Triumph Bonneville T120, How to change your motorcycle coolant!

The liquid cooled Bonneville is rapidly approaching 3 yrs old so its time to change the coolant!
SILKOLENE mag cool. amzn.to/2Pnnblv
Fork oil adjuster. amzn.to/2QGO6gR
PATREON. / stuartfillingham

[@bike_addict]

Thanks for the video. I just got a quote from the dealer and they asked for $195 labor to do this, so I'm gonna give it a try. Great video!

[@PeterDaniel-or8rx]

I am glad I found your videos Stuart, thanks for all your help!

[@thecraiginator]

Great video. Really appreciate all of your efforts, across the board. I've been riding for many years, but new to the Triumph family. Your vids have been invaluable both in mechanical efforts, as well as upgrades. Much appreciated, and best wishes from Texas.

[@chrisrader8547]

Used this video as a reference for changing the coolant in my Thruxton 1200 R. Super helpful. Thank you!

[@you_are_soul]

Very good choice of music to accompany the coolant flowing out. It's the small details that matter.

[@petewebb6952]

Brilliant, thank you Stuart. I bought a 3 year service plan for my March 2018 T120, so I’ll be watching out for when they change the coolant. It’s good to have your instruction videos for future reference. Ta very much, Pete

[@stuartfillingham]

your coolant change might not be covered if the service plan runs out at 3 yrs Pete, I would check!

[@ericgreenhalgh3647]

Stuart.....spot on brother. Your video was great and my 2020 T120 behaved exactly as yours did. Bravo and thank you from across the pond.

[@philliprathke5402]

Excellent video. Just changed the coolant on my 2019 Speed Twin and saved $$$$!

[@davidgallop484]

Just looked up the coolant change on your site as my bike is due coolant change , your instruction are so clear , and the only thing which would help is a low level of petrol in tank so it’s lighter to move ! Thank you Stuart ! 🎉 🎉 13:53

[@stuartfillingham]

You're welcome!

[@tinks43]

Top job as always Stuart 👍🏻

[@jonathandavies390]

Thanks Stuart this method worked a treat on my Thruxton R the only real difference is the expansion tank on the Thruxton R is on the righthand side of the engine hidden behind the alloy sprocket cover

[@stevebetts3208]

Great! Just about to do this job on my Street Twin. Useful tip about not removing fuel lines and connectors as suggested in Haynes.

[@richandrose6348]

Appreciate the video. Nice, clear, concise. I'll be doing this prior to fall coming on.

[@Bigbaldybear]

Very helpful that Stuart, thanks. Just changed mine on my T120.

[@Godmode-doomslay]

Followed this today was a great help for a complete novice. Thank you

[@stuartfillingham]

Glad it helped!

[@hopgood007]

Another fantastic video Stu. Many thanks for such an informative and well-timed film sir.

[@stuartfillingham]

Thank you Paul! nice to see your back!

[@Rosakru]

Perfect. I'll get on this this week. 🏍️ Thanks matey.

[@josephlosness1825]

Great video Stuart! Very informative and concise. 👍🏍🇬🇧

[@1shoe]

Good information there Stuart..! Enjoyed!

[@WayneWoodruff]

Very helpful, I will tackle this on my own

[@scottj8791]

Reading the procedure is great, but there's nothing like a proper demonstration. Thanks.

[@stuartfillingham]

As soon as someone posts a proper demonstration Scott, ill let you know! lol

[@scottj8791]

@@stuartfillingham 😁

[@karenrice9538]

You make the job look easy, going to give it a try. Thanks!

[@stuartfillingham]

It is easy Karen!

[@stever5641]

Thanks Stuart - I used this as a guide for changing the coolant in my 2016 Street Twin. Your instructions were much clearer than those in Haynes and the Triumph Tritun service manual. As always I enjoyed the commentary.

[@taix371]

Agreed! I looked at the Haynes manual and watching this video really made it all come together.

[@BallsDeep189]

Thanks v much Stuart. super clear video. Off to do my Thruxton 1200 R now :)

[@davidcobham3136]

Great advice and good clear instructions 👍

[@PauloWillers]

Thanks for sharing the T120 material!!

[@lasseh1576]

"You are a motorcycleling God and can use whatever you like." Classic!

[@CoachBob3]

Great job Stu!! Thanks for this video and your attention to detail...

[@stuartfillingham]

Your very welcome Bob thank you for watching sir!

[@markpatch7873]

Great video and very informative. Thank you!

