Greetings.
I'm glad I found this forum - what a great resource.
I just bought a 91 , red and black (no pics - camera batteries died), 40k miles. I love it. It is my first sport bike, and my first bike since I was hit head on by a drunk driver in 87. I put about 200 miles on it today. It runs pretty good, although it does run hot. Temp gauge runs at 12:00 while on freeway, but hits the line before red while in traffic. Anti-freeze is nice green and I think I hear the fan come on but its hard to tell in traffic with the head gear on. Based on other posts I have read I am going to change out the thermostat next week.

 

Just make sure your fan is coming on. My bike will climb to 3/4 before the fan comes on at which point it will absolutely not climb higher. If your fan doesn't come on till the line before red then either your temp guage is off or your temperature sensor for the fan isn't functioning right.

 

Welcome to the forum man!! Make sure that your fan does come on!! ow is the heat on your knees?

 

Your situaiton with getting the bike and running hot sounds just like mine! My bike was given to me, (same year/color) and I've been having an overheating issue recently in traffic and while idling, but when running it's at 12:00.

I've ordered a thermostat as well and yesterday I drained the coolant (looked like 90% water from the previous owner). I decided to just check the thermostat and wehn I got it out, the "guts" literally fell out of it. Part of it (the cylindrical part and shaft) fell down into the hose, so I had to tear 1/2 the right side coolant hoses off to retrieve it.

Hopefully I'll be getting my thermostat today ($35, had to order it) and will have it in by Sunday. I'll let you know what happens since it sounds like we're having the same problems. My fan does come on, but even when the gauge reads hot or overheat, the fan will run and then turn off. If the thermostat isn't the culprit (not allowing enough flow into the radiator) then I'll have to replace the switch too ($50 or so) if it's erratic.

As I said, I'll let you know.

 

Well, I got the T-stat in, but forgot to get a new O-ring for the housing, so I haven't been able to ride it to report anything. However, the old thermostat literally fell apart when I took it out of the housing. If that's not the problem, I'd be very surprised. It'll probably be sometime later this week before the O-ring comes in and I get it in the bike. Once I run it again, I'll let you know. Hopefully it'll fix your issue too.

 

Hey man, Just wanted to update you and let you know that a new thermostat fixed my problem. Got it Fri, put it in Sat and ran the bike all weekend and to work today. Runs much cooler now.

FYI, if you get a new thermostat, get a new O-ring also. The guy at the shop I went to didn't tell me to get a new one, he just said to inspect and be careful with the one already in the bike. Well, my old one was in good shape and leaked after I put the t-stat in and a new O-ring doesn't come with the t-stat. Spend the extra $2 or so and get a new O-ring when you get your t-stat. Even the service manual says to replace it.

I hope it fixes your problem like it fixed mine.

 

Good to know. I haven't had a chance to work on mine, my appendix burst last week so I have been on bed rest. This Saturday I will replace the T-stat and o ring and see what happens.

 

Sucks about your appendix, hope the recovery goes/has gone well.

 

Welcome to the Forum.......![8D]
If you need a worshop manual, download one at
http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/midlife/i...ice_Manual.pdf
Hope your recovery is swift and perfect......