Coolant and other related stuff that I come up with.

[HavocCat]

I have alot of questions coming up that I am not quite sure of.

My Armorbodies are going to show up tomorrow, and while I have the bike apart, I'm planning on flushing my coolant and replacing it. What is everyone using to replace their coolant? I'm not a huge fan of water, not for the performance of it, but moreover I am concerned that it will have a detrimental effect to the water jacket and cooling system in general eventually i.e. rust, and or whatever happens to aluminum.

I read the rider manual again that stated Evans type coolants are not permitted. My engine builder suggested water wetter, but I have no idea what that is.

TLDR; What does everyone replace their coolant with?

 

[Otto Man]

Water wetter.

http://www.amazon.com/Red-Line-8020...8&qid=1417573692&sr=8-1&keywords=water+wetter

If your garage is not heated, I would keep anti-freeze in it. A cracked block would not be a fun winter time project.

My garage is detached from the house, so I drained the water wetter and put 50/50 anti freeze in it for the winter. I was surprised to see some sediment while running the bike without the radiator cap (Getting the air pockets out of the system). I found this odd because I change the water every spring like clock work, using only distilled water. It hasn't had anti-freeze in two years (since I bought it), so I'm wondering if keeping anti freeze in it over the winter and running it around the neighborhood in the spring will help get rid of some of that crap when it gets flushed in the spring.

 

[Otto Man]

While you got the bike all apart, you might as well go ahead and safety wire it to tech requirements for "A" group. Would really suck if you got bumped to "A" group, but your bike wasn't ready. Plus it's never a bad thing to have a safety wired bike and not run coolant...regardless of whatever group you ride in.

 

[HavocCat]

Yeah Otto thats the plan. I'll have a bike prepped for A group this year just in case the bump happens. Though I'm not ready for it, I may be later in the year.

Ordered a ton of parts on black friday got some pretty sweet deals. Normally 580 dollar Bell Helmet, got it for 280.

I'll take some pictures when my parts pile arrives.

 

[HavocCat]

Also, I am going to use this thread while I attach stuff in case I come up with questions. Feel free to check back daily

 

[HondaGalToo]

Agree with the above...Water Wetter mixed with distilled water for the track. Auto parts stores sometimes carry it, as do bike shops. Or online. Follow the directions...it's 3-4 capfuls of Water Wetter to a quart of distilled water. (Seriously, I've heard of folks dumping the bottle in straight. More is not better). When flushing, you'll need to do that 4-5 times or till the water coming out is clear. I pull the lower hoses off the bottom of the engine on the side on my gixxer. Run it up to temp (about 180) to allow the thermostat to open to get all the antifreeze circulated, turn off, empty, repeat. Let the engine cool before dumping in cold water. Repeat till clear; fill with the Water Wetter mix. It contains surfactants and has some anti-corrosion properties, I think. It IS NOT antifreeze, so you'll need to dump it in the winter and put in 50/50 antifreeze. Or bring the bike in the house!

 

[HavocCat]

My bike camps happily in my house for the cold months. Seeing as I don't currently have a significant other, the ol' GSXR takes that role.

 

[HondaGalToo]

I wish I had a way to get mine in, or a way to heat my garage. As I can't do either, back in goes the antifreeze in winter. Convenient you can leave it in year round. I'd replace at least every other year, like antifreeze. Maybe more frequently.

 

[Motofun352]

Another thing to be aware of is just how difficult it is to get rid of all the air pockets in the system. Lean the bike fully over (get a big friend to help). Rock it side to side, several times. Do this especially when flushing the anti-freeze put to replace it with water in the spring. A quart, or more can be added once the air is fully removed. Also, consider using bottled spring water instead of distilled water. Distilled water has been reported to actually rob Aluminum and other ions in order to reach equilibrium, whereas the spring water already has a sufficient quantity of these ions in solution.

 

[HavocCat]

Frankenbike is done! A couple 6 hour days plugging away at it and shes done. I must say, it looked horrible to me at first, but every time I walk away and come back and look at it, it looks better every time.

 

[Slow Steve]

Ok, how the hell do you keep your garage so clean? Mine looks like I'm ready for an episode of Hoarders.

 

[Otto Man]

I wouldn't be able to work in your garage without my head exploding Steve. LOL!

 

[HavocCat]

I have an OCD about neatness. It sucks sometimes...

 

[Lenny ZX9R]

Looks good Chris! Now Paint?

 

[HavocCat]

Did 5 hours of sanding today, base/clear going on tomorrow!

 

[HondaGalToo]

Nice!!!

 

[HavocCat]

Off to paint, and base layers complete!

I love this white, its very bright. Had to do a tiny bit of fill work on the outside of the tank where a couple of dings were, but they cleaned up very well. Hopefully tomorrow some color will go on, then clear, then back on the bike. Stay tuned for more!

 

[HavocCat]

Made some progress the last few days. Masked and painted the black, then went back today and laid out and painted the red. This painting stuff is overrated.

 

[HavocCat]

In case anyone is following this, heres some progress shots. Have not had alot of time to work on it recently, but shes coming together. Don't worry about that plain looking upper, I have plans

 

[kappy1000]

looks Great!