coolant change

Hope you guys can help. i have never done a coolant change before, do you have to run the engine when you refill the rad, also my coolant is clean and been in for a few years so is it needed to be changed, i have heard of air lock problems, hope you can help, kind regards

I'm pretty sure you don't run it while filling, just once you have filled it up and then, only briefly. Then you check the level and top it up as necessary.

If you are concerned about not getting any trapped air then turn the engine over manually while filling, either by pushing the bike along in 2nd gear until the engine turns over a few times or by using the nut under the screw-cover in the middle of the alternator.

Ideally you'll want to run the engine for just long enough for the thermostat to open with the cap loose so any trapped air can escape.  It's alot easier to do if you have a slave tank.

Make sure the engine is cold so the system it's pressurised, undo the bottom hose that goes from the rad to the pump. Use a 6mm I think socket (do not use a screwdriver you'll wreck the head on it believe me) to undo the hose and pull it off and the coolant will come out. 

From there remove the tank and then remove the thermostat, more fluid will then come out. Refill it with water and then run the bike for a few miles, let it cool down and then drop the water. Repeat this until the water comes out as clear as it went in. Becareful when removing the hose as it is well almost boiling hot water after all.

After you've practiced using just water (flushing the engine/all the old coolant out) do a 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water and then pour it into the system, you won't have to worry about messing up as you'll have already practiced it.

thank you cheers

What James said will work, but for reference there is a coolant drain plug near the water pump - there is a picture in Haynes of the exactly location.

eternally_troubled wrote:What James said will work, but for reference there is a coolant drain plug near the water pump - there is a picture in Haynes of the exactly location.

oh really? didn't know that but then again I know what bolts are like for snapping off. circlips are much easier to replace

Jameshambleton wrote:

eternally_troubled wrote:What James said will work, but for reference there is a coolant drain plug near the water pump - there is a picture in Haynes of the exactly location.

oh really? didn't know that but then again I know what bolts are like for snapping off. circlips are much easier to replace ;)

Mine has never seemed like it was going to get stuck, despite all the corrosion. The only advantage of using the drain plug is that it makes it easier to empty the pump of coolant...

This is a splendid example of the fantastic info and friendly atmosphere here. This all I need right now for changing coolant

replace also the coolant from the expansion tank, you can find a lot of dirt there
if you remove it to clean it, it's even better

Thank you kindly, all went well. 

I think one needs to take out the thermostat to get all liquid out. I also think that might be the problem if ppl can't fill up with more than 1-1.5 L. I also - as you recommend - sucked out all the coolant in the overflow container. I managed to fill the bike up with nearly 2.3 L. I'd say more than that is impossible - at least with my beauty.

But removing the container is too much to me - bikes are notorious PiTAs regarding narrow passages; much worse than elderly cars. But all that came out there was clear liquid anyway.