It's getting to be Antifreeze time again!!

[towerworker]

It's been brought to my attention that I've been remiss in my duties to add a small bit of wisdom to some of the posts here on this fine forum.

I must offer my sincere apologies. Life has been busy for this old fart.

At any rate it's hot here in Virginia and some of us are longing for cooler days. Which brings to mind with cooler days brings the beautiful fall riding weather. Shortly thereafter "cool" turns to "cold"! With cold comes the pleasant task of "winterizing" the R. I'm starting to see sales in the local automotive stores for antifreeze. Would be a good time to stock up on a good brand of antifreeze for our beloved "R"s. As you all know the R's possess not one but "two" radiators. The "port" side radiator is responsible for cooling the "port" jug. The "starboard" radiator is of course responsible for cooling the "starboard" jug. Definition of "port" and "starboard" will be covered in another thread. It is of the utmost importance that the antifreeze used in the port radiator matches that of the starboard side. That one small distinction I was remiss in explaining in previous years. And as a result there were many catastrophic engine failures. For that bit of forgetfulness on my part I must offer my most sincere apology to all those who suffered those failures. "Coolant matching" is much akin to the Throttle Body Sync that we perform on our machines and is just as important if not more so. So to clarify---Use the same brand and mix in both radiators, along with the amount. Failure to do so will............., well, I really just don't want to go there again.

Ok, so now you have it. Mark it on your calendars. Winter will be here before you know it. You all can do your part to save your "Ta-Ta's"


Towerworker

[riceburner]

Cheers TW!! I always need this reminder to top up the coolant on my machine.

[swamper]

Aluminum, gotta change it every couple years.

[Arbreacames]

I do not recommend this operation as a DIY. There's a good reason why the Owner's manual, or even most Shop Manuals, do not explain operations such as the purge of coolant or ABS in any detail. If you don't purge the air from both jugs AT THE SAME RATE, there will be an unbalance in the cooling rate that can warp the engine block. My recommendation: find a mechanic who's done it many times before.

[CycleRob]

I actually have changed the AntiFreeze/Coolant in my F800ST a few weeks ago . . . from the blue stuff BMW put in it at the factory . . . to the brand name yellowish green stuff I put in it.

I removed:
-- the plastic/Aluminum radiator assembly to tip drain it completely.
-- the small coolant recovery tank to add a sand + soapy solution to shake it clean of hazy deposits.
-- the block drain bolt to tip drain the cylinder head & barrels to get everything out.
-- the Heat Exchanger drain bolt to drain it's own and the feed lines coolant supply out.
-- Used a shop air blowgun, thoughtfully applied, to blow everything liquid out.
After those operations, there wasn't even a tablespoon of the old stuff left behind.

The old stuff looked fairly clean. If I had forgotten to change it, TowerWorker would have saved the day. Thanks anyway Wayne. I hope we can ride again, as soon as you're fully recovered.

[Sunbeemer]

Thanks for the reminder! Got to take care of those ta-ta's!
I changed it today and lubed the muffler bearings. I try to keep them on the same maintenance schedule.
Don't you hate a squeeky muffler? It sure ruins an otherwise melodious note!

[Rog(UK) - Yorkshire Dales]

I'm a little confused because after Wayne had posted a reminder about anti-freeze I went across to the local BMW dealer and asked for a couple of litres of anti-freeze for the Rockster. Just to show them that they weren't dealing with an idiot, I also asked for a new thermostat (one can't be too careful). The parts guy obviously knew that I was well experienced in keeping my Rockster in 'top-notch' condition and that he couldn't hoodwink me. I found him most helpful and courteous. He said that if I were doing the job 'right', then I should also include a long stand. I must admit that I didn't know of that part but, of course, I readily agreed. The thing is that nothing much happened after that and I've only just got back home (0030hr) and worse still. without anti-freeze or thermostat.

Wayne; am I missing something .......

Rog

...and very, very best wishes to you Wayne.

[Dr. Strangelove]

Dude, thanks for the timely reminder...The timing of coolant exchange happens to coincide with the resetting of the Wife Acceptance Module and serendipitously with the Bike Acceptance Module or the "WAM/BAM" service, as noted on page 93 of the Cajunistan Edition of the 2004 (ABS) Rider's Manual. Furthermore, (in bold print), all variances are directly attributable to "wanderndes Auge," or, roughly, "wandering eye."

It's an annual thing, and you have to first remove the tank.

[Ol' Jeffers]

I'm a little confused because after Wayne had posted a reminder about anti-freeze I went across to the local BMW dealer and asked for a couple of litres of anti-freeze for the Rockster. Just to show them that they weren't dealing with an idiot, I also asked for a new thermostat (one can't be too careful). The parts guy obviously knew that I was well experienced in keeping my Rockster in 'top-notch' condition and that he couldn't hoodwink me. I found him most helpful and courteous. He said that if I were doing the job 'right', then I should also include a long stand. I must admit that I didn't know of that part but, of course, I readily agreed. The thing is that nothing much happened after that and I've only just got back home (0030hr) and worse still. without anti-freeze or thermostat.

Wayne; am I missing something .......

Rog

...and very, very best wishes to you Wayne.

Well Rog...to us old hands who know about such things, you clearly forgot to ask for the left-handed screwdriver and possibly even the ever popular box of sparks to
top up the ignition system. But the long stand, I believe, was recently superseded by the long weight, but in fact they are quite similar. HTH

Hey TW hope you are making good progress in your recovery....always good to read your posts!

[towerworker]

It is truly heartwarming to read all what you fellas have written. I am slowly getting better and stronger. I still walk kinda funny (and look even worse). But the R is still with me (kinda like the Force!) Didn't make my goal of being back on my bike this past May. I've reset my goal for next spring. A close friend rides my R and keeps the antifreeze circulating. It's being well cared for. My wife is adamantly opposed to me riding again. I see her point. I just want her to see mine. During my entire 9+months in the hospital I kept a clear goal in my mind. I'm getting back on my R. Doubt that I'll do the 12-15K I once did. But I'll ride.

Thanks guys!!