My curiosity got the better of me and I wanted to know what the coolant was like, Analysis required. Got the engine coolant up to 100 deg c, let it cool then dropped the hose off the water pump and the fluid gushed into a receptacle. Common glycol ethanols are either clear green or blue. This solution was opaque green, not clear green and to my pleasure there were no globules of escaped engine oil from seal interfaces. Amazingly I found two mummified insects! Glycol must be a good embalmer! No need to hydrometer it I could tell by feel and smell that the solution was strong. ( My gained experience of frost protecting external boilers and static homes). I then bunged into rad a good dose of central heating cleaner with tap water (Cura,all metal system cleaner, BES supplies mucho inexpensivo unlike named brands costing 4 x as much and same stuff! ) I have raised the cleaner flushing solution up to a 100 deg c a couple of times and left it in till I can find the time to drop it , lift the fuel tank and remove the rad for an external bathing and cleaning. I reckon the coolant circuit does not get the level of attention that other important fluid circuits do on such engines and it is really a simple task that can give vital clues as to impending doom. I will be ordering up some inexpensive distilled water for the final solution of my Cura anti freeze/ inhibitor (BES supplies) same stuff that I use to winter protect folks exposed heating circuits. Remember, Anti freeze solutions can be flammable and intelligent thought has to be given to disposing of old solutions, so it says on the container. My recent acquisition is stacking up to be a good one considering the £4k I paid for it. Robust engine, legendary race pedigree and importantly low costs in use compared to other desirable middleweight sports bikes... I will post up some piccies for you guys to drool over when I have faffed and polished it up.
I must start my own thread when I've plucked up the courage to investigate the mechanicals and maybe even ride it.