RS250 Radiator Repair?

**Mon Jan 26, 2009 10:58 pm » Post: #1 » Download Post**

Are the side tanks of the RS radiator gass welded, brazed or soldered on? I am debating to attempt a repair or not. I was thinking I could pop the tanks off to remove the dents. Anyone have experience with this? Soldering alloy is no problem for me but I've never gas welded or brazed it before. Not sure I'd trust it to the local radiator shop!
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Andre E. Benguerel
1996 Honda NSR250R
Daijiro Kato/Fortuna Replica #74

2000 Honda RS250R (NX5)
2008 Honda RS250R (NXA)
AFM Expert #430

**Tue Jan 27, 2009 12:35 am » Post: #2 » Download Post**

Send an email to Carlos Neves, hell be able to tell you how they are put together.

http://www.carlosnevesracing.com/

He's repaired two radiators for me, and the work was amazing.
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Charles Gallant

**Wed Jan 28, 2009 5:38 pm » Post: #3 » Download Post**

Carlos told me TIG and argon. Ok I knew that in general but the side tanks on my RS radiator are soldered on. I tested with a MAP gas torch the other night. Makes it easy to repair. I am worried about disturbing the outlet/inlet and the tubes when I heat it up enough to get the tanks off. Radiator shops do it all the time though so it can't be that difficult.

**Wed Jan 28, 2009 5:42 pm » Post: #4 » Download Post**

The HRC ones on my '45 have like a gray flux on them which might be the same as yours. Mine were gas welded it seems from new and when I had them repaired the same was done.
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If I have to take the carbs off once more...

**Fri Jan 30, 2009 11:24 pm » Post: #5 » Download Post**

The side tanks on mine a definitely soldered on.

The solder melted pretty easily with a gas torch. I think I am going to TIG the pipes and temp sensor fitting on so I can solder the tanks back on and not worry about disturbing them.

I wonder if this was done to ease repairs? Larry's HRC radiator has all three TIG, gas weld and solder! I have heard the factory A-Kit and HRC RS's are similar.
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Andre E. Benguerel
1996 Honda NSR250R
Daijiro Kato/Fortuna Replica #74

2000 Honda RS250R (NX5)
2008 Honda RS250R (NXA)
AFM Expert #430

**Fri Jan 30, 2009 11:52 pm » Post: #6 » Download Post**

Larry's rads are a later spec compaired to mine. I would guess they would be the same style as the later A-Kit stuff.
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If I have to take the carbs off once more...

**Sat Jan 31, 2009 1:23 am » Post: #7 » Download Post**

Same principle is used in jewellery. We used a "hard" solder with the highest melting point to start with in initial construction, then "medium" solder to finish. You then use "easy" or "soft" solder for repairs, so the heat doesn't effect any of the other joints. (It's a little more involved than that, but you get the idea!)

Welding, brazing, and soldering would have a similar effect in my opinion, and would be a logical way to build a radiator.
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Andy.
NSR-WORLD.COM

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