new to liquid cooled engines

[czakal]

Hello people,
Haven't been here for a while, as my bike was damaged in a theft attempt and I sold off the damaged machine. But I do plan to get a new one in a few months after I move, and it's my chance to move up from 125-250ccs (especially as I plan to move further out of town with more chances to go on fast carriageways. I noticed that above that size class, liquid cooled engines are much more common. What sort of additional maintenance do they require over air cooled engines? I've never owned any bikes with liquid cooled engines and I'd like to know how much extra work it involves. Thanks for the advice again!

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

Keep an eye on the coolant level, and change it completely every few years. That's it. Welcome to the modern age.
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[czakal]

I have to say I prefer the simplicity of air cooled, single cylinder and this would still be good enough for low power bikes. But if the coolant only needs changing every few years then it's not much work (I can have it done at the same time as the MOT for example if I don't want to get my hands dirty). I think I can live with that...

[Itchy]

Not much.

Keep an eye on the temperature gauge you want to note:

The fan to kick in now and again. If it doesn't kick in at 108C or so then there are electrical issues which you can resolve with a manual switch.

How fast the temperature rises. If it shoots up your coolant level might be low. On an naked bike this is easy on a faired bike this means removing fairings.

Change the coolant now and again as it separates and turns into a sludge if you keep it too long.

The only issue is if you need to tear the engine apart. The water jacket makes it more difficult.


In the longer term:

You need to check your radiator hoses for cracks and splits as they perish.

You also need to look at the jubilee clips as those rust to hell as well. I changed them every 2 years. It's £1-£2 so not a huge expense.

If it overheats quickly but coolant levels are fine you need to look at the radiator fins. Some people jet wash them which bends the fins. You shouldn't do this use air instead.

Finally over the super long term your radiator will simply corrode into aluminium powder. The paint always flakes off first. Then the radiator itself turns to powder. This takes years though but they leak after they go through enough time.
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Spain 2008France 2007Big one 2009 We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will. In the end, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching.

[Pete.]

If you clean the bike regularly with a jetwash, make sure you don't blast the radiator fins too much as it can bend them over and reduce cooling.
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132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[czakal]

Thanks for the advice people, in fact I had never been a great fan of jetwashing bikes, just feels like too likely to damage all the exposed parts (electrical and electronic especially).

[Polarbear]

It must be 6 months since I checked the coolant level on the Trophy I'll have a look next time I'm in the garage.

If there is nothing on he floor under the bike I'm happy
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[Itchy]

[czakal]

And thanks as well about the warning for corroded cooling systems--as decade old second hand big bikes are pretty common, this sort of wear and tear is definitely something to look out for.

[skatefreak]

I'm not saying this is how it should be done but I've not checked or changed anything coolant related on my CBR600 for years .

Still goes like the clappers and runs fine.

May treat it to a coolant change one of these days .

[chris-red]

[Polarbear]