Coolant level in expansion bottle.

[earthman]

I've noticed that the coolant seems to settle just above the 'MIN' mark on my bike, I've topped it up to halfway in the past but it seems to come down/settle at that level a few weeks later. I'm not seeing any leaks and I've never experienced any over heating issues on this bike, just wondering if you chaps have experienced the same thing?

[RocketSteve]

I had similar problems (although it was the Boss Hoss) with filling the system on the side stand using the filler cap on the right side of the engine.

Being cold with the thermostat closed I was unwittingly "over-filling" it and the approx 1/2 lt used to bring it up to the filler neck came back out via the overflow pipe when hot.

Then someone said - it's a Chevy Corvette sports car engine and the rad system is designed to be filled on the level, as with all cars!

If it makes any difference on the SE, are you filling the system on the side stand or main stand?

[Coconut]

Owners Handbook Page 124 :

Position the motorcycle on level ground and in an upright position.
Check the coolant level in the expansion tank ....

[earthman]

Originally Posted by earthman

I've noticed that the coolant seems to settle just above the 'MIN' mark on my bike, I've topped it up to halfway in the past but it seems to come down/settle at that level a few weeks later. I'm not seeing any leaks and I've never experienced any over heating issues on this bike, just wondering if you chaps have experienced the same thing?

I've been using the main stand,....I'll try holding the bike upright whilst on it's wheels but like with the engine oil check, there's not a great deal of difference in it, certainly not the amount of fluid that would fit between the min & max levels on that bottle.

[RocketSteve]

I've just checked my SE on the Main stand and in comparison, my expansion tank is similar to your level, just above the MIN line.

It's only the radiator overflow tank and will either draw from/dump into this tank when the rad needs it so you should be okay.

 

[earthman]

Originally Posted by RocketSteve

I've just checked my SE on the Main stand and in comparison, my expansion tank is similar to your level, just above the MIN line.

It's only the radiator overflow tank and will either draw from/dump into this tank when the rad needs it so you should be okay.

 

Thanks Steve.

[HACKLE]

Earthman when I wash my Trophy or check the oil I place it on the centre stand and then lift the front off the ground with a small car bottle jack. I position the jack post under the small weld where the header pipes meet, and raise the front wheel till it's off the ground the same amount as the rear. Bike is very stable for me to do any work required like removing wheels to have new tyres fitted etc. 

[earthman]

Another option I've heard of is to place a piece of wood (of the correct thickness) under the front wheel.

I don't get why Triumph couldn't have worked out the 'correct levels' for this bike just by using the main stand?
This is my first Triumph but all my other bikes have done just that, surely that's one of the main reasons for having a center stand fitted in the first place!

I bet that most dealers/bike shops would just use the main stand too, the majority just wouldn't have the time to faff around with bits of wood etc.