Motorcycle Repair: motorcycle repair, coolant tank, coolant temp

Question
hi chris i own a kwaka zzr600 96 model i have a problem with what i think is the coolant tank located at the rear of the motorcycle on the right once i get off the bike there is a leak which drips greenish fluid down on to the exhaust can and when im stopped in traffic the temprature goes to the top very quickly but once moving it goes back down could you let me know what you think and how i would go about finding a blockage thanx...

Answer
Hi Mitch.
 The problem is not with your coolant recovery tank, but with the system itself.

Since the coolant temp comes down when you move, but up when you stop, you could have one of two problems.

1)  Cooling fan has failed.  Could be a bad connection, a short, blown fuse or bad fan.

2)  Bad water pump.

The fact that the coolant temp goes down while moving indicates that the thermostat is not the problem here.  Neither is there any other blockage.

If you are not certain of the cooling fan, then put the bike on the centerstand and run it for a bit (at idle) and see if you can see it come on or hear it come on (at idle, the fan should come on after a few minutes).  If it doesn't come on by the time the temp begins to get too hot, then shut the bike down and you've found your problem.

If the cooling fan comes on when it should, then the problem is with the water pump.

Good luck.
FALCON