Don,
According to the manual, "The coolant is re-circulated through the cylinders and the combustion chamber in the cylinder heads. The thermostat blocks the passage to the radiator to recirculate the coolant. As the coolant exits the pump, it flows through the crankcase and around the cylinder liners removing the heat build up caused by the motion of the piston rings. From the cylinder liners, the coolant flows up through the cylinder head and around the exhaust valves and combustion chamber, it then flows back through the closed thermostat into the pump to repeat the cycle."
"Once the coolant exceeds 100C the thermostat remains open and blocks the by-pass between the entrance and exit ports of the case."
"After the coolant leaves the cylinder heads it flows through the radiator inlet coolant pipe to the radiator..."
The original VR1000 motors didn't have the cooling fins and the documentary on the creation of the V-Rod makes mention that the designers needed to have the fins to allow for a more "Standard" Harley look. I remember them saying that they weren't needed because of the efficiency of the cooling system but I'll watch it again.
Ed