[@iamcaferacer]

Doing this today, thanks for the video

[@peterford9369]

Makes me glad I have the air cooled version of bonneville. My old VMAX wasn't as hard as this. Thanks for mentioning that coolant is poison to the little ones. Take care me friend.

[@j.d.mcginn6946]

Thanks Mate! From the US!

[@skylerwoolf9203]

Very helpful! Thank you!!!

[@saulovilanova2184]

Thank you very much for this video!

[@ripmax333]

Nice, I will do this on my Street Twin. Thanks!

[@klklkl427586]

8:48 that dry delivery made me laugh more than normal

[@chrisbolwell2902]

Hi Stuart Have just done my coolant on the T120 oops 5.5 years , final cold check to do this morning. I left my manual in Uk bike imported now in Perth 🇦🇺 . Great videos fro you of how to do jobs supersede the manual anyway 🤔👍.

[@Rob801]

Haha, glad I saw your comment, now I don't feel as bad approaching the four year mark :)... at least my bike is garaged and only has 8k miles on it. I Will be doing this this weekend, along with my second oil change (well third counting the initial service the dealer did after break in).

[@erickleonard5863]

Just adding my thanks in as well!

[@scothunter3221]

Great video - easier than I had expected! However you don't need to apologize so much - you're starting to sound like a Canadian! 😉

[@ArtTheTractor]

Thanks Stuart. Used it as a baseline for a coolant change on a Street Scrambler. Anyone else doing it on a Street Scramber - I recommend you remove the factory bash plate first for easier access to the rubber hose running from the bottom of the radiator to the engine. Also, having low fuel level makes moving the fuel tank easier. Finally - in the US - Valvoline Zerex G-05 is a HOAT ethylene glycol-based coolant that contains silicates, nitrites, and borates, but which is free of phosphates and amines, and as such is a good replacement for HD4X coolant standard in Triumph motorcycles.

[@michaeldonaghy4703]

Just did my my street scrambler, always the best videos. How long did it take your fan to start up? Mine took 25 minutes at 14 degrees outside.

[@ArtTheTractor]

@@michaeldonaghy4703it was shorter for me, but it was a warm day

[@malcolmemsley5909]

Great vid Stuart. I have just done mine on the T120 and followed your instructions to the letter and using Magcool. One thing that may be worth you adding is the expansion tank, I knew this was full when it came gishing out of the neck (thought it was taking a lot) I am older 67 yrs and specs wearer but I am not that bad, I can barely see the level through that thick white plastic reservoir Triumph have fitted....its awful. I sucked it out with a seringe and I think it is just above min but I can barely see it. I will move the bike into a different light and check later although the tank is in direct good sunlight at the moment on this lovely sunny day. Keep at it Stuart ...Dont know what we would do without you.

[@michaelevans1658]

You give me the confidence to do all fluids myself next time ,the Triumph looks fairly easy to work on .Either that or your making it look easy Stuart .

[@stuartfillingham]

It is very easy Mike!

[@marekryszard]

I've watched MANY of your videos. I appreciate your thoroughness & attention to detail. I own a 2022 Bonnie T120. I'm an ex-pat Brit living in beautiful Southern California. Where in particular is your accent from? Keep bringing us awesome tutorials !!

[@laudemirbraz3947]

Ótimo vídeo, não encontrei nada no Brasil que falasse sobre isso, parabéns.

[@ronaldwaddell3135]

Well done.

[@Lame_He]

Great video but I definitely recommend using vise grips to get those clamps off of the hose. I was using needle nose pliers for about an hour and then use the vise grips and it took me 5 minutes

[@TheAlexcutting]

evening Stuart, could you point me in the direction where you find your torque values is there a place to find a manual better than the owners handbooks on the triumph website. as i feel it is lacking a lot of detail. id like something that shows all the part numbers and like 3D exploded models of the different parts of the bike. like on world of triumph website. however i find their parts to be extremely expensive. could you give me some advice on where to find this information please. many thanks

[@chadmock5883]

Thank you for the video. I’m curious if you have a brake flushing video up for these. Brake fluid comes up at about two year mark.

[@stuartfillingham]

yes chad I did it a few weeks ago if you would care to have a look!

