I've had my '96 600F3 for a year and a half now. When I first got it it was spring and around 60*F outside. The temp gauge hardly ever moved up from the resting position. Throughout the summer as it got warmer outside I would see the gauge go a little higher. The gauge is working, it can get pretty hot while sitting still but as soon as I start moving, it drops back down.

Do your bikes stay at a consistent temp while running? Mine is all over the place depending on fast I am going basically. I'm thinking I may need a new thermostat and mine is stuck open.

 

I am asking the same question....

 

My temperature is consistent for the most part, once the bike has heated up I never see it go below around the halfway mark on the gauge. It fluctuates around the upper half of the gauge depending on how fast I am going. (Sitting in traffic = hot. Interstate = half way mark)
For the price of a thermostate - replace it. Especially with the bike being carbureted, having a steady temperature will help your performance and efficiency.

 

Thermostat, radiator cap, fan sensor switch....when it gets old (check your service manual) time to change. Somethings rather change them before fail...when parts fail, then you must change them. Fresh coolant and quality motor oil is essential.

Most bike when riding, temp stay down....because air blowing, cooling engine. It's when a stop light...engine get hot.

Talking about it, mine is due for a new radi cap & thermostat too...I'll start shopping around for a good deal, then next time I open her up, replace them.

 

My fan is not on all the time. When I first got the bike last year it got real hot a few times and I noticed the fan never turned on. I opened up the fuse cover and found that the fan fuse was blown so I replaced it, then the fan was fine.

How does the radiator cap affect the temperature? I've never had one go bad on anything before. I know a decent amount about everything and am very mechanical, just never heard of a cap causing temperature problems.

 

Where is located the fuse cover and wich was the fuse with the problems?

 

The radiator cap basically is triggered to open and close by pressure in the system. It basically regulates flow between the overflow/reservoir and the cooling system. The higher the temperature, the higher the pressure. It is possible that the cap has weakened over the years and isn't holding up to the pressure of the heat and allowing some of the coolant to go back into the reservoir/overflow.
If you know the thermo is stuck open - replace that. More than likely is NOT the cap.

 

The lever right under the throttle hand grip. The one labeled "fan".

 

Thx

 

A bad cap will cause over heating problems not running to cool. My F2 runs on the cool side and that's the way I like it. Engines run warm to help with fuel economy for the most part.