is it hard to replace a bad thermostat? where is it located and how does it look like? any info on how to fix it would be great!

 

it's not hard...but it is time consuming.
it's number 2, buried under the tank.

 

k... i looked it up on my manual (PDF version) and it gives a pretty detailed description on how to get to the thermostat and how to test if it works or not. Like you guys said, it could be stuck closed. The manual tells me to take out the thermostat and put it in water and heat it up with a thermometer measuring the heat of the water. It says the thermostat should begin to open at around 176-183 F; if it stays open, stays shut, or opens/closes at other temperature, REPLACE IT.

Ebay has pretty high prices costing at about $50 with shipping, some a lot more. There is one auction though that will only cost about $35 shipping.

 

there's a rubber gasket there...you can get new or re-use...
if you're local bring it over and we'll take a stab at it...but you AIN'T! muahahahahahahha

 

After alot of hard riding when on my way home on a hot day, if I run into town and get caught at a light mine will hit 240. However if I see it climbing like that and I know im going to be at the light for awhile I will shut the bike off. I might take a look at changning my thermostat out. Also I was thinking of going to straight distilled water for the summer months.

 

ddaren, If your going to go through all the trouble of taking out your thermostat, I would suggest you just simply replace it instead of re-installing it back in your bike ( Weather or not it's the problem ). Like Tahoe said, There's a rubber gasket attatched to it which is subject to extreme heat making it very brittle so chances are you might tear it in half when remove the thermostat. Best of luck...

 

ok guys... update. i just changed my oil and oil filter. omfg... whoever put in the oil filter (probably the previous owner) put it on super tight! I used one of those air filter plastic covers that you can buy at any auto store and it'll attach to a ratchet. I got the right size, but it was so tight the cover broke. I then bought the air filter claw or something and ended up crushing the filter a lot before getting it out.

Haven't really rode it much yet to see if it's still overheating. Hopefully it's good. If not, I'll go replace the thermostat next.

 

they get tighter for some reason...but i'm sure the guy before overtorqued it.
make sure you just hand tighten it when installing it!

 

Just hammer a screwdriver through it and turn :-P

 

Try www.bikebandit.com $35 + shipping for the thermostat. Also www.hondapatrs-direct.com has it for $25 + shipping. Good luck let us know the outcome.