be a package deal, who knows... Post is long enough already! What do you all think?
Google... Ceramic coating. You can have the inside and or out side of the pipes coated. If its done correctly you can put your hands on the pipes engine running and it will not burn you.

[Old Bear]

Pipe wrapping is an easy job, even for a novice. My son-in-law and I wrapped mine last weekend, along with the silicone coating, and what a difference! I wasn't complaining before about the heat, but I am game for things that make the ride better. This is better!

[redjay]

Only twice have I noticed the heat coming off the engine. Both times it was while waiting at traffic lights in 32c degree weather. Not an issue for me.

[landman]

Only twice have I noticed the heat coming off the engine. Both times it was while waiting at traffic lights in 32c degree weather. Not an issue for me.

me either,my heat gauge stays between 3/8 and 5/8 mark.