After reading several accounts of the coolant filter in the supply line to the carbs melting and leaking. I'm wondering if the coolant is an absolute necessity? Is the coolant there to warm the carbs in the winter or cool them in the summer(pretty unlikely I think)? It doesn't normally get cold enough here for carb icing to be a problem so why not disconnect the coolant and eliminate the plumbing, lowering the risk of springing a leak.
Anybody done this?

 

Bump!

Nobody?

 

I guess if the bike didn't need them then they wouldn't be there. I didn't do any research on it though so maybe somebody with a bit more experience will help out here.

 

No, you don't, most of the time. They are to heat the carbs in really cold weather.

A properly tuned 650 will start and run as good as any quad in cold weather. The heater helps prevent ice forming inside the carb and manifold when running in cold weather.

I don't think people in New Mexico Need that.

Since I live in NY (upstate) I am going to leave mine attached. If I move to phoenix, it is coming off.

 

Thanks Nyroc. I kind of figured their only purpose was to avoid carb icing.
Next question; Can you just plug em or do you need to maintain flow through the lines? In other words will plugging them have any affect on the rest of the cooling system? I think there is a flow diagram for the cooling system in the service manual but I don't have access to it right now.

 

Plugging them will cause a slight increase in cooling effiency.