TR650 overheating

[RidingDonkeys]

A few people have mentioned switching to a cap of a Kawasaki if memory serves me correct. I wonder if that cap is any easier to get off?

 

[mag00]

• Right index finger in the tab in the back, left index finger on the tab in the front.
• Rotate 1/4 turn, then stop and remove hands
• Right index finger on the same tab, which is now pointed towards the outside of the bike - but with finger laying down touching the radiator cap, which would cause your entire body to be closer to the ground
• Left index finger on the same tab that you had it on, which is now pointed to the inside of the bike
• At this point you should notice your arms (fingers) are basically 'crossed'
• Rotate the last 1/4 turn.

At least that is how I did it.

You make it sound so seductive.

I faced the radiator and loosened to the first notch, crouched down then took left finger and shoved it up and in the opening on the far left (you can see the hole when you crouch down far enough) and reached up in and to the cap and right finger on right side of cap in the big area.Being lower, it was enough easier to pull down and forward with the left finger, and pull down and push with the right finger. The Pulling down was and is the key to easy removal. Must have been a design after thought. I was ready to pull the plastic.

 

[AUS_TR650]

A few people have mentioned switching to a cap of a Kawasaki if memory serves me correct. I wonder if that cap is any easier to get off?

Much, much easier. Importantly also allows coolant to flow back into the radiator after shutdown when the system cools down.

 

[MadDogTR]

Much, much easier. Importantly also allows coolant to flow back into the radiator after shutdown when the system cools down.

Which Kawasaki cap are we talking about?

 

[Coffee]

You make it sound so seductive.

I faced the radiator and loosened to the first notch, crouched down then took left finger and shoved it up and in the opening on the far left (you can see the hole when you crouch down far enough) and reached up in and to the cap and right finger on right side of cap in the big area.Being lower, it was enough easier to pull down and forward with the left finger, and pull down and push with the right finger. The Pulling down was and is the key to easy removal. Must have been a design after thought. I was ready to pull the plastic.

I think you did what I was attempting to describe, and yes I was also ready to pull the plastic at some point - but thought better of it.

 

[RidingDonkeys]

Which Kawasaki cap are we talking about?

Not sure. Someone posted it either here or on ADVrider. I'll do a search for the post later tonight.

 

[bluegopher]

I think you did what I was attempting to describe, and yes I was also ready to pull the plastic at some point - but thought better of it.

I pulled the plastic after 30 seconds. Figured it was easier than dealing with that cap. I'll have to practice to get the procedure down but patience sometimes is not a virtue of mine. A few screws and the plastic was pulled away enough to make the cap removal easier.

 

[krussell]

• Right index finger in the tab in the back, left index finger on the tab in the front.
• Rotate 1/4 turn, then stop and remove hands
• Right index finger on the same tab, which is now pointed towards the outside of the bike - but with finger laying down touching the radiator cap, which would cause your entire body to be closer to the ground
• Left index finger on the same tab that you had it on, which is now pointed to the inside of the bike
• At this point you should notice your arms (fingers) are basically 'crossed'
• Rotate the last 1/4 turn.

At least that is how I did it.

Thanks for this. Yet another example of if it's that hard you aren't doing it right. I fiddled and fiddled to no avail. Followed your instructions and had it off in about five seconds.

It's great that Husky gave us these little challenges. If we didn't spend our time figuring out how to get the radiator cap off we'd exceed our fuel / tire budget because we were spending all our time riding.

 

[krussell]

In my first 200 mi on the Terra I thought it was running hotter than the Strada, but I figured it was just break in. Then did 150 mi last night and had the red warning light come on several times, usually slow uphill and stop and go in traffic. Burped the thing and did 50 miles tonight. It's a massive improvement, like three bars are so. Fan didn't even come on the whole time I was out. Highly recommend you give it a shot if you think you are runnin' hot.

 

[Ogre_fl]

If your overflow tank is near max full, does it drain/overflow when you open the cap to burp these things?
Trying to figure out how big a mess to prep for.

Krussell, how many bars are "normal", are you saying 3 bars?
I see around 6 or so, about 1/2 way on the scale.

 

[Coffee]

If your overflow tank is near max full, does it drain/overflow when you open the cap to burp these things?
Trying to figure out how big a mess to prep for..

