How do I add coolant to a motorcycle?

Question

My coolant reserve tank is empty on my Honda CBR... and I dont have time to trace the problem just now. So I am just going to pour some automotive 50/50 antifreeze thing into the coolant reserve tank and top it off.

So I'll warm up the bike a bit, poor the coolant through a funnel into the reserve tank till it hits the top line. Is there anything else I have to do?


Does the bike have to be at a certain temperature to add to/measure coolant level?
Even if I have to add a lot of coolant, is it ok to put it all into the reserve tank? Do I have to pour into the radiator?
How can I check how much coolant the bike has if the reserve tank is empty?
Is the coolant level measured on the sidestand or with the bike straight?

Thanks for the help...

Answer 1

All fluid levels should be check while the bike is straight up as if you were riding it. Some fluids need to be checked hot and others cool, look in your owners manual for which ones need to be checked how. If your coolant reserve bottle is empty, I would check to make sure the radiator is topped off when you add coolant to the reserve bottle, since the coolant is pulled from the reserve bottle using a vacuum, it will take a higher vacuum to pull water into an empty radiator then a full one, water is thicker then air and thus has a greater expansion and contraction range then air. Also if the radiator is bone dry, there could be engine damage. With the engine cool, check and fill the radiator, then fill the reserve bottle to the cold line, run the bike until warmed up and check the fluid level again.

Answer 2

Hi i would fill the radiator or atleast take the cap off & check it, if you can fill it up do so & replace the cap, then fill the reserve tank this can be done when the engine is cold.
SAFETY NOTE!!!!!
DO NOT RELEASE CAP IF ENGINE IS HOT !!!STEAM /HOT WATER BURNS
Then when the engine is warn look for leaks if there are no visual ones it may be internal, (head gasket - cracked water jacket ect.) if the engine oil is milky white I would say water is leaking around the head area, and you should see your local Honda dealer... without delay