Coolant Leak

[Trophy Bike]

Recently, I noticed a few drops on the ground under the oil drain plug area.  Thought I might not have snugged down the plug or filter down well as I just did an oil change before winter and have not really run the bike in a few weeks.  Yesterday, when I started the bike from cold a larger puddle of blue fluid formed but did not keep growing as the bike ran.  However, I suspect it was hitting the hot engine or exhaust and vaporizing.  It has been really cold here and the bike is not in a heated garage.
Looks like I have a coolant leak.  It did not reappear today but I am sure this is not one of those things that will heal itself by Spring on the 2000 mile ride I have planned! (note that the bike was serviced about 2500 miles ago and the coolant was reportedly changed.  This should be true as one of the posts here indicated the factory coolant is green and mine is blue.  Perhaps the tech did not tighten a clamp well if he removed one for the drainage).

I have read some threads about this issue and Coconut's Bible of fixes and I am committed to getting to know the bike better by stripping off the bodywork.  My questions are:

1.  Based on the location of the leak (surely it is running along something and draining near the middle of the bike) is there a specific panel I can remove and get a look and perhaps avoid stripping everything?  In other words, is there a most common leak point and can I focus on one or two panels?
2.  Are these leaks almost always the result of a loose clamp or should I be prepared to dive deeper.  I did have a bike once that leaked from the water pump gasket which was an easy fix.  I do not think the radiator is leaking or the coolant overflow bottle based on the location of the leak although I suppose it could be possible.  I cant really see or feel anything to help me here with the bodywork on the bike.
3. If I do need to strip off all the bodywork is this the time to fit RG crash bars?  I did not read further on the forum but how much more difficult is the install after the plastic is off?  I wasn't planning on doing this but while I am in there...........

Thank you any insights you can provide.  Coconut's guide to removing the bodywork should get me through that part just fine.  I know it is a PIA but I really should become competent in stripping the bike and there is no way I want to go to the dealer for this job!
Thanks,
Jeff

[motopoppi]

Me too ... same problem, same conditions , not heated garage (but never under 0°C inside) and bike not running for 3 weeks.

 

Triumph dealers asked me to go to their workshop and make a check but they are busy till 19th of March.

I also noticed a strange "bump" from speakers during start coming from ignition relais on&off.

[Trophy Bike]

Ah well.  My bike is protected from the elements but not the cold.  it's not a lot of fluid but needs to be addressed.  I just haven't had a decent day or the time to dissemble the panels.  Let me know where your leak is coming from!

[motopoppi]

The leak is located on left side, bottom part of fairing, probably the leak flows from top and I see drops on red marked zone in attacched image .
The leak is present only when engine is running and stops immediately when engine is off.

I next days I try to remove the side panel and see something more.

[Coconut]

Hi motopoppi,

Once you have removed the Fairing, which is not difficult, just time consuming,
( Take your time and follow the instructions in the article you've already seen ),
you will see one of the two main Coolant hoses on the left side of the bike,
which I have circled in the below Photograph.

My guess would be that this hose is leaking,
possible from the Union that can be seen within the circle.



Cheers 

[motopoppi]

Thanks Coconut ! 

Yes, it is probably the hose .
Below the hose there is an electrical connector.
Do you know the function of this connection ?
Maybe a short circuit due to coolant leakage is the cause of the noise I hear in radio speakers during start phase.

[Coconut]

It's the connector plug for the Front Wheel Speed Sensor - for the ABS system 

[motopoppi]

  Thanks .

So, it's note related to something involved in engine start or radio speakers. 

I have 2 different problems.