ST1300 - Chinese radiator? anyone tried one?

MrButter

Joined
Dec 3, 2017
Messages
26
Location
Barcelona
Bike
MotoGuzzi Griso 1100
Hi guys

Been looking at used radiators, as mine is significantly corroded (fan mount tabs dissolved and side tanks heavily oxidised)

New OEM is very spendy, used are rare and often accident damaged . I found this online, looks OK , but anyone seen one in the flesh?

Golpher Aluminium Radiator For ST1300 CB1300 2001-2016
http://s.aliexpress.com/eiqiUzqq

I have had mixed experience with Chinese , either excellent or terrible ... Not much in between , opinions please !
 
Interesting...

No, I haven't tried these, but I did spend $500 on some crap fairing pieces that would have taken a lot of work to get them to work, plus painting everything else to match.

Because of that, I stay away from "expensive" Chinese parts. I do buy things that I don't spend a lot of money on (<$25) that if they don't work, i don't worry about it too much.
 
I'd never put a Chinese radiator in my ST, nor battery, or anything else. I wouldn't have confidence in the fit, workmanship, or durability. There is a reason they are much cheaper than OEM radiator. But perhaps that is just me.

On a anecdotal note I have a friend with a 99 Accord, he's replaced many worn out parts with Advance Auto parts (they sell only Chinese made parts) stuff like radiators, batteries, brakes, etc and to the part all lasted about a year. Many didn't "quite fit right," and caused leaks and put him down on the side of he road.

But to each his own.
 
BamaRider said:
I'd never put a Chinese radiator in my ST, nor battery, or anything else. I wouldn't have confidence in the fit, workmanship, or durability. There is a reason they are much cheaper than OEM radiator. But perhaps that is just me.

On a anecdotal note I have a friend with a 99 Accord, he's replaced many worn out parts with Advance Auto parts (they sell only Chinese made parts) stuff like radiators, batteries, brakes, etc and to the part all lasted about a year. Many didn't "quite fit right," and caused leaks and put him down on the side of he road.

But to each his own.
Click to expand...

Not everythng Chinese is junk. But since you cannot examine it first, the learning curve is sort of like El Capitan - straight up.
 
I wouldn't be surprised to learn that many, if not most, of the manufacturers use Chinese made OEM parts.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 
I can't disagree with any of these points. I suppose the title was asking for that, only one way to get the answwr... it's a 250 dollar question....
 
Well, its apparently no longer available ..... Golpher brand seems well known in Australia, but that's it for me. If I find a better solution, will report back
 
its definitely going to be risk ... as dell boy would say " he who Dares , wins Rodders !" or not.:confused:, ask to see if you can return it if not satisfied with quality , or buy on your VISA card , so you get some protection.. i.e. in Uk our credit cards have protection term know as section 75 , I think which means you should have some sort of cover if quality is crap.

just a thought !
 
MrButter said:
Hi guys

Been looking at used radiators, as mine is significantly corroded (fan mount tabs dissolved and side tanks heavily oxidised)

New OEM is very spendy, used are rare and often accident damaged . I found this online, looks OK , but anyone seen one in the flesh?

Golpher Aluminium Radiator For ST1300 CB1300 2001-2016
http://s.aliexpress.com/eiqiUzqq

I have had mixed experience with Chinese , either excellent or terrible ... Not much in between , opinions please !
Click to expand...

If you are sent the radiator in the picture, I wouldn't hesitate - it looks just fine to me.
 
A point I forgot to make earlier was that I installed a Chinese made radiator in our family minivan years ago when the OEM plastic top tank split open whilst out of town. It was all I could find at the time so I installed it to salvage our trip fully expecting to have to replace it when we got home. It was only about $100 so I was sure it wouldn't last. Well, 5 years and 80,000 miles later, when we sold that vehicle, that radiator was still in there!
 
I pretty much rely on the reviews when buying anything. Lots of good Chinese stuff out there.
Lots of junk, too. I do not use Chinese manufactured goods in any critical components like brake components, bearings, or tires.

There are lots of electrical components manufactured in China on all four of my bikes, aftermarket or OEM. Lighting (LEDS) is a biggie.

Generally speaking re: Asian goods, those made in Taiwan, S. Korea and Japan are excellent, at least in my experience.
 
Maybe a good idea to take broken OEM and Chinese both to radiator shop before install. Maybe the shop can mix the best and repair what is not the best of.
Just my .02
 
Re: ST1300 - Chinese radiator? anyone tried one? (s

Hey guys - I ordered one, and it came in less than a week! ... extremely well packed, with new rubbers, and fastening clips... and a radiator cap .. quality looks decent, much thicker alloy on the side tacks and tubing... maybe looks better than stock... :eek:

Heres a few "unboxing" photos

https://photos.app.goo.gl/l8qPmdLDt0IHbRqv1


will report back after fitting.....
 
oh, and thanks for the reply´s - I did think about having the original rebuilt as suggested , (I had some success with that some years go whn the SV650 was a new bike, and parts were scarce), but as the side tanks had so much corrosion (never seen one so bad) I didnt think it was worth it.
 
Re: ST1300 - Chinese radiator? anyone tried one? (s

Looks good mr butter,

looking forward to hearing how the fitting goes ... it might be the way forward for a new radiator..

regards

Tony
MrButter said:
Hey guys - I ordered one, and it came in less than a week! ... extremely well packed, with new rubbers, and fastening clips... and a radiator cap .. quality looks decent, much thicker alloy on the side tacks and tubing... maybe looks better than stock... :eek:

Heres a few "unboxing" photos

https://photos.app.goo.gl/l8qPmdLDt0IHbRqv1


will report back after fitting.....
Click to expand...
 
Re: ST1300 - Chinese radiator? anyone tried one? (s

MrButter said:
Heres a few "unboxing" photos
Click to expand...
That looks like a really nice piece to me. People are quick to judge the "Chinese" parts, and I understand why, but I have had good luck with things I have used from there, even though some are of a tad lower quality. Depending on the part and application, I would choose wisely. In the case of this rad, it looks great.
 
Last edited:
Re: ST1300 - Chinese radiator? anyone tried one? (s

MrButter said:
Hey guys - I ordered one, and it came in less than a week! ... extremely well packed, with new rubbers, and fastening clips... and a radiator cap .. quality looks decent, much thicker alloy on the side tacks and tubing... maybe looks better than stock... :eek:

Heres a few "unboxing" photos

https://photos.app.goo.gl/l8qPmdLDt0IHbRqv1


will report back after fitting.....
Click to expand...

Hey - that does look like a pretty good part. From my travels to China I have noted that in the past, the stuff they made was built on old machinery using inferior materials but more recent production is often done in state of the art shops using quality materials. That rad may be an excellent score!

Looking forward to the installation and start-up post. :bigpop:

Pete
 
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