Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Oil cooler subframes, large and small

The 1991 Triumph Trophy 1200 is fitted with an oil cooler, in common with all other faired models. The first models were all fitted with the same cooler - a 9 inch wide, 5-row aluminium radiator with fittings for banjo bolts. Some time in 1992, the factory started fitting larger versions to the 1200 models - a 10-inch-wide, 7-row radiator. This required a larger cooler subframe.

5-row subframe on the left, 7-row subframe on the right
This post shows pictures of the two cooler subframes next to one another (along with a variety of old engine gaskets pending replacement!). Triumph also changed the oil lines so that the banjo fittings were positioned on top instead of underneath the radiator. I suspect this decision was to protect the fittings from corrosion because muck accumulates on the lower edge.


7-row cooler subframe
5-row cooler subframe




The later subframe has two angled brackets on the top edge, the angles to make room for the top-mounted oil lines.







With the 5-row subframe on top of the 7-row subframe,
the size difference is clear
I want to preserve as many of the fittings of the original bike as possible but think the larger radiator is a good idea. My bike had been running hot when I rode it home. I intend to try fitting a 7-row radiator from a later Sprint 955i into the smaller frame. I've got some ideas on how to do this. 

No comments: