[Aenygma]

Ok, if we recall there was a thread a little while back someone wrote about the temps they were seeing sometimes. (as high as 6 bars)

Well, I had never even seen 5 bars and I live in central Texas. Yesterday I was out riding was 95 degrees out. I had to stop at a RR crossing for a long time, and decided to turn the bike off. As soon as I turned it off the temp gauge went all the way up to the top!! Then went back down to 4 and the fan came on.


Tonight I went riding with my wife, and when we pulled in the temp gauge read 3 bars, as soon as I turned it off it went all the way up to maximum again, but this timed stayed there. Fan came on, but I freaked out, turned the bike back on, temp went back down to 3 bars and I rode it a bit. Pulled back in turned it off, went to 4 bars fan came on, cooled it, and then it went off.

Should I be concerned here?? (Cause... I AM!!)


Second Question:
This is kind of personal I suppose but just to get an idea, where do you people set your preload to, and how much do you weigh? I have mine set to 4 and I weigh 197lbs. I pushed it up to 5 tonight though.

Thanks

 

[virtualt]

Ok, if we recall there was a thread a little while back someone wrote about the temps they were seeing sometimes. (as high as 6 bars)

Well, I had never even seen 5 bars and I live in central Texas. Yesterday I was out riding was 95 degrees out. I had to stop at a RR crossing for a long time, and decided to turn the bike off. As soon as I turned it off the temp gauge went all the way up to the top!! Then went back down to 4 and the fan came on.


Tonight I went riding with my wife, and when we pulled in the temp gauge read 3 bars, as soon as I turned it off it went all the way up to maximum again, but this timed stayed there. Fan came on, but I freaked out, turned the bike back on, temp went back down to 3 bars and I rode it a bit. Pulled back in turned it off, went to 4 bars fan came on, cooled it, and then it went off.

Should I be concerned here?? (Cause... I AM!!)


Second Question:
This is kind of personal I suppose but just to get an idea, where do you people set your preload to, and how much do you weigh? I have mine set to 4 and I weigh 197lbs. I pushed it up to 5 tonight though.

Thanks

When you switch off the motor the water pump stops circulating the water around the engine. That means the water will remain around the water jacket and the temp will rise considerably.
As soon as you trun the motor back on the water circulates and therefore lowers the temp, the fan kicks in because it it set to do so when 4 bars show.

Not a problem, however, you may want to consider some other forms coolant if you are doing that on a regular basis.
Some that come to mind are Water Wetter and Engine Ice, also Maximas Coolanol.

I run Water Wetter in my FZ6 as it is allowed at most race tracks as regular anti freeze is not, even for track days you have to drain the anti freeze and replace it.

Hope this helps,

Skippy

 

[Aenygma]

Yes I do understand what you are saying, but I shut the bike off with only 3 bars showing tonight. I have never since purchasing (FEB 14th) ever see it jump all the way up to maximum. It would always either stay at the 3, or maybe go to 4 and fan would come on for a minute.

Also, what about the preload? (Though I am Super Concerned about this temp question, and paranoid now)

Thanks.

 

[kdk1899]

Water Wetter is the shit!!! I weight about 150 adverage and use the normal middle setting. If i got a girlfriend on the back i click it up 2 notches.

 

[sparky8844]

i started out on 5...then switched to 6 and really like that setting...im 6ft3 235

 

[Epee]

I'm 6' 220lb athletic

I got this bike to "do it all" really hard back road riding, go out with the club and put on a couple of hundred, take the girl cruising the boulevard.

Hard riding twisties.........6 or 7, keep it stiff and responsive!
My girl is only 88lbs so 4 or 5 depending on how far/bumpy our trek?
easy going highway stuff 3,4 depending on how many miles.

Do worry about the temp if you're constantly in the 8k and above rpm and pull up to a non ventilated stop and sit then turn it off.

I learned everything I've ever needed to know about temps with my twin turbo. Water wetter, turbo timers, ice on the intake before the race, etc.

I-4's can dissepate heat fairly well, especially our naked design. One rule.... if you're running hard (high rpm's consistantly) before you shut it down give it some easy running at more than stop and go traffic speed, movement just helps the liquid cool with some air cool. Shutting down with it cooling down from 5 to 4 bars will not blow your radiator hose off. I would only hesitate shutting off the ignition (the fan goes then too) at five or six showing while moving.

 

[FZ6]

I use water-wetter also ~70/30 mix, and it seems to run about 10 degrees cooler. Sounds as though Skippy is running straight water though, which will get better cooling but provides no freezing protection. Also, being hot as freshly crapped poo poo here I have thought about straight wiring the fan to come on when the ignition comes on. What I really wish is there were some way to adjust the thermostat to switch on before it gets THAT hot. To appease my laziness I usually just leave the ignition on for a few minutes (not motor) after a ride which allows the fan to come on when it hits four bars.

Anyway, from the temperature thread a while back it sounded as though the temp guage was measuring air intake temperature and not coolant temperature? That dosent sound like very useful information if your engine is potentially overheating?

