I bought a pristing 96 F3 Smokin Joes replica with only 2900 miles on it. When I pulled the float bowls to clean the pilot jets, I saw that the carb heater lines appear altered from the factory configuration (what is shown in the service manual). I have 1 hose that goes from the top right of the cylinder head down to the water pump cover. This is not factory. It's supposed to go to a thermostat valve, then to the carbs, and then to the water pump cover. The thermostat is also missing. However, tooling marks indicate it was once installed on the engine block. The hose going from the cylinder head down to the water pump looks factory though! Did HRC make some bypass kit or something? This bike is BONE STOCK except for me noticing this.

 

Not as far as I know, my manual says the buggers are fitted. Is the bike running ok? Maybe it was something to improve performance some how.

 

your talking about the thermovalve, not the thermostat right? The thermostat is in the angle coming out of the head going to the radiator with a big hose. The thermo valve is the little thing that kinda looks l_ike a pill floating in a tangle of hoses...

Id say, if your bike can start and run without it there is no need. It should only be needed to get the bike up to operating temperatures quicker in colder weather. If your bike is in warm weather all the time, li_ke in Florida, you should be allright. If it has trouble starting and staying running even with choke you may need to put the thermo valve back on.