Coolant and Oil

[pjrocco]

So as I drive my 84' 500 more and more, I'm noticing more issues. I took her out yesterday in 80 degree weather and every time I hit a red light the temp went almost all the way to the top. The fan was coming on but not until the temp gauge was 3/4 of the way to red. Is this normal? Where should the temp gauge be normally? 1/2 while riding? 3/4 when sitting? Looks like the last owner used only water with no antifreeze. Does water cool better than antifreeze? Should I drain the system and do only distilled water or a mixture?

I'm about to do any oil change since I have no clue when it was done last, but I'm getting mixed information if I should go standard or synthetic. The bike has 43,000 on her so I think synthetic is the way to go. Opinions on that? I did a search and I see a lot of mixed feeling on here as well.

[chsherbie]

I just got my VF500 home today. Ive driven it about 60 miles and it seems to run about 1/2 way when driving and at lights it will get up to about 3/4 before the fan kicks on.

[Bubba Zanetti]

Whatever you can afford my friend.

If you only have the nickels for standard oil, that's fine...

And no water does not cool any better than anti-freeze.

If you don't know the last time the coolant was changed you may want to pick up a gollon of that too! They sell it already mixed 50/50.

BZ

[derstuka]

Originally Posted by pjrocco

So as I drive my 84' 500 more and more, I'm noticing more issues. I took her out yesterday in 80 degree weather and every time I hit a red light the temp went almost all the way to the top. The fan was coming on but not until the temp gauge was 3/4 of the way to red. Is this normal? Where should the temp gauge be normally? 1/2 while riding? 3/4 when sitting? Looks like the last owner used only water with no antifreeze. Does water cool better than antifreeze? Should I drain the system and do only distilled water or a mixture?

I'm about to do any oil change since I have no clue when it was done last, but I'm getting mixed information if I should go standard or synthetic. The bike has 43,000 on her so I think synthetic is the way to go. Opinions on that? I did a search and I see a lot of mixed feeling on here as well.

I don't own a bike like yours, and some bikes do like to run hot I know. As long as it was not in the red, you should be ok. To answer your coolant question. Yes, water does disspate heat faster than plain old antifreeze. That is why many riders (in warmer climates) use just plain distilled (or de-ionized water is even better, less impurities) and water wetter. Plain water has a reduced surface tension to release heat than just antifreeze does, and that is what Water Wetter (made by Redline) does to water...it reduces the surface tension of the water, and allows it to dissipate heat faster than just plain water. Antifreeze prevents your cooling system from freezing over, increases the boiling point of water, prevents corrosion, as well as helping lubricate your water pump. If you use antifreeze, be sure it is silicate-free.....regular car anti-freeze usually has silicates in it, and in your bikes motor, this can damage internal seals and such. I also do not recommend just running plain water without at least water wetter in it. It also helps to prevent corrosion as well. Engine Ice is sold at most bike shops, and is good stuff. It does not freeze over as well, which a bike with just water & water wetter in it will do in freezing temps.

On oil, just buy a good quality brand name, and change it at regular intervals. If you run synthetic, be sure that it does not have friction modifiers in it (Teflon is one) which will reduce your clutch to a useless pile of plates. Use a wet clutch safe/motorcycle specific oil if you are unsure.

[Bubba Zanetti]

I guess I stand corrected by Derstuka!

[WhiteKnight]

stuka is a smart cookie. Yes, you can use synth oil if you can afford it. Regular dino oil will work just fine too, just remember to get oil that does not have friction reducing additives cause those are not good for your clutch. You can add water wetter to your cooling system or flush it and put in a 50/50 mix of water and anti-freeze. At one time, you could just by an additive that was mixed in coolant/anti-freeze (glycol?) and add it to your cooling system and help it run cooler. I guess water wetter work on the same principle and I think is more environmentally safe.