599 Rad Cover Options [Archive]

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FiveNineNine

01-02-2007, 02:45 PM

I've been searching high & low for a 599 rad cover to replace the stock black plastic one. The only ones I have found look like they're from Mad Max. I'm looking for brushed steel, carbon look or matte black with a simple grill design. 
 
I'd appreciate any ideas!

Wolf

01-02-2007, 04:00 PM

Welcome back, FiveNineNine. I decided to keep mine stock, and didn't want to just give you results of a Google search. My advice, then, is to go to <A HREF=http://www.hondahornet.co.uk TARGET='_blank'>The Hornet's Nest</A> forums and ask on the Hornet 600 forum. Tell them where you're located so they know who to refer you to.

Fid_Hawser

01-03-2007, 12:28 AM

Can either of you post a pic of the standard grill? The first thing that pops into my mind is to just take some expanded metal (diamond pattern) and cut/brake to fit. Any high school metalworking class or neighborhood machine shop should be able to make something tidy that wouldn't look too Mad Max-ish. 
<A HREF=http://www.canyonchasers.net/shop/955i/radiator.php TARGET='_blank'>Like this.</A>

FiveNineNine

01-03-2007, 12:32 PM

Fid: That's a cool idea. My bike is away for the winter so a shot is tough to come by. Not sure if it's the same as Wolf's '06 but mine is an '04 and it's this glossy, black plastic which ain't cutting it. 
 
Wolf: Thanks for the suggestion. I've been on Hornet's Nest and Hornet's Nest USA with no luck as of yet but I shall continue and report back if I find anything. So far I have only come across chromed out Medieval looking stuff.

FiveNineNine

01-03-2007, 01:07 PM

This is the nicest one I have found so far: 
 
<img>http://www.rizoma.com/images/immagini_catalogo/pop_up/RA003A.jpg</img> 
 
It comes in SS or BLK.

Fid_Hawser

01-03-2007, 03:10 PM

The end pieces on the radiator are what are an eyesore to me. Before I got Neville I lusted after the SV650, but swore those parts would change (paint or a reflector) immediately. Good luck finding a grill you love.

Wolf

01-03-2007, 03:21 PM

Wow, I had no idea those side pieces were so pricey. Almost $200 for the pair. Here's one side for the '04 599: 
http://www.rideaddict.com/ProductImages/tcp_aerodynamics/tcp_honda/03-04h_599/03-04_599_rd_pnl.jpg 
 
I stole this photo off RideAddict.com. 
 
My radiator cover is the basic black plastic, probably the same as the '04 version. I don't plan to replace it simply because I live in a hot climate and have heard that the stainless and custom versions can affect cooling efficiency noticeably. 
 
Just for you, Fid, I'm going to try and snap and post a photo of my radiator guard tonight! 
;- )

BugsInMyTeeth

01-03-2007, 08:18 PM

I had this one on my black 04 599 before it was totaled. I got it from the Hornets Nest. I was still good so I sold it to CBrider599. 
 
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v618/99TJMike/2004%20Honda%20CB600F/DSC00001.jpg

Wolf

01-04-2007, 10:06 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE><TABLE BORDER=1><TR><TD>Can either of you post a pic of the standard grill?</TD></TR></TABLE></BLOCKQUOTE> 
By popular demand, I present the standard grill on my 599: 
 
 
 
It's simple but not horribly ugly, and looks like it would protect against the major threats on the road. For those who wondered, that springy thing on the right hose helps my bike go down stairs, alone or in pairs ;- ) 
 
p.s. USD forks on the 2006 version; tree bien!

UncleErnie

01-04-2007, 03:02 PM

"tree bien!"- good tree? How about forks and grill hand-carved from mahogany? If money is a factor, there's always veneer. 
Looking at the pictures, I was wondering if some kind of screening or what's called "hardware cloth", which is actually wire, would look better just wrapped around everything. Maybe spray the screen black.

Wolf

01-04-2007, 03:51 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE><TABLE BORDER=1><TR><TD>"tree bien!"- good tree?</TD></TR></TABLE></BLOCKQUOTE> 
 
Sorry, but that's about as funny as I get that early in the morning. I guess I shoulda added a ;- ) at the end, huh? 
 
BTW, everyone knows that Cherry or Redwood is preferred when handcarving forks. 
 
;- )

FiveNineNine

01-04-2007, 04:01 PM

Like the idea of the screening, painted matte black. It would give it a real streetfighter look. Gonna keep looking for an actual fabricated cover though... I'll report back.