[@yorkshireteaahhhnice1417]

Hi Stuart ,on the right hand side just above the fake points cover there’s something that looks like a bleed screw is that correct ? Cheers

[@freddiegorman4562]

Hi Stuart. How long does it take for the radiator fan to kick in? I have left my street scrambler for approx. 15 mins on idle and did not kick in. May this be be cause for concern and a expensive trip to the dealer coming up.... Thanks Freddie

[@cdanegelis11]

I changed my coolant in the spring. I haven’t noticed my fan going on really. I’m not sure if it has something to do with my x-pipe. Any thoughts. I have to test it at idle today when I get home from work

[@abhisheknair2857]

After much digging around found zerex valvoline g48 compatible here since triumph discontinued their coolant and thats green in color.(hoat low phosphate) I popped open my speedmaster and found a pink coolant.. Wondering if i should do some kind of draining prior to using this different colored one?

[@leonardogastmann6416]

I believe this video would also apply to the Bobber since they have the same engine?! Also can I use any coolant brand as long as it follows the chemical element prescribed by Triumph? Here in the US Silkolene is a bit more expensive now. Thanks, Stuart!!

[@abhisheknair2857]

Wondering if there's a recommended coolant to use in North America/Canada? Magcool isn't available here..😔

[@user-dm3up5cp6p]

Love the video...I have a 2022 T100 and coolant is low. Problem is, they don't make the HD4X anymore in the US. Need to use the D2053, which can't be mixed with factory coolant. Therefore, need to flush the system. Curious...is it ok to fill system with water and run for a couple minutes to ensure ALL of the old coolant runs out?

[@stuartfillingham]

Yes its fine!

[@raygoodreid5222]

Hi Stuart once again a very informative video , I know it was awhile ago you did this and I’m just about to do mine , when you got to the flushing part did you flush the header tank as well or just down from the top hole under the tank . Many thanks Ray

[@stuartfillingham]

From the header!

[@raygoodreid5222]

stuart fillingham thank you very much just waiting for the last drips to come out before filling her up. You have always been a great help

[@Illnews]

I recently saw my coolant reservoir was completely empty and as I had to ride my Bonneville another 80 miles to get home and was nervous I put in some Castrol Motorcycle coolant to . That was available. However looking at the bottle it notes “for us on all motorcycles but do not use for Magnesium alloy engines” does anyone know if Bonneville T120 has Magnesium alloy engine? Regardless I will be replacing the coolant using this video, so thank you!

[@powek100]

Just changed cooling on my T120 2016. Would not have tried if did not see this video. Question, how long normally till fan comes on? I only ever saw my fan came on when ran low on coolant. Temperature of oil normally is 80-90C

[@Rob801]

I put this off but am getting ready to do it this weekend on my late 18' T120... has anyone tried "Red line Supercool"? The Silkolene isn't readily available in my area (or US amazon). It says (among other things): “Satisfies ASTM D2570 and ASTM D1384 corrosion tests for glycol-based antifreezes” and “Designed for use with all modern aluminum, cast iron, copper, brass and bronze cooling systems”

[@TheAlexcutting]

thanks stuart this video is really helpful. i am from lincolnshire not to far from you and also have a T120 also. i am planning on servicing it myself however i am a little unsure. how to adjust and check the chain is at the right tension and correct. could you produce a video for this or link me one. many thanks

[@stuartfillingham]

Hi Alex, I have already published a video on chain adjustment and how to replace the chain, if you look for my playlist on caring for your bike you will find them both there!

[@TheAlexcutting]

been watching these videos this morning. going to give the Muc off products i try. just ordered some. My t120 is my first bike and during my first month i took it to south italy and back on a road trip. unfortanely at the time i was unaware of how important caring for your chain is . your videos are extremely useful and informative. to a young rider like myself. thanks Stuart.

[@rajm2309]

Is it the same for the Bobber?

[@renerodriguez6697]

how many quarts is need it?

[@chrisbolton2500]

Liquid cooling.........dont you just love it!

[@jameshampton6554]

easy to listen to

[@stevenhill6214]

Excellent tuition. Been considering this one, and because my bike is low mileage, is the coolant life dependant on mileage or age?

[@stuartfillingham]

Yes steve coolant is affected by both age and mileage, though its impossible to give any definitive answers as to when it will expire, as its dependant on the usage and conditions of the machine. if in any doubt change early!

[@alexanderodonnell1799]

thanks m8

[@janzienkiewicz5295]

Great video Stuart....a thought , back in the early 80s I had a Triumph Dolomites Sprint which was a car known for running very very hot . A fix was to put very pure water in it so that it had a higher boiling point than usual tap water with associated impurities . As the T120 runs rather hot is there a product on the market for engines that run hot? Like I said, just a thought 🤔😁

[@stuartfillingham7011]

Hi Jan yeah this silkolene is premixed and has a higher boiling point than water so it cools more efficiently!

