| Author | Message | ||
     Donutclub |
Anyone else having challanges seeing the antifreeze through the provided window inside the right scoop? The antifreeze used by the factory is a "clear" color, thus it's hard to see. I think the best way to check the level is to remove the right scoop. The crux is that it has six torx screws that take a little time to remove just to quickly check the anitfreeze level in the overfill container. I'm thinking of replacing the six torx screws with a 1/4 turn Duzs connector. Maybe something like this:  | ||
| Ratbuell |
I think one of our guys used an LED penlight shining up thru the bottom of the reservoir to check the level. It lit the fluid enough you could see the top edge of the liquid. | ||
| Jedipunk |
On the bikes I've set-up so far it's been very hard to see through the sight window. I've had to remove the pod cover on each one. It seems as if the coolant isn't the red/orange color they stated in the literature. That Dzus fastener idea is a good one. | ||
| Bueller_bjorn |
yea when i tried to check mine the only way i could see it was with a high powered flashlight and i still could just barley make out the coolant through the sight check even with the flashlight | ||
| Bob_thompson |
Hey guys, Not wanting to fix a problem that does not exist, but I'm wondering if it would be easier to see, without much trouble, with a little red or green food or fabric dye added to the solution. Being a 50-50 solution with water it should mix fine and I do not think the dye would attack the aluminum jackets or fittings. I would like someone from the factory to respond if you care to. Bob | ||
| Metalstorm |
For what it's worth, The coolant at the dealer (the stuff for the Vrod which I understand Buell recommends for the 1125)is a redish orange tint so I'm thinking over time after enough top offs, the coolant will get a tint to it. It would require a lot of patience though. | ||
| Jedipunk |
Bob, I was thinking of the dye idea too but I was worried it might actually color the coolant tank and make the sight window useless. | ||
| Ratbuell |
I wouldn't worry about coating the tank with color, but doesn't food dye have sugar in it? | ||
| Bob_thompson |
I believe Tom (Metalstorm) has the correct answer if its really a big issue: i.e. just refill with the colored coolant for the V-rod or maybe just some colored aftermarket stuff from Walmart. Couldn't cost very much and a small service to the bike. Should not void the warranty. | ||
| Blake |
Does anyone else find the existence of this thread on BadWeB just a little humorous? | ||
| Dbird29 |
The danger of not just staying with air cooled motors! Anti-freeze threads. | ||
| Budo |
You actually need to be a bit carefull on the flavor of antifreeze that you put in a bike. It has been awhile but I think that I remember that the silicate in the antifreeze would damage water pump bearings or seals or something. Go with whatever is recommended for the V-rod or for a Rotax motor | ||
| Ccryder |
Blake: I never thought I would hear that word uttered on this board either. Speaking of a paradigm shift! Just blew that old world thinking right off the flat earth! TIme2Work Neil S. | ||
| Jammin_joules |
The danger of not just staying with air cooled motors! Anti-freeze threads. It had to come.  Next will be 6-th gear issues, hydraulic clutch banging, slipper clutch sliding and all sorts of rider environmental concerns. Surely this is rock bottom.  If not, then I guess it will take a unique individual to come up with a thread that everyone can stand behind.  | ||
| Jammin_joules |
The crux is that it has six torx screws that take a little time to remove just to quickly check the anitfreeze level in the overfill container. I'm thinking of replacing the six torx screws with a 1/4 turn Duzs connector. Donutclub, Maybe checking fluid level and maintaining it will become an issue that mere coloration of the fluid will not solve. I hope this is not the case. If you can be a little thick skinned, and realize, I am usually the last to try and stifle creativity, but being clever at this early stage of the game may be premature. Plus, I know the shrouds are part of the insurance institutes recommendations to keep costs down should the bike slide along the pavement one day. Your changes of the fasteners just may not pass muster. Minimum, one such equiped bikes should be crash tested. Volunteers?  | ||
| Doerman |
Not me! That's fer sure | ||
| Buellborn |
Jammin_joules Posted on Monday, December 17, 2007 - 06:11 pm: ............ Plus, I know the shrouds are part of the insurance institutes recommendations.......... ________________________________________ I was told the Insurance companies helped with the design of the scoops to prevent theft. | ||
| Spatten1 |
Theft of antifreeze? | ||
| Buellborn |
No. Theft of the bike. | ||
| Jammin_joules |
I was told the Insurance companies helped with the design of the scoops to prevent theft. Who ever told you probably mixed up the on-board security on every bike and the functional, multi-purpose (a Buell mantra) use of teh shrouds; route air over radiators, low center of mass by their split design, and effective sliders for crashes. The latter keeps repair costs down, an insurance red flag. These were things told to us at the track event and in the sales-assist literature the dealers get. How the shroud design prevents theft is beyond me. I could be wrong, but I doubt it.  ~jammer | ||
| No_rice |
he ment theft of the bike because of the way the scoops look. as in they are a theft deterent themselves on looks alone. | ||
| Jammin_joules |
as in they are a theft deterent themselves on looks alone This from a guy who probably hasn't like Buells to begin with, maybe? I mean, if it is not a air cooled big twin with lotsa chrome.... Just remember, for every person that dislikes red motorcycles, there is one who loves them. The style of the 1125r, especially as a package, has turned a lot of heads on the sales floor already. And most are towards it, not away. To each his own. ~jammer | ||
| Xb9 |
From my past experience with water cooled bikes, none have lost enough coolant to warrant checking more than once or twice a year at the most. What I'm getting at is maybe we are being concerned with something that is actually contrived - I mean how ofter do you plan on checking coolant level? | ||
| Donutclub |
Jammin, I love the images.........where the heck did you get all of these? More than likely checking the coolant isn't going to be a very common task (as pointed out). I noticed that it was difficult to see while performing my initial fluid checks for the new bike. I generally check all fluid levels on any new bike before I ride it. I'm always looking for solutions to problems that I encounter, I guess that's a side effect of being an Engineer. The window on the inside of the scoop was a good idea, but I'm having trouble seeing the coolant. Maybe I have bad eyes, but I think removing the pod is the only way to check the coolant properly. Since I'm satisfied with the check, I'll probably refrain from checking it for quite a while...........at least until the next track day when I change it over to water anyway.  | ||
| Zac4mac |
Might be able to add a bit of Fluorescein. Don't think it would cause any problems, it's water soluble. Just a few grains would make the whole tank look like mercurochrome. It's used in dye lasers and marine markers. I once scattered a few crystals on my driveway and my dad stood there with the hose for an hour trying to wash it away. Z |
