Coolant Bottle Question
03-03-2014, 07:29 AM
#1
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Coolant Bottle Question
Hey guys... Looking for some advice on this.
Just noticed a drop of icky colored fluid under the bike. Traced it back up to the lower nipple of the coolant reservoir, where a drip is suspended at the connection of the hose and the plastic nipple.
Not sure if I just need to tighten everything/get a new hose, or if there is a crack.
#1 Has anyone found a nicer looking coolant bottle to swap from another bike? Something low profile, and easily hidden? (not necessarily aluminum)
#2 Is the location/height of the stock coolant bottle important in its functioning properly?
James
Just noticed a drop of icky colored fluid under the bike. Traced it back up to the lower nipple of the coolant reservoir, where a drip is suspended at the connection of the hose and the plastic nipple.
Not sure if I just need to tighten everything/get a new hose, or if there is a crack.
#1 Has anyone found a nicer looking coolant bottle to swap from another bike? Something low profile, and easily hidden? (not necessarily aluminum)
#2 Is the location/height of the stock coolant bottle important in its functioning properly?
James
03-03-2014, 08:23 AM
#2
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Mine is hanging out where the right radiator used to be (it's the coffee cup looking thing), and it is piped all the way from the rear of the tail where the fill cap is currently and it works just fine.
03-03-2014, 02:09 PM
#3
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a couple of men over here have used the honda hrc coolant bottle
Genuine HRC Honda Racing Overflow Expansion Catch Tank Radiator Water Bottle | eBay
Genuine HRC Honda Racing Overflow Expansion Catch Tank Radiator Water Bottle | eBay
03-05-2014, 08:34 PM
#7
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Anyone ever thought about using a front brake reservoir, maybe mounted inside the frame on the right side, near the carbs by the original bottle?
Could easily put a barb in the lid for a vent.
Could mount it on the frame, kinda like the choke **** on the left side, mounted with one bolt...
Any thoughts about this?
James
Could easily put a barb in the lid for a vent.
Could mount it on the frame, kinda like the choke **** on the left side, mounted with one bolt...
Any thoughts about this?
James
03-06-2014, 07:40 AM
#8
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I think Kai Ju used a VTR250 Interceptor coolant tank in the stock location when he did his undertail radiator. Essentially it's a similar height and width as the stock one, but about 2/3 the length. Maybe something like that would give you enough room to fiddle with the carbs. It's not going to give you that "see through the frame" look, but if it fits it would be well hidden.
I would be hesitant about something as small as a brake reservoir. I'm pretty sure there is more expansion going on then that between hot and cold...
I would be hesitant about something as small as a brake reservoir. I'm pretty sure there is more expansion going on then that between hot and cold...
Last edited by 7moore7; 03-06-2014 at 07:42 AM.
03-06-2014, 05:39 PM
#9
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Good response! That's the info i need to know, how much coolant is really moving through the bottle.
Anyone have anymore info on the vtr250 coolant bottle? I will try pm'ing that member.
James
Anyone have anymore info on the vtr250 coolant bottle? I will try pm'ing that member.
James
03-06-2014, 09:36 PM
#10
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03-06-2014, 10:02 PM
#11
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I was just looking at this. You're right, there is limited room to get at the fuel screws, especially for guys like me with rather large hands. That VTR250 coolant bottle is a nice option. Cheap too!
Another option that I was thinking of doing, was cutting the stock bottle down and plastic welding it back together.
Just had another thought, what about mounting the stock bottle between the fairing and frame? Not sure if there is enough room, if any at all. Will have to play around with that.
Another option that I was thinking of doing, was cutting the stock bottle down and plastic welding it back together.
Just had another thought, what about mounting the stock bottle between the fairing and frame? Not sure if there is enough room, if any at all. Will have to play around with that.
03-06-2014, 10:25 PM
#12
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I am working on a solution, will post up when completed. Likely there are no two solutions that will utilize the same material or location. Just another reason why making it your own is half the fun.
03-06-2014, 11:15 PM
#13
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Just took another quick look, and there is enough room to attach a coolant bottle (cylinder or rectangle) onto the end of the right side radiator. I think I'm going to weld up a tank and go this route. As with Upland, I'll post pictures too.
03-07-2014, 06:00 AM
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Kai Ju may not be that responsive... he sold his VTR two years ago and build the bike like 7 years ago so I'm not sure if he's still around.
