Draining coolant before freeze

[Petorius]

I switched my coolant to water/water wetter before my last track day. My bike will be in an unheated garage over the winter. Do I need to switch it back to antifreeze/water or can I just drain it? Will it drain completely if I pull the coolant drain plug and overflow reservoir hose, or do I need to do anything else to drain it completely?

Extra piece of info- I dont have a key at the moment, cant start the bike. Probably wont look into getting another one for a few weeks.

[Tricky Mike]

I'd prefer to have anti-freeze in it myself so that there's no chance of freezing, so that the seals are lubricated and so that it's not just open to the air...

[jasnmar]

I'd recommend replacing the water with antifreeze. Generally not great to leave the system open. Stuff can tend to dry out.

I'd also recommend starting it and running it for a few minutes to get the antifreeze circulated and "mixed" well with any pockets of water than might be trapped in there, but that's probably not an option.

Can you pick it up and shake it?

[KB]

I'd recommend replacing the water with antifreeze. Generally not great to leave the system open. Stuff can tend to dry out.

I'd also recommend starting it and running it for a few minutes to get the antifreeze circulated and "mixed" well with any pockets of water than might be trapped in their, but that's probably not an option.

Can you pick it up and shake it?

You could always get a couple guys to lift it!

KB

[Pigman]

I pick mine up and tip it upside down to get all the water out..........

[CBR929RE]

fill with antifreeze. tip bike over all the way you can. squeeze hoses. when you finally get a key run it up to temp, at least until the thermostat opens. I usually just run it all the way up over 200°. I like to get all the air bubbles out.

[nhbubba]

I was advised to run the bike until the t-stat kicked over. Not knowing what temp this would be at, I was advised to leave the radiator cap off. This was a bit messy, but worked.

I put 50/50 mix in, not straight antifreeze. It was the non-silica "aluminum safe" stuff that folks were recommending in another thread.

I also drained and replaced the engine oil with fresh. And topped off the gas tank with stabilized fuel. Tires are slightly over-inflated and she's up on the race stands off the floor. Oh, and the battery tender is plugged in.

Plan to swap the coolant in the street bike before long too.

[Stromper]

It will freeze expand and you will not be happy

You will have to circulate

Or cover with blankets to the floor put a 40 watt light bulb under the motor