Coolant Change on my 2008 connie

[brianp]

Greetings all.  After starting to ride on a KZ 650 as a Marine a long time ago, and eight motorcycles later of various mfgs, I find myself the proud owner of the 2008 Connie with low mileage - 7,900 miles.  I am just getting into the bike to do some basic maintenance and don't yet have a service manual.  2 questions.  1 - Can I just drain the coolant and refill with premix coolant  or do I need to flush the system and then refill and 2)  Do I need the service manual to learn make sure I don't screw up.  Thanks Brian

[Jeremy Mitchell]

Welcome!
I used Honda premix with an ounce or two of Water Wetter and it has worked well.  Having the service manual (or Fred's DVD's) is always a good idea.  I don't think a flush is necessarily required but it couldn't hurt.

[brianp]

Thanks.  Hate to sound a little dumb but what is Freds DVD?  Can find this online or is this something I need to purchase? 

[koval68]

Thanks.  Hate to sound a little dumb but what is Freds DVD?  Can find this online or is this something I need to purchase?

Yes! You need to purchase a set!
http://www.angelridevideos.com/

[simply40]

Welcome and thank you for your service, Fred videos break down a wide variety of maintenance procedures.  Kind of like having a mechanic in the shop with you explaining every step.  I have found them very helpful and worth every penny.  Ride safe and enjoy your new bike.

[rcannon409]

Brian, it would be hard to screw up as things are pretty obvious with regards to just the coolant change.  However, the body panals are a real PITA without seeign the video's or studying a shop manual.  The DVD's are well worth getting.  Its like having a neighbor who knows EVERYTHING about the C14. Pretty much anythign is shown in a step-by step basis. Fred even makes a valve adjustment easy to understand.

Plus, unlike the neighbor, when you've had enough of him, you unplug or shut off the dvd player. 

[VirginiaJim]

Fred's videos are good and I have a set myself.  Don't refer to them much these days though.  Get a service manual.  That will pretty much tell you how to do things.

On the coolant change.  When you remove the drain plug, put it in a place where you will remember it.  Also, the fluid will dribble out so if you have the bright idea to crack the rad cap then be prepared for an arterial bleed.  It will spurt out a good 4 to 6 feet horizontally.  Just be prepared for it.

[brianp]

Thanks a lot for the advice.  I will get the manual.  Changed mail and gear oil today.   Started to drain the coolant and thought I needed to do something else because it was just drippling out. 

Love the bike but found out I have a couple of gotcha's, one reason why the seller sold it below blue book.  My last bike was a 2008 BMW rt1200 and the only thing I liked better on the BMW was that it had a radio.

Where is the best place online to purchase parts for my connie?

The right side luggage bag came off while I was riding and got scuffed up. I thought it was me and I forgot to lock it properly but then it did it again and I used a velco tie wrap to make use the rear luggage pin did not come out.  I made sure the bag was locked and road my 64 miles to work and check. Seems like the spring in the latch is broken becuase the latch feel to the open position.  So now I have a latch to fix (Kaw dealer quoted me $211 and i still need to get the bag painted.   Ouch!!!

I had the left side fairing off today and learned that the the previous seller had jury rigged a few things. He had broken the left hand mirror and had welded the mirror mount.  He did not replace the mirror plastic and the nut plate is missing for where the upper inside black cover (thing next to glove box) gets attached and he had just glued a screw there.   I also have the heat deflection kit, and the upper starr screw looks like it does not screw into anything. I am hoping an expansion nut is missing. 

Also discovered that i need an upper left hand fairing.  Mine is cracked more than I knew when I picked up the bike.  It is gonna be a few things to fix up but the bike game with a upgraded windshield, two brothers racing pipe, and backrest.

[speed545]

Hi,

there s some recalls about 08 connies and the saddle bags latches are one of them. The rights latches are orange.

others recalls are for rear brake lever and head lights ajustment knobs. Im missing one i m sure 

dont know if you can have thoses performs on your bike no charge but ptobably worth a try

[VirginiaJim]

Sounds like it went down on the left side based on your description.  Visit the Wiki area for information on online parts resources and information on the recalls.  Also, when you order fairing parts, the only piece you get is the actual fairing.  You don't get any of the other parts on it like the shielding or decals.

Recall info is at http:\\www.kawasaki.com  You'll need the vin number for this.

Wiki  http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?board=28.0

Sounds like to me you haven't read any of the FAQs for this bike.  Take a few minutes to review the information there will save you hours of frustration.  You can 'pin' the bags or get Zsteve's z bars to secure the cases.  I'll post that link when I find it.

http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=5137.msg59533#msg59533
http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=1152.msg11081#msg11081
http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=1450.msg14766#msg14766

[Conrad]

Thanks a lot for the advice.  I will get the manual.  Changed mail and gear oil today.   Started to drain the coolant and thought I needed to do something else because it was just drippling out. 

