Upper Radiator hose at the Thermostat

[prezzr1]

Good Morning All,

I'm about to remove the radiator to tighten the upper radiator hose.  I've tightened the others but couldn't get to upper at the thermostat.  Before I remove the radiator, is there a short cut or trick to getting to the thermostat?  I had a small deposit of coolant on the floor after this winter.

Thanks
Bill
1999 Valkyrie Interstate
9,944 miles
Monument CO

[sandy]

Look in from the left side of the engine, just above the engine guard. If the hose clamp is positioned right, you can reach in with a long ratchet extension and an 8mm socket.

[Valker]

Look in from the left side of the engine, just above the engine guard. If the hose clamp is positioned right, you can reach in with a long ratchet extension and an 8mm socket.

I think mine is a 6mm. I had to buy a new socket just for that.

[Skinhead]

I have posted previously on this.  If you do remove the radiator, remove the skinny OEM Honda hose clamp and replace it with a regular sized automotive clamp.  They are about twice as wide and provide  for sealing/clamping area.  If you open the clamps all the way you don't have to drain the coolant to replace it. 

I used to have leaks there every winter, non since I replaced the clamp.

[luftkoph]

Cold leaks, I’ve fixed mine with constant tension clamps

[WintrSol]

Cold leaks, I’ve fixed mine with constant tension clamps

Do you use the ones for 'firm hose' or 'soft hose'?

[luftkoph]

I did not know there was a difference, I get them from bell metric, there made in Germany that’s all I know about them, and that they work. The only ones I didn’t replace where the two that connect the inlet pipes to the Y hose from the water pump, just not enough room for the tool unless you remove the exhaust, and I wasn’t that motivated at the time, maybe next time I have the exhaust off I will.

[John Schmidt]

I did not know there was a difference, I get them from bell metric, there made in Germany that’s all I know about them, and that they work. The only ones I didn’t replace where the two that connect the inlet pipes to the Y hose from the water pump, just not enough room for the tool unless you remove the exhaust, and I wasn’t that motivated at the time, maybe next time I have the exhaust off I will.

That's strange because a couple years ago I replaced all the hoses, including that bottom "Y" and never removed anything but the hoses. No need to touch the exhaust, and I used better clamps while at it.

[luftkoph]

I did not know there was a difference, I get them from bell metric, there made in Germany that’s all I know about them, and that they work. The only ones I didn’t replace where the two that connect the inlet pipes to the Y hose from the water pump, just not enough room for the tool unless you remove the exhaust, and I wasn’t that motivated at the time, maybe next time I have the exhaust off I will.

That's strange because a couple years ago I replaced all the hoses, including that bottom "Y" and never removed anything but the hoses. No need to touch the exhaust, and I used better clamps while at it.

With the constant tension you pretty much need a tool for them and even one with a cable there just isn't enough room, regular worm drive clamps plenty of room for a screwdriver