Interstate overheated once

[jdp]

I was stuck in traffic once and my overheated light came on once I got moving it was fine and never got hot again, is this a problem that I’m getting ready to happen? The coolant and fan are working fine , is there something I should be checking or am I just being worried for nothing ?

[Pluggy]

Sounds like everything is working like it should.  Checked the coolant level?  When the bike is cooled-off, it is easy.  Happy riding.

[CoreyP]

Have you ever replaced the coolant????

Are you sure your fan turns on at the right time? When it's hot outside my fan is like clock work at street lights. I stop and it turns on blowing hot air at me.

[Jess from VA]

You didn't say how long ago this happened.

If nothing else (heat or cooling system) happened for a long time since it did, it's probably fine.

But the flush and coolant change questions are good ones.

I've only rarely had the fan come on for the length of a red light. HOT days, stop and go.  Where I live, some red lights are very long.

If I get stuck in traffic, I always reach down and key the bike off (before the fan comes on).  Do not shut down with the the kill switch or kickstand switch and sit there with your lights on.

It happened to me several times the other day, and also put the kickstand down and just sat there waiting to move (85 degrees).  I always worry like an old lady the bike won't start again (HOT), but it always fires instantly.  

I have these Tel Tru sweep thermometer oil dipsticks in both Interstates (kind of spendy).  220* is where you want to start worrying.  So on hot days at lights or backups, you can look down and see how you're doing.  They have an oil level line, but I don't trust them and only use my OE dipsticks for checking.  And it's been a long time since I checked them for accuracy (you stick them in boiling water and adjust them to 212* - sea level).  And you mustn't unscrew them with the dial face or you'll change the temp setting; you remove and snug them with a wrench on the hex neck.  



https://www.teltru.com/product-category/home/motorcycle-and-atv/?srsltid=AfmBOoodcGJnr-1ud683rUenty8dkeaE-WzIz_rAfbCJQbM2KmeUQ9jc

[98valk]

I was stuck in traffic once and my overheated light came on once I got moving it was fine and never got hot again, is this a problem that I’m getting ready to happen? The coolant and fan are working fine , is there something I should be checking or am I just being worried for nothing ?

u don't have one of those fancy chrome "valkyrie" radiator covers which restrict airflow?

[jdp]

This happened 2 years ago I check my fan and it comes on and off like it should, I’m going to flush and replace the coolant and was thinking of maybe putting a fan switch on so I can turn on the fan before it gets hot, like I said it only happened once I think I’m just worried like an old lady

[Hook#3287]

That happened to me once, but it was my fault.  I didn't "Burp" the system correctly after changing out coolant.

If it was just one time and the fan came on and the light went off, I wouldn't be overly concerned.

if it happened again, I would inspect the complete system (fan switch, thermostat)  and swap out coolant if more than 3 years old.

http://www.valkyrieriders.com/shoptalk/carlcoolant.htm

Helpful post in Shop Talk

[Jims99]

Also depending on the year, the sensor for the light are monitored by ohms. There’s a resistor that goes bad and will cause the light to come on at random times. My 99 does this and I know it’s not overheating. I would just enjoy her (after fluid change) and see if it happens anymore. There’s a way to fix the resistor problem in shop talk. I just never bothered to do it. These old bikes are still very dependable, wouldn’t over think it.