[@OldManTony]

Stuart Fillingham Ability to cool has nothing to do with boiling point, it is to do with the specific heat capacity of the liquid. Water alone is much better than glycols, however we need the glycols to prevent freezing! Like everything in life it is a compromise.

[@chrisbolwell2902]

I used silkolene, the proof is in the pudding, I waited for goodness how long before I finally heard the fan on the T120 kick in , much longer than previous start ups to fan even in cold weather in 🇬🇧, bike now in Perth 🇦🇺 and it’s defo warmer here😎?

[@chrisbolwell2902]

Also nothing is likely to freeze in Western Australia I’m no expert but the anti corrosion properties in the mix is surely worth it , Silkolene ….I’m a convert now

[@tihj3182]

The clamps on the radiator tube are next to impossible to loosen up. Any tips?

[@powek100]

I used a vice grips, simple

[@alfs3]

stu, I know this is 5 years old but what year is your T120?

[@BobC777]

13:15 "boffins" - a new word for this Colonial. Boffin is a British slang term for a scientist, engineer, or other person engaged in technical or scientific research and development. A "boffin" was generally viewed by the regular services as odd, quirky or peculiar, though quite bright and essential to helping in the war effort.

[@stuartfillingham]

And very appropriate Bob, slikolenes parent company, were involved in the development of the Merlin engine for use in the Spitfires in WW2. they were the first to develop a fully synthetic engine lubricant for aircraft use, decades ahead of the other big oil companies!

[@Supercruze]

Stuart - Thanks so much for this video. How timely. I am due for a coolant change on my Thruxton R in the Spring. I had resigned myself to taking it to the dealer but this video gives me the confidence I can do this maintenance myself. With regard to the coolant, is the Silkolene Magcool premixed coolant and distilled water? I did not hear any mention of this in your video. It used to be you had to mix coolant and distilled water at a 50/50 mix in order to make the coolant effective. As always, thanks for your videos and the valuable information.

[@stuartfillingham]

Thank you very much Mr Cruze, its premixed sir you just put it in as it is, do not mix anything with it! You will need 2x1ltr bottles and should have about half a bottle left over for top up or for next time!

[@jowen85]

Just been talking to local Triumph and they tell me to only put in the minimum level because of expansion... Street Twin 900... I can't believe they said it to be honest. Why have a max/min Level If the max is the minimum?

[@turbomatic73]

Is the process essentially the same for the T100?

[@stuartfillingham]

yes

[@rcsv54]

How many Triumphs do you have? I think I have seen 3

[@stuartfillingham]

yes I have 3!

[@wickedcoolname399]

I just changed the oil in my 2018 T120 that I bought new in 2019. The dealer did the first service at 500 miles and now I'm at 4200 a year later. My question is regarding the drain plug washer. The one I removed was aluminum and 3mm thick. The pack of 12 washers that I ordered are only 1.6 mm thick. Six of the twelve that came in the pack are copper and six are aluminum. They are each the correct 14 mm diameter but half the thickness of the one I removed. I installed one of the 1.6 thick aluminum new washers. I tourqued it to spec and all is well. No leaks, no drips, .. everything seems fine. Do you think the torque spec would change based on washer thickness? I guess I'm being overly cautious, as is my nature. I'm just curious what others might think.

[@markmasztal2253]

And for those of us who have air-cooled bikes...well we don't have to do this...bit I do have to empty and replace oil in my engine, transmission and final drive.

[@terrywootton8882]

Air cooled and shaft drive. Simple and good.

[@markmasztal2253]

@@terrywootton8882 That's my Ural.

[@sait33]

👍❤️🙏

[@pauliebots]

Air is my coolant.

[@jpnrc1985]

Couldn’t remove the bottom radiator hose clip. I was on their way too tight so I had to stop because I was concerned I wouldn’t be able to get back on. Big pain in the ass

[@marekryszard]

Where is your accent from?

[@keeganbrown2644]

Anyone else have an insanely hard time reading how much coolant is in the reservoir?

[@danielsantiago9719]

Hi, Keegan. I tried to read by putting a light against the lower portion of the reservoir... It helped...

[@paulharris3149]

Stick to air cooled engines