[footprintsinconc]

I've found that any garage will take it free of charge if you drop it off at night when nobody is looking :icon_susp

LOL!!! :hmm2:now where is the closest shop to me..... LOL, good one!

 

[Spoiler]

First of all, thanks for the great tutorial here jstar... I will be doing this as well, I assume that an 1800 is pretty similar in this regard.. Nice write up.

How many miles on the bike or how long in time period that I have to do the coolant change. I did not see it mention in the manual service maybe I over look. thanks

This is my question also.. How often would you have to do this?

I've found that any garage will take it free of charge if you drop it off at night when nobody is looking :icon_susp

Not to hijack this thread, but this is also a great tip. I have found a similar savings with trash disposal.. Convenience stores have big 'ole dumpsters to drop off your stuff after hours. But some locations have camera's, so just be sure to get your "Uni-bomber" hoodie snugged up pretty good and tighten up the velcro on your tenny shoes first.... (I'll try to do a write up with pic's next time I'm out doing a late night dumpster dash... )

 

[jstar61]

How many miles on the bike or how long in time period that I have to do the coolant change. I did not see it mention in the manual service maybe I over look. thanks

The 1300 service schedule calls for inspection every 8,000 miles and replace at 24,000. I imagine the 1800 would be probably be the same.

 

[davbib]

The 1300 service schedule calls for inspection every 8,000 miles and replace at 24,000. I imagine the 1800 would be probably be the same.

Or every 2 years, whichever comes first.

 

[Charlie D]

mine is due again and only been a year and a half

 

[Joe mama]

Outstanding post, I was a bit lazy i can not remeber what sit it was, i made a prop post and held up the tank and drained and reserviced coolent. Took a little longer but made it happen..

 

[GWorthy69]

Coolant Change

Thanks for the info- Is there any brand of coolant you prefer? Have you heard of "Liquid Ice"?

 

[ewkearns]

I went to several auto stores in my area and could not find one bottle of antifreeze that stated it is silicate free........still looking!!

Havoline® Extended Life Anti-Freeze/Coolant DEX-COOL® is good-to-go.... I'm sure there are others....

 

[deputy83]

Why can't I see the pics?

 

[ewkearns]

Why can't I see the pics?

SWAG..... because they have been removed? I know the site owner is having issues with disk capacity, that might be it....

They were there, but appear to have been removed... :kidding:

 

[h2omagnet]

I'm with you, would love to see the pics on this!

 

[GeneticVTX]

awesome writeup thanks!

anyone ever use just engine ice? Will it work?

 

[jstar61]

I don't know what happened to the pics, let me see what I can do to restore them.

Ok, I changed out my coolant Saturday, so I thought I would go ahead and take some pics along the way.

The bike doesn't need to be on a stand, but it makes things easier to get at.

First thing is to remove the tank. Check out Bassdudes link here. http://www.vtxcafe.com/showthread.php?t=33679&highlight=tank+removal

Then remove the radiator cap.

Remove the left side cover, and left side trans cover.

With a pan under the bike to catch the fluid, remove the cooling system drain bolt, and allow coolant to drain completely.

Reinstall the drain bolt with a new sealing washer.

The manual calls for removing the siphon hose from the overflow tank and draining, but I chose to remove the entire tank and drain and clean. You only have to remove the filler neck, and one mounting bolt. There is a rubber grommet that holds the right side of the tank so don’t lose it.

Pull the tank down as far as possible and then remove the siphon hose and hold your thumb over the inlet while removing it the rest of the way.

Clean and reinstall the overflow tank.

Fill the system with a 1:1 mixture of silicate free ethylene glycol anti-freeze and distilled water up to the filler neck.

Set the tank back on and connect the fuel and vacuum lines and run the bike at idle for 3 minutes. Give the throttle a few rev’s to work any air out of the system.

Top off the coolant at the filler neck, and replace cap.

Fill the overflow tank to the high mark (I used a squeeze bottle and filled it before reinstalling the filler neck) and replace cap.

Wipe everything down, check for leaks, replace side covers and you are ready to roll. :choppersm

If I missed anything or anyone has anything to add feel free.

 

[Identitycrisis]

I should probably do this as well, I dont know what has been done to the bike, as I am around 10,500 miles and mine is an 04... coolant is on the list of things to get this week!

 

[deputy83]

So can you use the 50/50 Prestone or do you have to use the concentrate and add water?

 

[M-2]

Might also add that when rinsing out the overflow to use distilled water.

I also buy the pre-mixed Honda antifreeze. A little extra cash is worth the piece of mind.


Sent from somewhere in the deep East Texas Piney Woods using Tapatalk

 

[jstar61]

Might also add that when rinsing out the overflow to use distilled water.

I also buy the pre-mixed Honda antifreeze. A little extra cash is worth the piece of mind.


Sent from somewhere in the deep East Texas Piney Woods using Tapatalk

Kind of personal preference. I figure if you have enough ability to be doing it yourself, you probably can figure out a 1 to 1 mixture.
As for rinsing out the overflow with distilled water, If that makes you feel better go for it.

 

[M-2]

Kind of personal preference. I figure if you have enough ability to be doing it yourself, you probably can figure out a 1 to 1 mixture.
As for rinsing out the overflow with distilled water, If that makes you feel better go for it.

Just suggestions.


Sent from somewhere in the deep East Texas Piney Woods using Tapatalk

 

[Segue]

First of all, thanks for the write-up. It definitely helped me a couple weeks ago!

I'd like to clarify/add a couple things for anyone else following your directions:

1. Clarification - You don't have to completely remove the overflow tank to empty it, but you do have to tilt it down to pour the coolant out the up-angled siphon spout. (There are two other hoses that are way up under the bike that can stay attached.) If you remove the plastic filler neck/cap from the rubber hose, you can pull the tank down far enough to pour out the coolant. Yes, this was in the write-up, but I didn't understand what you meant until I figured it out myself later.

2. After running around my house for 10 minutes looking for a squeeze bottle, and failing, I realized what the filler neck is designed to do: Pull it out of the plastic holder clip, out at a 45 degree angle, and spin the neck around so the opening is pointing up. Then you can use a funnel to fill it! No need for a squeeze bottle.

 

[tallredboned]

pics, ok found them...thanks that was magically simple.