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My adventure checking the coolant level today has been "a wake-up call".
I've always performed the simple, routine maintenance myself (i.e. spark plugs, fluid changes and brake pads). It may be time for me to put away the wrenches.
On the front of the coolant reservoir tank, there is a "high" and "low" mark. On my 2009 Goldwing, I remember that I would put the bike on the center stand, look underneath at the reservoir tank and check the level. I even had taken a magic marker to mark the high and low mark, so it would be easy to see. I tried that today on my 2016 and could not see how that would be possible to do. I looked on the right side, then looked on the left. Dang! Don't see how that's possible. Now I'm starting to think that I imagined the whole thing.
Okay. I will just check it according to the manual. Started the engine to warm it up while I removed the side cover. First problem that I see is that I have installed passenger footboard risers. These will have to come off before I can remove the side panel. (Some of you already see the problem.) After removing the passenger footboard, I suddenly realize that I'm removing the wrong panel. This panel covers the battery.
To wrap this up, I finally removed the correct side panel and checked coolant level. It was low and I added coolant.
I've always done simple routine maintenance because I was afraid that through carelessness or incompetence, the Honda tech was not to be trusted. I still feel that way, but perhaps he should be trusted more than ME.
I've always performed the simple, routine maintenance myself (i.e. spark plugs, fluid changes and brake pads). It may be time for me to put away the wrenches.
On the front of the coolant reservoir tank, there is a "high" and "low" mark. On my 2009 Goldwing, I remember that I would put the bike on the center stand, look underneath at the reservoir tank and check the level. I even had taken a magic marker to mark the high and low mark, so it would be easy to see. I tried that today on my 2016 and could not see how that would be possible to do. I looked on the right side, then looked on the left. Dang! Don't see how that's possible. Now I'm starting to think that I imagined the whole thing.
Okay. I will just check it according to the manual. Started the engine to warm it up while I removed the side cover. First problem that I see is that I have installed passenger footboard risers. These will have to come off before I can remove the side panel. (Some of you already see the problem.) After removing the passenger footboard, I suddenly realize that I'm removing the wrong panel. This panel covers the battery.
To wrap this up, I finally removed the correct side panel and checked coolant level. It was low and I added coolant.
I've always done simple routine maintenance because I was afraid that through carelessness or incompetence, the Honda tech was not to be trusted. I still feel that way, but perhaps he should be trusted more than ME.
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