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am getting ready to change the fluids on the falco, and - even though i see no need to do it, am thinking of changing /draining the radiators

any preferences of suitable antifreeze etc?

(or, if not broken, why fix it??)

i'd test it first to see if it was ok and leave it if it is,before running the risk of air locks and so on.the testers with disk's in are cheap enough and reliable and will test the different types of antifreeze.

Aladinsaneuk wrote:am getting ready to change the fluids on the falco,

Why when you post this up do I get an image in my mind of your Falco attached to one of these? ......

ah

I go for the "dip the finger in and taste it test" if it tastes sweet, then it is ok....

Aladinsaneuk wrote:ah

I go for the "dip the finger in and taste it test" if it tastes sweet, then it is ok....

That'll indicate a glucose drip rather than a saline drip I guess

I did this a couple of months back, like you just for the sake of it, and had no issues at all with air locks, just needed to burp the system as advised in the manual.

I used Engine Ice so far so good. Dunno if you can get it in the UK though.

and lol at the IVI image.... I guess I had not thought of that :)

I think I will just check the levels etc and then see

Last night I started to turn some of my paypal funds into assorted filters etc....

I am still considering iridium plugs - but that was mainly because some people claim a BHP increase - and personally I think that is bollocks but.....

Any tips on re-filling the coolant system would be welcome here!

IF... Aprilia Yorkshire ever send me my fecking coolant pipes which I ordered at the end of August!!!

I just followed the instructions in the manual and all was well.

I did think that the topping up point seems well below the ballance tube between the rad's but there was no problem.

Not done the Falco yet but never had a problem bleeding any other bikes. The manual should tell you all of the bleed points and the the order to bleed them in.

As for the state of the coolant, I have always worked on every 2 years, same as brake fluid, but let colour be a guide - if it is murky or cloudy then that would be a good time to think about changing it. Any decent antifreeze should do the job as long as it's designed for aluminum engines, so don't get the really cheap stuff. The last bike I did was my 'crosser which has a very small cooling system (less than 1 litre) for weight reasons and used Halfords own brand stuff with no overheating problems.

I did the my old Falco with Tesco pre-mixed antifreeze.

I followed Kens guide and was very very easy to do, a couple of burps of the system and voila!

Here it is:-

Coolant Change Procedure, Aprilia Falco SL1000

Just did this Friday so it is still fresh in my mind. The first thing I do is either go for a ride or start and let it idle for a bit while you remove plastics. You want to get the motor hot enough to open the thermostat. Put the bike on a rear stand if you have one. Remove the chin cowl and both side panels to give you better access to the radiators. I take two disposable aluminum baking pans and place them under the raditors drain bolts. It helps if you find something to get them closer to the radiators (small box, blocks of woods, etc.). Remove the drain bolts first, the antifreeze should flow out slowly. Now open up the cooling system fill cap under the gas tank. The coolant will now come out at a good pace. When the coolant stops dripping empty the coolant reservoir. On the bottom of it you will see a drain tube. It is kinda of a PITA to reroute so I cut the crimped hose fitting off and replaced it with a worm gear type. This allows me to just unscrew the clamp and remove the line from the tank. I might be anal about this but I measure how much came out so I can see if any is left in the bike. Should be 84 ounces total.

To refill replace all hoses and drain plugs. Get a long neck funnel to place in the filler. I premeasure what I am going to put in also it makes it easier. Start to fill the funnel very very slowly you have to give the air in system to percolate out. When I get about half the coolant in I start the bike for a few seconds to allow it circulate through the system. Fill some more but keep about two cups or so back. When you can't add anymore in the filler place the remaining coolant in the reservoir. Bring the level between the min / max line on the reservoir line from the engine. Button up all filler opening and you shoud be good to go.

F9

Just come at the right time for me this thread thinking of doing this. Thanks everyone

It's now a shiny new PDF doc in my Falco folder