QuestionQUESTION: Hi I have a 1985 Honda Shadow VT500c that does not like the cold days here in San Diego California (yes I know it doesn't get that cold here). I warm my bike up in the garage for 10 to 15 mins and ride 10 miiles on surface streets. Its about 30 to 40 degrees in the morning. My bike goes from nice operating temp to its warming up temp in about a mile at 45MPH. If I roll back on the throttle hard it sputters. Ive noticed that there is always radiator fluid in my reserve tank, even if when I started there was no radiator fluid in the reserve tank. When I ride in the afternoon where it is 60 or 70 the bike runs just awesome, very little sputtering, I really have to slam on it hard. The bike is do for a valve adjustment and a tune up.
I hope I made this clear for you to read and hope you can give me some good ideas. This bike is my only means of transport and I want to make her ride better and last forever.
ANSWER: Dustin,
as the bike warms up the coolant expands,
that's why they have the reserve/overflow
tank. It is possible your thermostat
could be faulty or stuck. If it was stuck closed
the bike would overheat, if it is stuck open
or partially open it may cool down quickly
when driving.
-The radiator cap may be weak and allowing
coolant to push out into the reserve tank
before it should.
Hondas like to be warm ;)
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thanks very much. It does great when it was hot but cold days just kill it. Is there a way to fix/un-stick an open thermostat? or check if the radiator cap is weak? Everything is stock so it wont surprise me.
AnswerDustin,
it isn't worth trying to fix a thermostat,
they don't cost that much.
Same with the rad cap. Some places
used to test rad caps but probably
don't bother much anymore.
Better just to replace them
if your temperature is not
reading correctly.
Get back to me if you need more info.
You could richen the fuel mixture
by raising the carb needles slightly
but if it runs okay warm I wouldn't
bother.
