A pal of mine is on the road and has a problem

[Billbo]

I think it's a 2007 Cyclone. He just called and said the fan quit working. He's in New Orleans now and will be mostly walking for his two days of debauchery there. I don't think it will hurt to ride it, after all, Sportsters and earlier Buells did'nt have fans. Any thoughts from you Buell experts? Thanks

[chornbe]

I think it's a 2007 Cyclone. He just called and said the fan quit working. He's in New Orleans now and will be mostly walking for his two days of debauchery there. I don't think it will hurt to ride it, after all, Sportsters and earlier Buells did'nt have fans. Any thoughts from you Buell experts? Thanks

The fan is there to help draw air to the rear cylinder.

There's a LOT more physical restriction on those bikes than on Sportsters. The way the machine is designed there's restricted flow at low speeds. I'd say he'll be fine for in-motion use, but should avoid standing still with the engine running.

Someone more familiar with the bikes may be able to provide more detail.

[squeezer]

I think it's a 2007 Cyclone. He just called and said the fan quit working. He's in New Orleans now and will be mostly walking for his two days of debauchery there. I don't think it will hurt to ride it, after all, Sportsters and earlier Buells did'nt have fans. Any thoughts from you Buell experts? Thanks

Not a Buell expert, but the systems are basically the same on any bike.

Check through this thread on Fourstring's fan problem for bunches of diagnostic advice:
http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,55032.0.html

[bomber]

Cyclones were part of the Tube Framed series, and only had accessory fans installed, if any fan at all was present.

Later, XB series Buells (including all 07s) all had fans installed as part of the standard load out -- riding without it would not cuase your buddy's head to immediately explode, but long term, and in hot weather, it could hurt the engine, no doubt about it.

Check the fuse, fourstring's thread, all the standard stuff.

[Billbo]

Thanks, all , for the replies. The kind folks at Bad Weather Bike said that if it gets too hot it will start burning oil, then pinging, then the ECU will start to intermitantly cut the ignition. I'm going to get his itenerary tonight and call ahead to Harley shops to see if they have the part. Bet that will be fun. I agree with you, Bomber, I don't think his head will explode (the bike's head, maybe HIS head will explode after a night on Bourbon St.) I'll tell him to stop and check his oil frequently.

[whodom]

If he's got a couple of days, contact Al Lighton at American Sport Bike (www.americansportbike.com).  He's almost certainly got a fan in stock and can probably overnight one to your bud.  Another idea is to check ebay; there are usually plenty of good used ones there.

If you can't find a replacement fan before he has to leave, it's a good idea to remove the existing dead fan so that it doesn't restrict the airflow.   The bike has a big left side scoop and a small right side one that can funnel plenty of air around the back cylinder as long as the bike is moving.  As long as your friend can stay out of bumper-to-bumper traffic, he should be OK for the trip home.  Like they told you on Badweb, if the engine overheats it will go into "skip spark" mode which keeps it from melting but limits power.

[Mastros2]

The fans went out quite quickly.  I had approx 12k on my Ulysses when the fan quit.  May have been a vender bearing issue.  Like others have said, start simple with the fuses and then work to the fan.  

The bike has a big left side scoop and a small right side one that can funnel plenty of air around the back cylinder as long as the bike is moving.  As long as your friend can stay out of bumper-to-bumper traffic, he should be OK for the trip home.  Like they told you on Badweb, if the engine overheats it will go into "skip spark" mode which keeps it from melting but limits power.

I agree.  Stay out of traffic.  If it starts to ping, pull over and wait a bit.  

[Billbo]

Update: (don't you hate it when people just leave stuff like this hanging?) He's back safe and sound. Rode back non-stop from New Orleans to Greensboro NC. Yeah, he's a hard-ass. Did it mostly at night cause it was cooler. Said it pinged a few times and the cylinder would cut out, lose power, just like you guys said. That only happened twice, and he pulled over and let it cool down. He said the fan would come on some, but not like it used to? I'm suspecting temp senser. He's coming by my shop this afternoon and I'll dig into it. Thanks again for y'alls input.
                                                           -Bill