VLX Coolant Overflow Question...

[mister44]

Bobbing my first VLX and I'm thinking of good coolant overflow tank replacements. I've read that the overflow tank needs a small hole so that it isn't pressurized. But I see a lot of pics of people using Jack Daniel's bottles and I'm really digging' that...but do people drill a hole in the glass near the top or something? I'm not sure how people are doing this exactly. Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!

[DustyDave]

Just need a tube that runs to within 1/4" of the bottom or ends in a 45 degree angle or sharper touching the bottom and a vent hole in the cap. I thought that this Sapporo can was kinda unusual.
https://<a href="http://s657.photobu...d84.jpg"/></a>
Dusty

[mister44]

Thanks for the help Dusty...do you know anyone that has used something like this?

http://www.weapon-r.com/products/2045-coolant-catch-tank-honda-ruckus-coolant-catch-can-w-o-viewer

...and that Sapporo can is a little more than unusual haha

[DustyDave]

Thanks for the help Dusty...do you know anyone that has used something like this?

http://www.weapon-r.com/products/2045-coolant-catch-tank-honda-ruckus-coolant-catch-can-w-o-viewer

...and that Sapporo can is a little more than unusual haha

I cant tell from that ad if its a vented overflow catch and return or a pressurised part of the active coolant system like lots of modern cars use. As long at it sucks up the coolant from the bottom and is vented it will work. First one I ever saw was a Coors can wired to the overflow pipe on a 57 Chevy.
Dusty
Dusty

[mister44]

Thanks for the insight Dusty, I'lll look into it more...really appreciate it!

[kiwibob]

Don't know if you can get these state side but I used an old copper pyrene fire extinguisher
Gave it a hearty wash then threw some left over gas tank sealer in it just to cover over any left over nasty shit

[sdustin]

Antique liquor bottle. craddle made from sheet metal and rivits, mine works fine got 1k miles like this no issues.

[darcnic]

I'm thinking of this as well. Got a small Gentleman Jack bottle thats dying to get installed. Any issue with mounting it to the front of the radiator?

[EVILBLACKSABRE]

I would never use a glass bottle for a coolant reserve. Both I and my bikes have been hit by enough rocks while riding on the freeway to imagine what can happen if a rock hits a glass bottle. I have plenty of chips and dings in my forks to remind me. I also have plenty of dings in my radiator from my own front tire kicking up small rocks.

[darcnic]

Noted Evil, thanks for the advice. Back to the drawing board...

[sdustin]

My glass bottle has 3.5k miles on it. Not busted yet.

[Joel1999]

This is my overflow bottle, spent about $11



This is a video with a parts list......

list.https://youtu.be/ZU58Ls7puCE

[Joel1999]

[ch33zy]

Getting it running.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]82033[/ATTACH]

Two questions: the video is amazing in showing the steps but I didn’t see the tuning inside the bottle. I assume you ran a section of tuning to the bottom of the bottle to pickup coolant for return.
Secondly, did you add a small amount of coolant to the overflow bottle to get the system “started”, or is it ready to run after simply attaching it to the bike?

[Exit39]

Don't know if you can get these state side but I used an old copper pyrene fire extinguisher
Gave it a hearty wash then threw some left over gas tank sealer in it just to cover over any left over nasty shit

LOVE that fire extingusher dude!

To the OP, I did not vent mine and have had no problems at all for years. But there may be a slight gap between the o-ring and copper tubing I used to.

Old pic


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