Coolant flush process

[maximNikenGT]

Thought I'd start a thread on how to change the coolant on your Niken. According to the manual coolant should be changed every three years so this will be a first for my 2019 Niken GT. Manual illustrates the procedure as follows. 

 

I'll add photos of my actual experience as I perform the replacement.

Anyone happen to have the part code for the new washer/gasket needed for the coolant drain bolt?

[texscottyd]

Thanks @maximNikenGT - This further validates my theory that the factory service manuals actually discourage people from doing their own maintenance.  At first glance, that's three pages of details that look intimidating as hell..... The exploded parts diagram is an especially nice touch.

But once you read through it and process the content, it's super easy:

• remove radiator cap
• unbolt & flip over coolant tank to drain
• remove one drain bolt from water pump housing
• drain coolant
• reassemble in reverse order
• fill with coolant and ride

Good luck, and let us know how it goes. 

-Scott

[bwringer]

Agreed; it ain't hard.

Also, there's no need at all to "flush" the coolant. Just drain and refill on a vaguely reasonable schedule. Maybe rinse out the expansion tank if it seems a little crusty in there.

 

I will say that a long and/or flexible funnel can be super-useful for reaching the filler with a minimum amount of spillage. Not sure about the Niken specifically, but it's helpful on other bikes.

Edited February 3, 2023 by bwringer

[TomTracer]

No "burping" of the radiator required? That is always a pita.

[betoney]

1 hour ago, TomTracer said:

No "burping" of the radiator required? That is always a pita.

After filling or changing the coolant I have always ran the bike on the sidestand with the radiator cap off until it gets up to temp, the open filler neck is the highest point of the system allowing air to escape.  I have never encountered trapped air using that method.

Another thing I do is pour new coolant in S L O W L Y so it doesnt bubble and gurgle, air has time to escape as liquid is filling the system.

[knyte]

When I did my CP3 there was little to no chance of an air bubble.  Super straightforward process.

[TomTracer]

Jusr asking in case there is a problem. I do the slow fill as betoney did, no problem. My dl650 Wee Strom, with fully mt coolant system was a pita. And burp burp was necessary. 

[Heli ATP]

10 hours ago, maximNikenGT said:

Anyone happen to have the part code for the new washer/gasket needed for the coolant drain bolt?

It looks like #12 in the diagram...

Coolant drain plug on waterpump

[skipperT]

90430-06014-00 for the washer. 
same for all models and years (FJ/MT/T/FZ/Niken/XSR)

as Betoney mentioned, sidestand instead of center stand makes it easier to bleed out the air, but this bike isn’t known to be difficult. 
-Skip

[Ride365]

Rare to change on a car, so why on a motorcycle? 

[betoney]

1 hour ago, Ride365 said:

Rare to change on a car, so why on a motorcycle? 

A lot of autos recommend every 3 years /30,000 miles

[TomTracer]

How many of us follow that schedule on cars? Most I'd guess are more anal about our bikes.

[RaYzerman]

With today's modern long life coolants, every 5 years is plenty on a bike..... or at valve check time.  Just use common sense with the maintenance schedule and recognize some are revenue generators like the all-too-frequent spark plug changes......

[knyte]

I think owning a bike makes me maintain my cars MORE than I had previously.  After picking up a pnumatic brake flush kit, I do all of my vehicles now.  It's surprising how fast the fluid discolours from humidity.  Not sure I've ever done that unless I had to for some reason - never preventative, lol.  Coolant, too - I try to drain & replace ~5 years or so - never did that unless performing a thermostat swap out or something.  Every battery has a tender now - under the hood or on the bench.

I'd say owning bikes has made me a bit more cognizant of preventative maintanence and how easy it is.  It's cheaper to maintain something than rebuild or replace it.

[Ride365]

Brake fluid is hygroscopic so yes, but "scientifically" I am betting that coolant is more effective longer than we are told or realize. Many of use treat our bikes like they are made of glass, wonder why this is?