and bleeding the cooling system. I used the service manual for most part but it does not cover flushing or needed details
about the bleeding process .
Things you will need:
1. KTM 1290 Superduke R, 2 Gallons of Distilled water, Your choice of coolant. I used Motorex M5.0 coolant 3.20 L 3.38 qt. Tools from the 1290's spare tool kit.
2. A way of raising and supporting the front end 50 cm 19.7 in. This is how I did mine just stacked some 4x4's a couple old wood box steps and an
old motorcycle ramp cut under 4' to keep the rear wheel on the ground. And I used 2 motorcycle straps to help hold it securely in place.
Step 1. Start with a cool motorcycle! Remove the spoiler from both sides, we need access to the radiator cap and radiator bleed screw.
Step 2: Drain the coolant/flush the system.
Place a suitable container under the engine, locate the water pump and remove the drain screw.
Loosen the radiator cap slowly and completely drain the coolant, rocking the bike side to side then leaning it to the right
helps just be careful it's heavy. Now flush with distilled water until it comes out clear.
Put the drain screw back in and completely fill the radiator with distilled water, put the radiator cap on and tighten it.
Now start the bike to circulate the Distilled water through the system, let it warm up a little then shut it off and allow it to cool
down!
When it's cooled off just repeat Step 2 untel only clear water drains out then put the drain screw back in.
Now locate the compensating tank and pull it off toward the bottom and maneuver it out, remove the cap and
turn the compensating tank upside down to drain into the container. Pour a little distilled water into it then drain into the
container again then re mount the compensating tank.
Step 3: Raise the front of the bike 50 cm 19.7 in and secure it against rolling. 50 cm 19.7 in must be reached in order to
properly bleed the system and get all the air out!
Step 4: Adding coolant/bleeding the cooling system.
Remove the radiator cap the radiator bleed screw and the 2 bleed screws located on the cylinder heads left and
right sides of the bike then the water pump drain screw.
Right side
Left side
Step 5: Now add a little coolant untel the color draining out the water pump drain hole is the same color as going in the radiator
and without air bubbles then put the drain screw back in and tighten it.
Slowly add coolant untel it comes out the radiator bleed hole and cylinder bleed holes clear and without air bubbles. It helps
to rock the bike side to side and squeeze the coolant hoses while adding coolant to get air pockets out. When it no longer has air bubbles
put the bleed screws back in and tighten them. Now completely fill the radiator with coolant but don't put on the cap yet.
Step 6: Pull off the compensating tank again and remove the cap, add coolant until it is between the MIN and MAX
then put the cap on. Re mount the compensating tank.
Step 7: Start the bike and add coolant to the radiator as it goes down until it's full then put the cap on and tighten it, let the
bike warm up and blip the throttle a few times to help circulate the coolant. Shut the bike off, let it cool down then check and add coolant
to the radiator and compensating tank if needed.
Put the spoiler's back on clean up the mess and go for a ride! just check the coolant levels over a week or so and if no change all
should be good.
I hope this how to is helpful to someone!
The Tinkerer
