Help! Coolant leak (Valkyrie I/S 1999): solved!

[Savago]

Dear Friends

Yesterday I decided to do a 'quick' trip from SunnyVale to Yosemite Park (near 370 miles), and boy... I really enjoyed how easily the valkyrie did while climbing to 7000ft. I thought that carburated engines were supposed to feel asthmatic in such altitude variations but I guess this rule doesn't apply to the flat 6 engine built by Honda.

Anyway... early today I was cleaning the fat lady and noticed a small puddle below the engine front. The color and smell made no mistake, it was coolant fluid.

Curious, I turned the beast on and started looking below the engine trying to track the leak source. I did the following video to show the place (it doesn't seem to be neither the water pump or the o-ring/screw used to flush the fluid):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wauvepVag34

Any ideas of the leak source and what would require to fix it?


Best regards


Savago

[Michvalk]

Yeah, it's leaking at  the clamp that attaches the top hose to the thermostat housing on the top of the motor. Pain in the butt place to get to, to tighten the clamp, but it can be done. There are several write-ups on the tech board on how to get to it. Most take the radiator loose and reach in with a long extention

[Savago]

Mich

Does it require to flush the coolant? I just flushed it less than 800 miles ago.
:-(

Savago

[Bighead]

No you just have to get to the top hose clamp and tighten it.

[Savago]

Dear friends

Thanks to the help provided by you guys, I decided to go ahead and perform the job to fix the leak in my Valkyrie. Detailed instructions and photos of the whole procedure can be found at this link:
https://plus.google.com/109764150143106427665/posts/4r5JVohy7x3

Rode the bike yesterday for 80 miles and no leaks, I guess it is fixed now.

I hope the photos may provide directions for both removing the radiator as also fixing leaks related to a loose hose at the thermostat.


Best regards


Savago

[Chrisj CMA]

When mine leaked I didn't remove the radiator, just the one mounting bolt at the top.  I could tip it forward just enough to get a socket extension up to the thermostat housing.  Its a simple thing really.

[Savago]

As it was requested through PM, updated link to photos:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/HnBZKHkVyLU4k15W6