My 2003 connie has 19000 miles on her. I do not remember her running as hot as she's been lately.On a 70 degree ride to work the gauge will get to the3/4 mark and the fan will kick on.It never really goes past 3/4 even when idleing for 20 minutes.My stupid question is how do I know if my water pump is working correctly??? As you can tell by this post i am not that mechanical when it comes to motorcycles. Thanks

check your coolant level? it's hard to see the fluid in the overflow tank (stupid design by kaw imo) so just pop the cap to the radiator and see if it's to the top when the bike cool. otherwise, a thermostat issue? maybe a pro will chime in. 

Top off the the radiator and check the overflow bottle.  If the water pump is not working, you will know it without a doubt.  If the thermostat is stuck, then the pump is dead heading and you can get the same results.  Take the radiator cap off and let it idle until it burps coolant from the filler neck, shut it off and fill the radiator, restart and watch the temp gauge and listen for the fan to come on.  It will let you know if all is OK.  The fan should come on at about mid-range on the temp gauge and the temperature gauge should NOT go up from there, never into the red.  HTH, JD
PS you will need to remove the fuel tank and rig up an aux fuel supply so you can start the bike.  Open the bleeder on the thermostat when you first start up and if you get a steady flow then the pump is OK.

Thanks for the replies .If the fan comes on around half way and the gauge rises only to 3/4 does that means all is well? I have previosly burped her and coolant the coolant level seems okay'

Thanks for the replies .If the fan comes on around half way and the gauge rises only to 3/4 does that means all is well? I have previosly burped her and coolant the coolant level seems okay'

YES...

Sorry I don't know the answer to your question, chessfan, but I do know this:

You've got a loooooooooooooooooooong way to go to get anywhere near the most stupid question ever posted on this forum.   

Welcome to the zoo.

My 2003 connie has 19000 miles on her. I do not remember her running as hot as she's been lately.On a 70 degree ride to work the gauge will get to the3/4 mark and the fan will kick on.It never really goes past 3/4 even when idleing for 20 minutes.My stupid question is how do I know if my water pump is working correctly??? As you can tell by this post i am not that mechanical when it comes to motorcycles. Thanks

Are you moving or standing still when the gauge reaches 3/4 and the fan comes on?

Are you near my place in Houston?
If so, I suspect I know whut yer problem is.. <grin>
Hottest Summer I can recall...

Welcome to the oven!

Ride safe, Ted

I agree with JDM, with one minor exception;  The connie cooling system-thermostat never allows a total dead-head, even if its closed.     Take the thermostat out, you will see a nice sized hole (oval shaped) in it. 
The old Connie has a non-bypass system, this small hole is required to allow some coolant movement as the engine warms up. 
NOT an optimal system.

My bike started to run warmer.   Chalked it up to heat outside at first.  Ended up being the thermostat switch again.  I've changed mine 2x in the last twenty years.

I doubt the water pump is bad.  Not much in there to fail and if it did it would no doubt leak coolant or make noise or both.

If your system is topped off with coolant, no air bubbles, then I'd replace the therm switch.  $22 at auto parts store or $50 OEM.  Very easy replacement.    I think the auto parts one makes my bike run a tad cooler overall but the fan kicks on at 10 degrees cooler.  Not real noticeable on the fan but I do notice.  It only runs for a minute but it is more likely to run now when I go slow or stop.

""Ended up being the thermostat switch again.  I've changed mine 2x in the last twenty years.""

I doubt the water pump is bad.  Not much in there to fail and if it did it would no doubt leak coolant or make noise or both.

you're talking about the "water temperature sensor" (Kawi terminology) that fits into the thermostat body......?....correct? What auto store carries these??? (in your neck of the woods at least) and what did you ask them for at the counter? Do you have the manufacturer and part # of the auto parts sensor that fit yours?...and what year is your Connie?

I'm afraid I have to order this from Kawi. IF I could find it at a NAPA that would be great. thanks

d e a d

It's probably listed in the ol' Common Concours Parts pdf file.

I looked in there first, thanks for posting but all thats listed in the common parts pdf is the fan switch, not water temp sensor...and cross refs for the tstat itself.