gacotten

Check your radiator!

I thought i should share my experience diagnosing why my bird was overheating.

I was in stop and go traffic the outside temp was about 90F. The bike went past 122C and coolant started coming out of the overflow. The fan was running but didn't seem to make a difference.

I had a good look at the cooling system, I checked the thermostat, it was opening as it should at 85C. The electric fan was kicking in at 100C, as it should. Next I drained the coolant and I removed the radiator from the bike, I put it up to the light and noted that about 30% of the cooling fins were plugged with dirt and grease another 20% were bent form collisions with rocks and debris. I took a dental pick and gently straightened the bent fins. I then put the rad in the laundry sink with some hot water, liquid laundry detergent and TSP, (Tri-sodium phosphate). I shook the rad in the sink working it up and down to loosen the grease and debris. I went through 3 changes of water and soap before I could finally see through the cooling fins again. I still needed to work some of the debris loose with the dental pick and wash once more.

I just got back from a ride through the wonderful British Columbia countryside, (that's in Canada), the cooling system is working perfectly! Gets to 102C to 104C when idling for a while, the fan kicks in and it drops back to 97C and stays there, once I get going it drops to 85C to 87C and stays there.

flblackbird

Mine's full of Florida sand

__________________
Mike
02 Silver Bird
I'm a Yamaha tech., that's why I ride a Honda

ArmyStrong

Scared to even check, but I'll wait for the off-season.

__________________
Murphys 6th law of combat operations:
If it's stupid but it works, it ain't stupid.

birdpilot

I wash out my radiator with hose pressure once a week when i wash the bike.This keeps it clean and dosen't let shit build up.

__________________