1 Hot bike?

[Reddog170]

What is "normal" temp for a first gen? My bike likes to run just below the red on the stock gauge. The fan comes on and off like it should. On the highway it runs a little cooler, but not much. Do I need to flush the system out again? If I just cruise around town my legs will get reel warm reel quick. It is WAY worse running the side covers than without. Any ideas? Shaun

[Pam]

Hi Shaun

 

You say you have flushed the system. Do you have a 50/50 mix of antifreeze. You might need to look at a thermostat. I believe there is a X reference for the right thermostat from NAPA in the Tech pages. Also I don't think the early stock gauges were calibrated all that close/accurate

 

My 83 runs just over 1/2 way on the stock gauge on the HWY. In town it is a little warmer unless the air temp it hot. Then it is hotter:080402gudl_prv:.

[Snaggletooth]

If you are getting the same temps at your place as I am here (85-95 degrees) it sounds about right.

 

The gauge will run just short of the red around town and drop a bit on the open road in really hot weather.

 

About 3/4 up in the green is a good reference point for running down the road in decent weather.

[bongobobny]

Yah! Known fact, MK1 temp gauges read high! Just below the red is pretty normal. I will mention that carbs out of sync will make them run hot as well...

[MasterGuns]

I have had several older 1st Gens and two of them ran hotter than they should have. I did all the routine stuff; drained and flushed, checked out the thermostat for proper operation, fuel mixture, etc. etc. One day I removed the radiator on my current 86 that has a 89 motor and held it up to the light to see just how clogged with debris it was, not inside but in between the cooling fins/coils. To my surprise it was about 50% clogged with little rocks, sand, petrified bugs, little piece of wood, whatever. I removed as mush as I could with a 1300 psi pressure washer, and used a modified feeler guage to force the crap out from between the cooling rods. I removed approximately 75%, maybe more of the junk that had been lodged in the radiator probably for years. The more I freed up stuff the better the high pressure washer worked to remove even more. Anyway, when satified I had made substantial improvement, I reinstalled the radiator. I now runs just barely into the green zone; much, much cooler. Worked for me. Take a look see with a flashlight and mirror and see what you can determine. May be worth your time.

Edited May 13, 2011 by MasterGuns

[GolfVenture]

Maybe you might consider using Water Wetter, after the cleaning. I've read that there are differences of opinion in using Water Wetter. I'll see of I can find the thread. I'm planning on using it after I clean my radiator. And then I'm thinking about installing a fine mess screen in front of the Rad.

[jasonm.]

cleaning RAD. No pressure washer.... remove grill, use a tooth brush and water

[easternrider]

I only have 27K on my bike, and it runs cooler than yours. On a hot day, close to the red if not moving very fast. On the Hwy, closer to the bottom of the gauge. From what I can see, rad seems really clean.

[Condor]

Take a look see with a flashlight and mirror and see what you can determine. May be worth your time.

 

Good thinking Herb. It's something I do on cars, but never gave it a thought on a 25+ year old scoot.