Radiator draining at Cold temperatures?

[Racey Rider]

With race bikes not having anti freeze in their radiators, At what outside overnight temperature would it be wise to drain the water out so it doesn't freeze and crack things?
Anyone had that happen to them?

Yes I know you can buy 'Special' Fluid thats race track approved. But what about for straight water? Does anybody bother draining it overnight?

[sAsLEX]

Keep the lid off/loose so if it does expand it has somewhere to go?!

Keep the bike in the house.

[merv]

Trouble is its freezing in the engine castings that going to wreck the engine even if the radiator cap is off as ice don't flow too well. So what's the go here are you storing your bikes outside?

Water freezes at zero so best you don't leave them outside at anything less than 3 - 4 deg I'd say to be safe. Otherwise chuck a cover over the bike and perhaps a separate blanket over the engine. Then you shouldn't need to drain.

[k14]

With race bikes not having anti freeze in their radiators, At what outside overnight temperature would it be wise to drain the water out so it doesn't freeze and crack things?
Anyone had that happen to them?

Yes I know you can buy 'Special' Fluid thats race track approved. But what about for straight water? Does anybody bother draining it overnight?

Come on, you live in New Plymouth ffs. I've left the water in my rs in a cold dark shed all winter with no hesitations. Last thursday it was -9 down here. Its never going to get cold enough up there for it to happen.

On a side note, get some nulon green radiator stuff (forget its name, get it from supercheap). Prevents rust developing in the system. I was told to do it on the rs cause the impellers for the water pump can rust and some have even rusted out. Also good for a degree or two of freezing temp.

[Motu]

The green inhibitor you buy is made up of 2 or more compounds - there is an antifreeze and a corrosion inhubitor...a lubricant too.What don't the racing people want on their track? Make up you own,leaving out the bit that creates the issue.That's what the trucking companies do,make their own.

[Racey Rider]

Is i live in NP. But will be in Feilding tomorrow night with no where to keep the bike but outside. Just seeing what other peoples thoughts were.

They don't want the slippery stuff spread over the track in a crash.

[Motu]

So WHAT is the slippery stuff??!! Don't just say inhibitor,find out what compound is not wanted,and make your own minus the bad stuff.

[merv]

I thought it was the ethylene glycol they don't like.

[k14]

I thought it was the ethylene glycol they don't like.

Yeah thats what I was lead to believe it was too. I got the special race formula rust inhibitor in my bikes and that seems to do the trick nicely.

[merv]

Isn't it covered in your MNZ rules somewhere? Having not held a competition licence since 1985 I'm not up with the play these days.

[merv]

Found this from MNZ in relation to Motards so suppose that is the same for all road racing:

"Radiator liquid coolant permitted is water, a no-glycol based additives may be added". Slightly odd English but I think its saying additives without glycol are fine.

That was in this circular http://www.motorcyclingnz.co.nz/download/June_2006.pdf

[svs]

10-13-2 Ethylene Glycol is banned from use in road race radiators.


There are plenty of 'water wetter' or other non glycol based corrasion inhibitors out there. I doubt the NI gets cold enough for you to worry about the water freezing.

[Racey Rider]

Thanks for your input all.

Sorry to those that found this to be one of those 'MotorBike related questions' that got in the way of your KB enjoyment.