Changing coolant : bike vertical or on sidestand?

[maniscar]

Hello,

When changing the engine coolant, should the bike be on the sidestand or vertical to ensure all the coolant drains out?  I ask because a few years ago I did it on another Valk and the radiator didn't take the full 4 quarts on refill.  It only took 3 (plus approx 1 in the reservoir).  The bike was vertical.   I followed the procedure in the factory shop manual including bleeding the system.

I have the shop manual and also looked in ShopTalk but there is no mention of which position the bike should be.

Thanks,

  Rich

[Bone]

3.9 quarts they list as the capacity of the engine and radiator and 1.1 quarts in the reserve tank. Use distilled water to top off if needed.

[maniscar]

Yea, I know, I just rounded up for the post      Put it this way, I bought 5 quarts of the Honda coolant and had 2 unopened quarts left. 

My question is more about the position of the bike to ensure draining the old stuff.

Thanks,

  Rich

[Jay]

Sidestand should be fine.  That actually makes the position of the drain at a lower point.  As for volume of coolant, mine usually takes 3 qts. including the tank.  There is most likely some that remains in the engine after draining.

[maniscar]

Thanks Jay, I'll try it.

Rich

[BF]

If I remember right, the book says to drain first on the sidestand and then (with the help of a second person...I think they wanted to limit their liability here) position the bike in an upright position to drain the remaining fluid.

My '97 takes about a gallon.  I just use distilled water and water wetter. 

[sandy]

If I remember right, the book says to drain first on the sidestand and then (with the help of a second person...I think they wanted to limit their liability here) position the bike in an upright position to drain the remaining fluid.

My '97 takes about a gallon.  I just use distilled water and water wetter. 

Where do you live that you don't use any antifreeze? AF has corrosion inhibiters in it. Does WaterWetter? I also use WW in AZ, but use 40% Dexcool. Honda says no less that 40% for protection.

[XXTi]

I drained mine on the sidestand.  Then I raised the bike to the vertical position and tilted it right and left to drain more fluid.  I also bought 5 quarts of Honda coolant and only used a bit less than 4.  I think the quantities shown in the manual might include the reservoir when they say 3.9 quarts.

[maniscar]

Manual says 3.9 in radiator and 1.1 in reservoir.   I guess no matter what there is always some left in the system, unless you do a teardown.

  Rich