I've got an old VT500 EF which is overheating. There's no sign of any leaks from the hoses and the radiator cap looks ok. I'm no mechanic but am told if it was a head gasket I'd have white smoke coming from the exhaust which I don't, and if it was the water pump I'd probably hear it making a noise and when I rev the engine with the rad cap off if the pump's working I should be able to see the coolant drop slightly in the rad; all seems ok there. I don't think there's an air lock in the system and am at a loss for what to try next. Don't get to technical with any replies. What I know about mechanics I could write on a postage stamp, what I don't know I could fill a library with. Any ideas please would be appreciated.                                                                                                                                                                             

Take out the thermostat if that fails to keep it cool flush rad with radflush you could have some or all of the rad clogged with gunge                                                                                                                                                                             

Thanks JP, I'll give it a go tomorrow.                                                                                                                                                                              

warm the bike up and turn it off. feel all over the rad and if it's blocked you should feel some cold areas. thermostat sounds favorite. not good to leave it out long term but defo remove and see if it cures the fault. check oil for signs of water(milky white) good luck.                                                                                                                                                                             

is the cooling fan cutting in when it gets hot could be something as simple as fan gone or switch gone. If the fan isn't working join the wires at the switch together and if it works then you have a faulty switch. the switch is in the side off the radiator

Thanks folk. I'll be having another go at it tomorrow.                                                                                                                                                                             

Well it's now cool while moving which is good enough for me in the short term. Now planning a route to Kiss avoiding the M6 just in case I have to stop. See you all at the weekend.                                                                                                                                                                              

I have a vt500 aswell so i'll have a look at it at kiss if it's cooling while moving it sounds like a fan problem as mine only needs the fan when in slow traffic                                                                                                                                                                             

Cheers mate, that would be great. The fan isn't coming on but never has while moving. Until this morning it was overheating while moving as well so I blasted the hose pipe through the radiator; lol. Rode it and it maintained temperature but no anti freeze in it now. I'm reluctant to drain it again to put anti freeze in this close to the rally when it appears to be working.

It will be fine simon I will bring a muti tester aswell so you can check out the wiring
                                                                                                                                                                             

Cheers JP. Note to self, buy air cooled next time.
                                                                                                                                                                             

problem with air cooled is you don't know when they're too hot until they sieze                                                                                                                                                                             

Vlad You do with a Harley you get dry roasted nuts and thay dont come in a bag