[CBR_Matt]

Hey guys, I havent been on in awhile, but have a problem and want some input. I have a 97 Smokin Joe F3 that I bought after the previous owner was in an accident with it. I fixed all the mechanical stuff and she is a strong runner now. The accident was all cosmetic, it is missing some plastic but I am the kind that it runs right and look a little bad rather than look great but not run worth a darn.

The problem I have is the temp guage. When the bike is cold and you turn the key on, the needle moves halfway up the guage. When the bike is upto running temp the needle is just at the hot line. I know the bike isnt overheating and I checked the radiator temp with a tempgun, 209 degrees on a 90 degree day Is there a way to fix this???

Maybe I should hotwire the fan just for insurance as I have NEVER heard it kick on in the year that I have owned the bike. The bike runs fine, it is just annoying.

[jase]

Without knowing the specifics of that model, it sounds like a bad coolant temperature sensor. Another possibility is a bad thermostat but if you checked everything out with a heat gun I would look more to the sensor, and especially it's electrical connection.