Li'l Dribble of Anti Freeze from the usual spot

[ryord]

I need some advice, I have a small leak from the usual place where the radiator hose goes into the top of the engine. I have fixed the same leak over a year ago by just tightening the hose clamp. I checked and tightened the thing again but still have small leak. My question is has anyone been able to sneak another hose clamp on the hose or is it a tear down. Also is it possible to pull the radiator rather than going through the removal of the Carb Bank. Let me have some of your fine opinions. Thanks Rick.

[Mr Bojangles]

Hello, Don;t know what model you have but on my tourer I was able to remove the radiator and get to the clamp. I just replaced the clamp, after cutting off 1/4" of the hose. I did have to replace the hose later, but I did mine when doing a carb clean-out. Do not be tempted to leave-out the shroud. I must be in place. Hose clamps ain't what they once were. Good luck and take your time.
                                                       Mr Bojangles

[Ricky-D]

If you are (or have) simply gone in there and tightened up the clamp, well that's the problem because the clamp is stuck to the hose and simply just tightening the clamp does not allow the clamping force to be distributed evenly around the hose.

You should loosen the clamp enough so you can rotate the clamp around the complete hose circumference
and then proceed to tighten the clamp.

Another thing is to lubricate the clamp screw mechanism.

Simple enough!

***

[longrider]

If you are taking the time to drain the system be sure and remove the hose from the thermostat housing and clean up both the inside of the hose and the housing as there will be some corrosion present.  If you install the clamp in just the right direction like I did (facing slightly forward ) you will be able to reach it from the outside with a looooong screwdriver at any time.

warren

[ryord]

Thanks, I have a 2001 Standard with about 17k on it, I have had for almost 3 years and am the second owner. The motorcycle only had 3600 miles on it when I bought it. I thought of turning the clamp on its axis, I will try that first. Thanks Rick.

[da prez]

  If they are still made, ask for a hose clamp for silicone hose. It has a full circle  inner liner that the clamp slides on. They usually have a torque setting on them of 18in lb. I also would use anti-sieze compound on heater and radiator hoses. They seal and come off when you need to remove them.

                                da prez

[ryord]

Hello All, I picked up a couple of very good american made clamps and was able to sneak one down the upper radiator hose to the spot just above the other clamp that is causing the problem. I may see about getting the clamp mentioned above that is for silicon hoses. Any way it was not a bad job to put the clamp on just bellow the radiator cap and push it down the hose to the correct spot.