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So I flushed the radiator with equal parts distilled water and vinegar. I'm pretty sure the thermostat is working as I saw a video that someone with a Drifter started their bike with the radiator cap open to see if the coolant drained or bubbled. When I started my bike after a few minutes the liquid started to flow down and bubbles started to occur in my overflow coolant container. I'm assuming this means the thermostat opened? I drained and flushed and filled the bike with coolant and I think we're all set.

So with the tank fixed, the radiator cleaned out and the engine oil, spark plugs and battery changed out fresh what else should I start on? I think I'll do a final gear shafts oil refresh but that's pretty easy.

Bleeding the hoses for the clutch and brakes and filling with fresh fluid?

I've read that you should not use tires that are more than 10 years old and after 5 years you should have your tires inspected once every year. I believe my tires were manufactured in 2010 but man they look new! Honestly I don't think my uncle used them. No cracks and tires are not dried out. I mean I know they are 7 years old but dang. Is it OK to take it around the block? I found some tires that seemed really cheap $180 for both front and rear? Is this too cheap or seems about right? What tires do you buy?

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Topic summary

Posted by Troll

- June 01, 2017, 18:46:55 PM

Under the front of the tank, on top (you had the tank off before) is the radiator cap. If it's not on tight, or the rubber is worn out, the system will not build any pressure. It's just EXACTLY like a car...The stat opens at like 140° F, not like a car, which is 192°.

Posted by Adventure_Boy

- June 01, 2017, 16:28:08 PM

Yes there is definitely coolant as I've opened the resevore under the tank and its filled with green fluid. I've read that the fan doesn't kick on very much as well. My only concern is that there is no pressure within the hose when the motorcycle is running. Isn't there always pressure due to the fluid constantly flowing once it is hot? From my understanding if there is no pressure in the tube it means that the fluid is not able to get through due to the thermostat not opening which indicates a bad thermostat. Is the thermostat difficult to remove?

Also I've checked the fuses and they are all working properly. My horn also doesn't function haha

I've adjusted the idle speed and have it where it is no longer stalling. Thanks! I didn't know how the idle speed adjuster worked haha

Posted by Troll

- June 01, 2017, 08:48:11 AM

Silly question, but there is coolant in it, right? My fan hardly ever comes on, unless it's 90+ degrees and I've been riding in town a lot. Don't look for trouble where there probably isn't any. As far as the idle speed goes, slowly set it up (the black knob by the air cleaner) until it's smooth and stable. Since it has no tach, you will need to do this mostly by ear. If it idles too fast after you ride it some, bring it back down a little at a time until it is smooth.

Posted by Adventure_Boy

- May 31, 2017, 11:09:01 AM

So how exactly do you set the bikes idle speed and how do you know what it is idling at since there is no rpm gauge?

Also this may be a stupid thing to say but after letting it run for a while the motor was really hot where you could feel the heat being about 1-2 ft away which got me thinking "is my radiator working?" Is there a way to know that it's actually functioning? The fan never turned on when the bike became hot. Also while the bike was running I squeezed the cooling tube closest to the thermostat and there was no pressure. Does this mean the thermostat is bad?

Posted by Troll

- May 31, 2017, 07:56:19 AM

Idle speed should be 1000 rpm. It's NOT a Harley...and by the way, they are supposed to idle at 1000 rpm, too!

Posted by Adventure_Boy

- May 30, 2017, 20:26:11 PM

Well I'm pleased to say that I decided to try the fuel pump after I cleaned it and it sounds strong. At first I did not put any gas in the tank and cranked the motor over to hear if there were any weird sounds coming from the engine. After not hearing anything unusual I went ahead and put gas in the tank and fired her up! It started on the first try but then stalled out. A BUNCH of RUST came shooting out of the exhaust as I kept it running until it warmed up. I kept the old spark plugs in when starting it for the first time and after letting it run for a while and changed them out for the new ones. The old spark plugs came out cleaner than before haha The bike has a rough idle and kept stalling if I did not twist the throttle. I finally got it warmed up and she sounds like a beast! It does always sound and feel like its on the edge of stalling though. Is that normal or does it need to be tuned?

Tell me what you guys think?

Here is a link to the video.
https://goo.gl/photos/1HZxT6ne3aYiFPBG6

Posted by Old Drifter

- May 27, 2017, 17:14:23 PM

I would say no. Replace it!

Posted by Adventure_Boy

- May 27, 2017, 10:55:27 AM

So I figured out why the tank always had little flakes coming out no matter what I tried. I removed the fuel pump to find that it was completely rusted. Feeling defeated I thought it was ruined I might as well try to fix it and ifind it doesn't work I'll buy a new one. I let the pump sit in vinegar for 2 hours and then began scrubbing and hitting it with the water hose. Soon enough all the rust was removed. I air dried it from a compressor until it was completely dry.

So is it a good idea to attempt to use it again?

Posted by Troll

- May 12, 2017, 19:14:25 PM

The filter will catch anything down to 3 microns....not big enough to see. Might not be a bad idea to have a spare filter lying around in case you plug that one up...http://www.vulcangadgets.com/files/ff_replacement.html

Posted by Adventure_Boy

- May 11, 2017, 12:20:54 PM

My other question is at what point can I turn on the motorcycle?

I had gotten the tank to only have little pieces of rust flakes come out with clean water. Is it safe to turn on the motorcycle? Will the filters catch the flakes or is this a horrible idea?

Posted by Troll

- May 06, 2017, 19:52:03 PM

Vinegar is a mild acid, so you need a base to counter act the acidic action. Water should have done it, but maybe water with a few tums or other ant-acid would do it

Posted by Adventure_Boy

- May 06, 2017, 17:25:10 PM

Hey Guys,

So I'm having a hard time sealing off all areas of the fuel tank when I put the vinegar inside. It seems to still leak on me. Do you have any suggestions?

Im also hesitant due to when I did it the first time the vinegar actually ate through the bottom of my gas cap and disintegrated it to the point that the spring fell out and I had to purchase a new cap. Any suggestions there as well?

I've attached pictures of what condition the tank is now. I thought adding gasoline and mixing it around would stop the vinegar process but I was undoubtedly wrong.

Posted by Adventure_Boy

- April 27, 2017, 16:55:14 PM

Quote from: drifter-paul on April 27, 2017, 01:12:24 AM
I wouldn't bother removing the pump. It's fiddly and you don't get any useful view. Not a job for a newcomer, IMHO.

Well I am everything that is a newcomer so I wont touch the water pump if its not worth it.

I will try soaking in vinegar one more time and then immediately after putting baking soda into the tank and swish it around. I will update you all after I have done so. Any more tips would be appreciated.

Posted by drifter-paul

- April 27, 2017, 01:12:24 AM

I wouldn't bother removing the pump. It's fiddly and you don't get any useful view. Not a job for a newcomer, IMHO.

Posted by Pilgrim

- April 26, 2017, 20:18:55 PM

I don't think there is a correct amount just mix up a box in five gallons and pour it in, it should work pretty quick. Then rinse it out good. If there is rust in tank it will probably return unless you coat the tank.
Did you pull the fuel pump out and check it? Never had one out and don't know if you can examine the tank better with it out or not. Someone who has changed a fuel pump can tell you how much of the inside of the tank is visible.
They sell gas tank sealer called RED-KOTE..search it.

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