Hi, it came to me today, that I have never heard the cooling fan on my 1500 kick in before; I took an '08 Classic out for a ride in cool weather, it kicked in and out regularly; has anyone else run into this, the fan never running? My temp light never comes on, so not sure if there is a problem or not. This is my first water cooled bike, so not all that familiar with it.
Thanks in advance;
49Reo
The thermostat opens and closes to keep the coolant within operating range. The thermostat starts opening at 136-144F (58-62C) and is fully open at about 167F (75C).[/size]The fan doesn't come on until the coolant reaches between 212 and 230F(100-110C) and it will go off again at between 207-217(97-103C).
Drifters tend to run "cool" except on the hottest days, stop and go traffic, etc. If you aren't getting indications of overheating, just keep your eyes and ears open. Sometimes it only runs for a few seconds, and that's enough to get it cooled down. You've probably just missed it.
I have been driving mine now for 2 years and have never had the fan come on. Temps last summer in the 90's but the bike was cool as a cucumber. I do change all fluids every year and as matter of fact just did it today and I am ready to go.
Dan
Thanks, I was pretty sure nothing was amiss; never had any of the usual "omens" of overheating, like odd noises, power loss, smell, etc. Figured I better check with people who have been running liquid cooled machines longer than me. The '08 Classic I test rode, (it was new) the fan was on and off the wholes ride; bike had a funny (hot) smell when I returned it. Good thing I didn't buy it....
Thanks again, both of you!
Regards and such,
49Reo
Hi, I too had never heard my fan kick on with my '99 1500 and I have been riding mine since last June.
Most of my riding is highway, or back roads, very little in town or stop & go, but 2 weeks ago, we were checking out some camp grounds, and idling around in 1st gear, temp was in the low 80's.
My friends '07 Vulcan 800's fan kicked on and I could hear it over his bike and mine, his stayed on for almost the entire time we were idling around.
My fan eventually started, (about 10 minutes into the slow idling) and it shut off almost as soon as I got up to about 25mph or so.
You will know it when it starts, it is loud.
45 Bravo