My bike was completely vertical on a bike stand, and yes my overflow tank drained when I took of the radiator cap. Not sure if it completely drained, but it drained.

Others have reported the overflow tank not draining, if so, that would probably mean the bike was on the kickstand & leaning.

 

[AUS_TR650]

If your overflow tank is near max full, does it drain/overflow when you open the cap to burp these things?
I see around 6 or so, about 1/2 way on the scale.

Buy yourself a syringe with a short piece of plastic tube to empty the overflow tank prior to burping. Refill it after refitting the radiator cap.

You're correct, about half way for the operating temp for the bike. I'd be concerned with anything less; maybe an air pocket at the coolant temp sensor?

Edit - or a stuck open thermostat?

 

[Ogre_fl]

Well I haven't got to burping/bleeding the radiator yet, but the bike may have beat me to it.
When riding it to town on an errand it puked coolant all over me.
Oddly the temp light was not lit and the temp gauge was just over 1/2.

Has anyone else had it puke when not really showing an overheat?
Is that a bubble working itself out?

 

[bluegopher]

Well I haven't got to burping/bleeding the radiator yet, but the bike may have beat me to it.
When riding it to town on an errand it puked coolant all over me.
Oddly the temp light was not lit and the temp gauge was just over 1/2.

Has anyone else had it puke when not really showing an overheat?
Is that a bubble working itself out?

Same thing happened to me, almost. I was within a couple miles from home on my 25 mi commute from work. I started smelling coolant then looked down to see my leg was covered and more kept coming. I checked the temp and nothing out of the ordinary. Strange. Then about a mile later the temp spiked and red light came on. I continued up the driveway, parked, shut it off and took it back to the dealer the next day. This was the second time it had overheated. They said they burped a huge bubble out of it. I haven't had a problem since then and that was about 850 mi ago.

 

[megatiker75]

Sorry but when I open the radiator cap must open also to the waste? And after you go off the air bubbles the radiator cap must close immediately or after letting it cool the bike?

Scusate ma quando apro il tappo del radiatore devo aprire anche quello della vaschetta di recupero? E dopo aver fatto andare via le bolle d'aria il tappo del radiatore devo chiuderlo subito o dopo aver fatto raffreddare la moto ?

 

[RidingDonkeys]

Really, you just need the radiator cap open. After the bubbles stop, turn off the motorcycle and put the cap back on.

 

[megatiker75]

Indeed, it is amazing that despite having repeatedly told the dealer that I had overheating problems, they have done nothing if you do not tell me that was normal. Now it works very well the fan at the same temperatures in recent days has not been practically never turned it on. thanks guys you are my salvation

Fatto, è incredibile che nonostante abbia detto più volte al concessionario che avevo problemi di surriscaldamento, loro non abbiano fatto nulla se non dirmi che era normale. Ora funziona molto bene la ventola alle stesse temperature dei giorni scorsi non si è praticamente mai accesa. grazie ragazzi siete la mia salvezza

 

[deb]

Thanks guys just bought my strada friday. today had a couple guys at coffee tell me about a bad thremostat only issue they had on terraand told me what to watch for. Wouldn't you know ran it into town and after a few stoplights on an 88degree day started to register 2bars short of hot and spewed some coolant and as I pulled into a parking space redlight went off. I only have 60 miles on my new bike. let it cool for only a few minutes and ran pretty well home as long as i was going still got a little warm at lights. Will call dealer tuesday. Didn't smell anything scary as I realize brutal on new engine to overheat. hard to see overflow but appears to be some fluid at bottom line.
deb

 

[Coffee]

Thanks guys just bought my strada friday. today had a couple guys at coffee tell me about a bad thremostat only issue they had on terraand told me what to watch for. Wouldn't you know ran it into town and after a few stoplights on an 88degree day started to register 2bars short of hot and spewed some coolant and as I pulled into a parking space redlight went off. I only have 60 miles on my new bike. let it cool for only a few minutes and ran pretty well home as long as i was going still got a little warm at lights. Will call dealer tuesday. Didn't smell anything scary as I realize brutal on new engine to overheat. hard to see overflow but appears to be some fluid at bottom line.
deb

I think most of them do that, mine did. Follow instructions in this thread to 'burp' the cooling system.

 

[deb]

thanks kind of took that silly grin off my face worried i hurt my new bike.
deb