Do you really need the rad overflow jug?

[Kintore]

hey guys,

my 85 250r cap is messed up and keeps popping out of the lil hole for the jug. And since its empty anyways all the time and no under any type of pressure I should be able to lose the hose and just thread it somewhere so if it does overflow ill be able to tell?

Anyone does this? not running one? or what?

[Nick_R_23]

My 250r doesnt have one, I bought it like that. Ive never had a problem or lost any coolant, but Id still like to put a bottle on there eventually just to be safe.

-Nick :TrikesOwn

[badasskfx]

the bottle allows for exspansion of the fluid. if you do not have it at some point your coolant will be low.

[Tri-Z Pilot]

Yeah basically if you run a little hot the expanding fluid has somewhere to go, I took the one off my old z. As long as you keep an eye on the fluid level you'll be alright.

[Kintore]

Well, if it needs to go somewhere why not just flow out somewhere? Like tie the hose so it drips on my pipe so I can tell? The thing has never had any fluid in it all year from my motor,

so technically I can cut it off and tie the hose somewhere if I keep an eye on the fluid level

[Tri-Z Pilot]

That's what I did. I suppose routing it over the pipe so you can smell it wouldnt be a bad Idea, but I dont know how effective that would be.
You could also get a tiny clear bottle (one that wont melt), and mount it right behind the rad on the right side behind one of the holes on the scoop so you can look in from time to time to see if you losing fluid.

[DeePa]

just buy a new cap and that little piece from honda. theyre cheap and itll fix all of your problems.

[Kintore]

Id like to get rid of it to be honest

[overdressed1]

What usualy happens with overflow bottles is that when the motor heats up and the fluid expands it flows into the bottle,
then when the motor cools down again the fluid gets sucked back into the system.
With no overflow bottle air would get sucked in and your coolant level would be low.
The radiator cap must be sealing and working properly for this to happen and there can be no other leaks in the cooling system.

[Kintore]

Funny thing is, my plastic cap that comes from the line. The lil plastic insert peice is broke and flops around just over the cap. Been like this for a long time. No issues and rad was always up.

I dunno, maybe im going crazy

[Tri-Z Pilot]

Is the overflow on the 250R a recovery type system? I though it only went to the overflow then that was it, no recovery back into the radiator. If your running the right rad cap and not overheating the thing you'll be fine.

[Red Rider]

The lil plastic insert peice is broke and flops around just over the cap. Been like this for a long time. No issues and rad was always up.Kintore, in your situation, the overflow bottle is still functioning properly, but what is broken is the overflow bottle's overflow line. Basically, when your overflow bottle gets full, it will piss all over itself, instead of routing the overflow through the hose to the ground.

[Rustytinhorn]

Red Rider is correct. The little plastic cap you are talkin about does nothing but hold the tube to direct the coolant incase of an overflow. If you dont run the little cap and tube, then you will get sand and dirt into your resevior, wich will in turn get sucked into your rads, and that would be bad.
Yes, it is a recovery system and operates like a couple of the guys already explained with heating and cooling of the system.
It is a lot easier to look at you resevior bottle to check your coolant level than to pull off the radiator cap everytime. If you want to be able to detect when your coolant overflows or is boiling from an overheated engine, then route the overflow tube from the resevior so it will spill onto the silencer when it spits out. This way you can smell it, and see the steam.

Edit- It shouldn't normally overflow, but if you overheat it and it starts to boil, you will know for sure, especially if its directed onto the silencer.

[brapp]

i dont have then on my r's for the reason i woudl rather see steam comgin of fthe exaust then blow a motor from runnign it too hard and not knowing but i have a few extra bottle sif you want the system.

[Kintore]

Nah I think im going to ditch it and route the hose over the exhaust so I can tell. Thanks for all your help guys!

[torker]

None of my machines have or had one (since 86').
If you wanna get rid of it, go ahead. Just keep an eye on your system.

TORKER.

[NOS_350X]

All my bikes have that, Route it so it goes on the pipe. You will get a ton of steem and then you know your coolent will be low. Just rember when you fill it all the way to the top it will puke some just from normal heating. Looks better without it and less weight HA HA.

[Mosh]

Sounds like you already made up your mind,Kintore.

But I would think twice with that 265 powervalve engine in there.
It will run hotter than a stock 250R,and quite honestly,that 5 dolloar overflow jug aint worth roasting that badazz engine.
Just my 2 cents.
If you dont like where it is,you could re-locate it,maybe in the airbox.Make your own jug out of a small container.It does not need to be that large.A banshee or tri-z bottle would prolly fit nicely in the airbox and be hidden.

[Dirtcrasher]

Sounds like you already made up your mind,Kintore.

But I would think twice with that 265 powervalve engine in there.
It will run hotter than a stock 250R,and quite honestly,that 5 dolloar overflow jug aint worth roasting that badazz engine.
Just my 2 cents.
If you dont like where it is,you could re-locate it,maybe in the airbox.Make your own jug out of a small container.It does not need to be that large.A banshee or tri-z bottle would prolly fit nicely in the airbox and be hidden.


GOOD POINTS, that resevoir empty can't weigh a pound....

I must admit though, I owned an 85 R for awhile and rode it. I never saw that dam bottle have a drop of coolant in it and I never had overheating or anything.

BUT, might be the time of year too. It's not 100 degrees in too many places right now. Maybe you don't need the bottle in mild temps but do ya think the hotter climates require it??

[NOS_350X]

BUT, might be the time of year too. It's not 100 degrees in too many places right now. Maybe you don't need the bottle in mild temps but do ya think the hotter climates require it??

Ive rode in 110-125 degree and never have had a problem. But thats a banshee also. Here is my thing, what was the last dirbike you saw with one? And a dirbike is a hotter engine stock for stock comapred to our trikes.

[Red Rider]

Here is my thing, what was the last dirbike you saw with one? And a dirbike is a hotter engine stock for stock comapred to our trikes.A dirt bike is also a LOT lighter and not working nearly as hard as our 3-wheelers to get around.