[KC-10 FE]

This is my first attempt at a "How To" article. I'm not the best with a camera so bear with me. If I had someone else working with me, this would have probably been a better article. I completed this entire procedure with the bike on the center stand. I see no reason why you couldn't use the side stand.

Level Of Skill/Difficulty = 3 out of 10
Foul Language Level = Your Mother Would Roll Her Eyes
Time = Set Aside 2 Hours

Tools Required:
Honda Maintenance Manual
5 MM Allen Wrench
1/4" Ratchet
1/4" X 10 MM Socket
1/4" x 10" Extension
1/4" x 2" Extension
Needle Nose Pliers
Drain Pan
2 X New Copper Crush Washers
Your Choice Of Coolant
Distilled Water (If You Want To Completely Flush The Cooling System)




Step 1:
Remove The Right & Left Fairing Lowers
You will need a 5mm allen wrench & a stubby phillips


Step 2:
Remove the Radiator Cap & Remove The Water Pump Drain Bolt.
You will need a 10mm socket. As you can see, it is directly to the left of the shifter. Be careful, when I pulled the bolt, it shot coolant over 3 feet away.


Step 3:
Remove The Engine Block Coolant Drain Bolt
You will need a 10mm socket with a universal joint & extension. This is by far the most difficult part of this process. The bolt is located directly above the oil filter. It is the only bolt that looks like it's out of place. Every other bolt in the vicinity are in pairs, left & right.


Step 4:
Remove The Overflow Bottle
You will need a 10mm socket for the bolts & needle nose pliers for the hose. Clean & flush the bottle. I needed to scrub some accumulated filth out of mine.


If You Are Using Regular Green Coolant, Go To Step 8.

Step 5:
Replace Both Bolts & Fill System With Distilled Water

Step 6:
Start Engine & Allow To Reach Operating Temperature

(I flushed the system twice, just because I could)

Step 7:
Remove Water Pump Drain & Engine Drain Bolts Again

Step 8:
Replace Engine Drain & Water Pump Drain Bolts (remove & replace the copper crush washers)
The manual does not specify a torque. I just tightened by feel & checked to make sure I had no leaks.

Step 9:
Fill The Coolant System
I used Engine Ice since it's advertised to lower operating temps & is track approved. Green coolant is not track approved for anything over beginner. I used this funnel with a hose on the bottom. As long as you have steady aim, you could probably do this with no funnel.




Step 10:
Start The Engine & Check For Leaks
Allow the system to come up to normal temp, making sure the thermostat opens. The manual says to blip the throttle several times to remove air. If you see bubble in the overflow bottle, you got the air out.

Step 11:
Top Off Coolant In Overflow Bottle If Necessary

Step 12:
Replace Fairing Lowers

Step 13:
Ride Bike

KC-10 FE out...