I'm not even 100% sure it was him that pointed out the coolant tank to me. I bought the bottle but the way I routed my hoses I couldn't get it to fit (a stock hose routing would fit I think).
Companies build a margin of safety into their overflow bottle, but I doubt using something less than 1/10th the size like a brake reservoir is big enough. Maybe something 1/3 the size...
I'm not even 100% sure it was him that pointed out the coolant tank to me. I bought the bottle but the way I routed my hoses I couldn't get it to fit (a stock hose routing would fit I think).
Companies build a margin of safety into their overflow bottle, but I doubt using something less than 1/10th the size like a brake reservoir is big enough. Maybe something 1/3 the size...
Last edited by 7moore7; 03-07-2014 at 06:05 AM.
03-07-2014, 06:03 AM
#15
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The trouble with the vtr250 bottle option is they are a discontinued part, and they were made in 1990. That means they are 10 years older than our superhawk bottles that are cracking. Seems like they will be even more prone to failure...
It would be great if someone found an OEM looking version of a coolant bottle, aluminum or plastic, and we could find a "hiding place" for it.
James
It would be great if someone found an OEM looking version of a coolant bottle, aluminum or plastic, and we could find a "hiding place" for it.
James
03-07-2014, 06:23 AM
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The trouble with the vtr250 bottle option is they are a discontinued part, and they were made in 1990. That means they are 10 years older than our superhawk bottles that are cracking. Seems like they will be even more prone to failure...
It would be great if someone found an OEM looking version of a coolant bottle, aluminum or plastic, and we could find a "hiding place" for it.
James
It would be great if someone found an OEM looking version of a coolant bottle, aluminum or plastic, and we could find a "hiding place" for it.
James
Or how about one of these? All they need is for the entrance hose to go to the bottom, or connect to something that does, and some kind of vent.
03-07-2014, 07:58 AM
#17
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That Nagale bottle is a pretty cool option. We use those for camping and they have never leaked.
I think I'm holding out for something that looks a little more OEM Honda-ish...
Keep the ideas coming, this is a great thread!
James
I think I'm holding out for something that looks a little more OEM Honda-ish...
Keep the ideas coming, this is a great thread!
James
03-07-2014, 09:10 AM
#18
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Why on earth would you want it to look OEM? Those Honda penny pinching regulation following engineers wouldn't know cool if it rode up to them on a dry clutch and slapped them with a straight exhaust! Go against the grain! Whisky flask! Use some aluminum beer can as a shim for your BMW! If you have the gumption to see the beauty of materials as they are and not as some overseas professional labeled them, that is!
03-07-2014, 10:22 AM
#19
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I don't drink... So the beer can and whiskey flask idea is out.
I'm open to some other awesome ideas though, like aluminum.
I want it to be nearly invisible. Like ya know it's there, but it blends in so well it doesn't catch your eye.
James
03-07-2014, 10:35 AM
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03-07-2014, 11:44 AM
#23
Rex Kramer-Thrill Seeker
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How about these OEM ones James? They all seem small enough to hide behind the fairing. I'm thinking of picking up the Ruckus bottle (would save me some time from making a custom one)
-'09 Honda Ruckus
-'92-'96 BMW K1100RS
-Marauder VZ800
-'09 Honda Ruckus
-'92-'96 BMW K1100RS
-Marauder VZ800
03-08-2014, 12:14 PM
#28
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Looking at the space available again (next to the right side radiator, between the fairing & frame seems to be the easiest spot) and looking at the three that I posted above, I think that the BMW coolant bottle will work better than the one off the Ruckus. The BMW bottle seems to be thinner and hold more fluid than the Ruckus.
Riding season is almost here in these parts. Somebody on a crotch rocket was on HWY 94 yesterday (45F).
Let me look around a bit more to make sure this is the best option I can come up with. If it is, I'll buy the BMW one on Monday
Riding season is almost here in these parts. Somebody on a crotch rocket was on HWY 94 yesterday (45F).
Let me look around a bit more to make sure this is the best option I can come up with. If it is, I'll buy the BMW one on Monday
03-08-2014, 03:14 PM
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03-20-2014, 02:02 PM
#30
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Well guys, after looking around, I found the best option was the BMW coolant bottle that I linked to in post #23. I just bought it earlier today for 14 bucks, which is not bad at all
It should be here sometime next week. I'll take a couple pictures and show the installation.
It should be here sometime next week. I'll take a couple pictures and show the installation.
