Here are 2 pics of the piece in question. If you can look at these pics and tell me that this doesn't hinder the cooling capabilities of the unit, I give up.

And it's definitely plastic, about 1/8" in thickness.

 

Don't what to get in trouble here but the cooler FDHOG is showing is for a 2011 Road King which is part # 26155-11. On my bike, a 2009 Ultra Classic, the cooler is different, part # 26155-09 and is not the same setup. I check my cooler and the plastic\metal cover around the cooler does not come off as easliy as best I can tell. It appears that my cover is built in such a way the oil lines are connected to the cover and thereby making in impossible to remove. If I am wrong here let me know. Not a big time mechanic but I think I am correct.

 

Turns out we're talking about 2 different animals. It kind of clears up things. Can you see what my reasoning is with the piece of crap covering my cooler?
I just took my bike out today and rode in city traffic for about an hour. Normally I would hit about 250+ deg. It didn't go above 235. Even if it's just psychological, it's staying off.

 

Just removed mine(HD metal one).The oil cooler was an ad on when I bought the bike,09 RKC.There were three screws on the bottom that held the cooler and the cover.Suppose to be hot tomorrow when I go looking at some jobs,we'll see.Thanks for the advice.

 

For sure, your cover is quite large where mine is not. Mine has a thin ribbon around the outside and is no where as large as yours. I can see how by removing your style cooler cover would open up the entire face of the coils and allow for better air flow. I don't think removing my ribbon would do me much good. But, as I stated earlier, I removed the chrome cover to allow for more air flow. The chrome cover really restricts the airflow on ALL of the coolers. In this case, the chrome cover does more harm than good but for some, they want the chrome for looks.

 

My HD cooler came with a chrome cover with the bar and shield logo on it. I never installed it thinking heat and mismatch of chrome and black low down in front of the engine.

 

Went riding today and the temp was in the high nineties,about 15 degrees warmer than Saturday.Did about the same kind of riding and the bike ran a little cooler.I think a ten degree difference might be right.Thanks for the suggestion.