Okay, so the other day I noticed a small puddle of clear liquid under my motorcycle after a ride. At first, I brushed it off, thinking it was just some water from the road or something. But then it happened again, and again. That’s when I decided to take a closer look.
I got down on my hands and knees and inspected the underside of my bike. I didn’t see any obvious leaks or drips. The liquid was clear and odorless, so I figured it wasn’t oil or gas. That left me scratching my head. Could it be brake fluid? That seemed unlikely, but I checked the brake lines anyway – nothing.
Next, I turned my attention to the cooling system. I popped open the radiator cap (carefully, since the engine was still warm) and peeked inside. The coolant level looked fine. I followed the hoses from the radiator to the engine, feeling for any wet spots or loose connections. Still nothing.
- The drain plug was my next suspect.
- I located it on the bottom of the radiator and gave it a good once-over.
- It was tight and dry.
- So much for that theory.
The Investigation Continues
I was starting to get a little frustrated. I knew something wasn’t right, but I just couldn’t pinpoint the source of the leak. I decided to take a break and do some research online. I typed “clear liquid under motorcycle” into the search bar and started reading through forums and articles.
Most of what I found pointed to condensation from the air conditioning system. But my bike doesn’t have AC! Then I stumbled upon a post that mentioned something called the “overflow tank.” Apparently, when the coolant gets too hot, it can expand and overflow into this tank. And sometimes, the tank can develop a leak.
That sounded promising! I went back to my bike and located the overflow tank. And there it was – a small crack near the bottom. The clear liquid I had been seeing was indeed coolant, but it was only leaking out when the engine got hot and the pressure built up.
I ended up ordering a new overflow tank online. It was a cheap and easy fix. I replaced the old tank and haven’t had a leak since. It’s a good reminder to always pay attention to even the smallest things. I learned my lesson.
