Quite simply, my bike is bleeding.

TheBoyChris · Scooby Slapper Joined: 29 Mar 2004 Karma :

Pulled into my road after a 25 minute ride back from work. Everything was going well until I came to a halt and noticed something was wrong.

Smoke. Not much, but enough for me to think some minor fire had started. So... I cut the engine, clunk her into neutral and roll her onto the pavement, propping her up.

To cut a long story short it seems I'm loosing fluid, and it's greeny in colour. I know that it isn't brake fluid but I've got no idea what it actually *is*. So far the theory is that it's coolant, and that a stone chip has damaged my radiator, but as it's night and my torch is AWOL I can't check Sad

Does this sound about right? Also, I've got my MOT soon, should I chance riding it to the MOT and letting them fix whatever is wrong, or should I fix it ASAP.

I'm such a newbie with bikes at the moment, I've got no idea how to fix it, or even if I can/should.

Thanks in advance.

Chris

(Edit: My bike is an Aprilia RS125... figures huh...)

McJamweasel · BCF Junkie Joined: 22 Mar 2002 Karma :

Green stuff will be coolant or cheap 2 stroke oil. Was it oily? If not then it'll be the coolant. That may not be a problem as such, as you may of just lost some from te overflow if it was a bit full or if it was overheating. Was it abnormally hot?
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TheBoyChris · Scooby Slapper Joined: 29 Mar 2004 Karma :

It wasn't oily, so yeah our guess is coolant. I don't think it was overflowing, but there was some steam and hissing at one point.

I'm going to get it sorted good and proper. Time to get the spanners...

McJamweasel · BCF Junkie Joined: 22 Mar 2002 Karma :

Sounds like its overheated and pissed itself out of the overflow.
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BCF: Be yourself, just don't be an arse.

TheBoyChris · Scooby Slapper Joined: 29 Mar 2004 Karma :

It really wasn't happy. I'm going to check it out tomorrow when I've got some light to deal with Smile

TheBoyChris · Scooby Slapper Joined: 29 Mar 2004 Karma :

Ok, no obvious leak/crack so basically I'm just going to refill the collant, drive her round the block and see if I still get hassle.

One more question then if I may:

What do I fill it with? I'm assuming an Anti-Freeze/Distilled Water combo, but what ratio? 10 parts Anti-Freeze for every 100 water?

Thanks again, I feel like such a newbie :S

TheBoyChris · Scooby Slapper Joined: 29 Mar 2004 Karma :

Nevermind. I did the obvious and read the service manual (after finding it at last)

Next time, tell me to shut up and use the search button Smile

Git · Brolly Dolly Joined: 17 Dec 2003 Karma :

Ethylene glycol suitable for aluminium engines mixed at a 1:1 ratio i would think, you can buy it already mixed, just pour it in, no messing about then.

Kickstart · The Oracle Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

Hi

The RS has no seperate overflow tank. It has a pressurised header tank. Could be the cap on that was not tight. There is also a bleed screw on one of the water bike which might be worth checking.

Use a 50/50 mix of water and antifreeze.

All the best

Keith
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