Love the bike but found out I have a couple of gotcha's, one reason why the seller sold it below blue book.  My last bike was a 2008 BMW rt1200 and the only thing I liked better on the BMW was that it had a radio.

Where is the best place online to purchase parts for my connie?

The right side luggage bag came off while I was riding and got scuffed up. I thought it was me and I forgot to lock it properly but then it did it again and I used a velco tie wrap to make use the rear luggage pin did not come out.  I made sure the bag was locked and road my 64 miles to work and check. Seems like the spring in the latch is broken becuase the latch feel to the open position.  So now I have a latch to fix (Kaw dealer quoted me $211 and i still need to get the bag painted.   Ouch!!!

I had the left side fairing off today and learned that the the previous seller had jury rigged a few things. He had broken the left hand mirror and had welded the mirror mount.  He did not replace the mirror plastic and the nut plate is missing for where the upper inside black cover (thing next to glove box) gets attached and he had just glued a screw there.   I also have the heat deflection kit, and the upper starr screw looks like it does not screw into anything. I am hoping an expansion nut is missing. 

Also discovered that i need an upper left hand fairing.  Mine is cracked more than I knew when I picked up the bike.  It is gonna be a few things to fix up but the bike game with a upgraded windshield, two brothers racing pipe, and backrest.

Here's a good price on the right side bag.   http://forum.cog-online.org/index.php/topic,33904.0.html

Welcome!

[brianp]

Thanks for the tip on the recall and the bags. I went to my local kawi dealer and they said there was not any recall for the 2008 Connies.   Looks like I need to find a new local dealer to work with.   

On a positive note I took my 12 year old on a ride on Oretega Highway this weekend.  His mom finally ok'd him riding.   When we got back he said Dad, when I get older I am going to get a bike and we are gonna go on a long ride some where far.  Priceless!!!

[Conrad]

Thanks for the tip on the recall and the bags. I went to my local kawi dealer and they said there was not any recall for the 2008 Connies.   Looks like I need to find a new local dealer to work with.   

On a positive note I took my 12 year old on a ride on Oretega Highway this weekend.  His mom finally ok'd him riding.  When we got back he said Dad, when I get older I am going to get a bike and we are gonna go on a long ride some where far.  Priceless!!!

 

Get your VIN and go here, http://www.kawasaki.com/DefaultFrame.aspx?strContentURL=/SITE/VIVEHICLEINFORMATION/VICHOOSEVEHICLE.ASP

Enter your VIN and you can see what recalls are out for your bike.

[mikegy]

From the service manual. Simple procedure. Taking the plastic off is all the work.

[JerBear]

Has anyone here used Engine Ice type coolant?  Is it okay to use it in a northern climate where it may be quite cold in the winter (in storage)?

[Jeremy Mitchell]

Has anyone here used Engine Ice type coolant?  Is it okay to use it in a northern climate where it may be quite cold in the winter (in storage)?

IIRC I used about two ounces of Water Wetter added to a Honda (MC specific) pre mix coolant.  There is no change in the anti-freeze properties that I know of. 

[VirginiaJim]

http://engineice.com/prev/

It's supposed to be good down to -27F.

Something to take note of is that these bikes have a very robust cooling system.  In 5 years of ownership I've never seen the gage climb to the top most mark even in the hottest weather and stuck in traffic....and that's with traditional coolants. 

Based on what I read on site, I don't see where it would hurt to use it.  Whatever floats your boat.

[brianp]

Thanks for the VIN link.  Unfortunately nothing came up as outstanding for my bike.  Rats.  But at least I now know.

[brianp]

Sounds like it went down on the left side based on your description.  Visit the Wiki area for information on online parts resources and information on the recalls.  Also, when you order fairing parts, the only piece you get is the actual fairing.  You don't get any of the other parts on it like the shielding or decals.

Recall info is at http:\\www.kawasaki.com  You'll need the vin number for this.

Wiki  http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?board=28.0

Sounds like to me you haven't read any of the FAQs for this bike.  Take a few minutes to review the information there will save you hours of frustration.  You can 'pin' the bags or get Zsteve's z bars to secure the cases.  I'll post that link when I find it.

http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=5137.msg59533#msg59533
http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=1152.msg11081#msg11081
http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=1450.msg14766#msg14766

This has been an eye opener for sure.  I mounted the bags properly and the first time it feel off was pulling out of a gas station and I was on a road that was being resurfaced.  My computer was in the bag and it took a few bounces.  I was dismayed.  The second time I was going home after taking my daughter for a ride on ortega highway and we were on Antonio parkway, again being surfaced, and it bounced off.  My local dealer looks at me like I have seen a UFO when I explained to them the problem.  Looks like there are not any recalls on this latch anymore so I will going with one of the fixes. In the meantime, my $4 velco tie wrap from Home Depot is keeping the bags from flying off when I hit bumps.   Thanks for the advice!! Brian

[lt1]

After having a properly-installed saddlebag come off and Kawi denying the claim, I pinned the bags.