 

[firefighter81]

Got a question for you guys. I use water wetter + distilled water in my bikes, always have, always will. I'm just wondering, do you trust distilled water you get at the grocery store, lately that's been my only source, so I've been forced to buy it from there. Any opinions?

 

[Jared1]

How do you adjust the preload? I've never even heard of it but I am new to this.

Oh and I noticed last night after crusing around town when I stopped and shut it down then turned the key on the temp was up all the way. I now know to let it run for a bit. Thanks

 

[FazeX]

I'm 5'10", about 180, and my preload is on 4. Feels much better than 3, more responsive, less bouncy. And I am able to get my feet flat on the ground with an otherwise stock setup.

-J

 

[bugduc]

Just FYI:
With my Power Commander installed, the bike runs noticeably cooler than stock. I have a CA model, so I'm sure it's even leaner than the 49 state model, but now cooler nonetheless.

 

[Aenygma]

Here is why I got very worried last night...

It was not very hot out (85 degrees) We rode for about an hour, and nothing was very hard riding... A nice mix of highway and street riding. Probablly the toughest part on the engine was towards the start of the ride, when we looked at some new houses and were in 1st gear a lot.

In the middle of the ride we stopped at a McDonalds, and got something to drink. *It didn't get hot when I shut down.* Then rode home.

We came home and like I said it was on 3 coming into our street, I shut it down and Bamn right up to 6 bars. So I freaked out.

**I always keep the key in the on position when I shut down for a bit, in case the fan needs to come on... It usually doesn't**

Jared: The way to adjust the pre-load is with that little wrench that came with your tools. I do it from the left side of the bike you put the wrench on the notches over the rear shock and turn it counter clockwise to increase, and clockwise to decrease. There are 2 dots if you look close and numbers from 1-7. You set it to whichever one you wish. 1 = the softest... 7 = the firmest.

 

[FAZR6]

I don't recomend this for general riding purposes, but as I've mentioned before, if you want to pull off EASY wheelies, try the number 1 setting. It is very dangerous in a corner though as the front end will get VERY light during even the slightest acceleration. It's fun though if you are playing around in a straight line. I'm currently using #5 and pretty happy with it. I'm about 155 lbs. May go back down a notch to 4.

 

[fraggle1]

Why leave the fan on after the engine is shut off? It might cool the water in the radiator, but without the water pump spinning, that cool water isn't going anywhere. I wouldn't be surprised if the coolant temperature spikes after the engine shuts off since it isn't circulating anymore.

I use setting #4 for me, and I'm about 155lbs. Stiffer isn't necessarily better in the corners. You need to have enough sag so that your suspension can keep the tire in contact with the road when the shock extends, not just during compression.

Anthony

 

[Aenygma]

You know that's a good point fraggle. (I am just so paranoid and anal... I mean I should probably not mention sometimes I hit the engine with the air blower after a ride to help it cool, cause I would get made fun of I am sure... oops lol)

Hey, how's your bike doing? I heard you had a little mishap about a month ago. Sorry to hear about it.

-Eddie

 

[fraggle1]

I won't tell anyone about the blower... Now that I think about it, though, the fan blowing air over the engine (even hot air) might provide a little bit of cooling. So it may actually be doing something.

My bike is doing great so far. No mishap for me (that I can remember at least) unless you count not being able to ride as much as I want to... We still need to get the Austin area FZ6'ers together for a ride sometime.

Cheers,
Anthony

edit: Now that I think about it, I posted about a local guy I was riding with going down at a water crossing. He's doing fine. A couple of $15 pegs later, and his bike was as good as, well, used.

 

[FZ6]

I won't tell anyone about the blower... Now that I think about it, though, the fan blowing air over the engine (even hot air) might provide a little bit of cooling. So it may actually be doing something.

...I knew you would come around eventually.

 

[charlieoneseven]

Jared, when you have the seat off next time open the tool kit and there are 2 things you'll need. one allen key to remove the screw holding the left side cover and the big hook shaped tool. the side cover is also held by 2 rubber grommets but a firm pull on the cover and they will let go after the screw is out. then slip the tool in the slot until it catches the side notch in the shock. With a hard pull the collar will click to the next position.

 

[Hippie]

Should the bike be on the centerstand w/ the rear wheel off the ground to adjust the rear shock (is it easier) or does it not matter...

Any pro's vs. con's on firming up the rear ??

 

[winind]

I take it easy the last 5 miles or so to my house. I lazily cruise in a high gear at about 35 mph and blip the throttle a little. This is my cool down period. I believe doing so drops the engine temperature because there is less friction and load on the motor. However, bike is going fast enough for the radiator to be effective. Then I click in neutral and roll onto the driveway and let it idle for about two minutes while I undo my helmet and jacket.

Engine is still hot, but I have never seen all bars lit up. What people are seeing are transient temperatures (local conditions). Keep the engine running and the coolant will be well mixed throughout the cooling system, which includes an oil cooler. Radiators are heat exchangers: They work best with turbulent flows. If you just shut off the motor there is no water circulation you could see local hot spots. Mechanical devices function best with steady state flows and temperatures. try this if your out of coolant and stuck isson