APRILIA ATLANTIC 500, Workshop Manual

Page: 54 / 170

Routine maintenance operations
chap. 2
Release 00 2002-09
2-25
Atlantic 500
2
STEERING CONTROL
Carefully read MAINTENANCE.
You should occasionally check for any play in the
steering.
To check:
Place the vehicle on the center stand.
NOTE
Make sure the support is high and broad
enough to support the vehicle safely.
• Inserting an absorbent cloth, arrange the support
under the vehicle so that the front wheel can move
freely and the vehicle is protected against falling.
• Start the engine.
• The circuit air bubbles out from the transparent
rubber pipe (2).
• Check that the pipe connected to the radiator
expansion tank is spilling fluid into the expansion
tank (it can be seen from the front side). This
means that the thermostatic valve is open and the
circuit is filled up.
• Close the bleeder nipple.
NOTE
The fact that the electric cooling fan switches
on is not indicative, since the sensor which triggers
the fan is fitted to the cylinder head and not to the
radiator.
2
• Connect a transparent rubber pipe (2) between
the bleeder and the expansion tank.
• Open the bleeder nut (3) by half a turn.
• Fill the expansion tank (4) with coolant until it
reaches the max. mark (this can be seen in the
window in the front compartment).
4
Make sure the vehicle is stable.
• Shake the fork fore and aft.
Shaking the fork too hard could pick up the move-
ment of the side stand, implying play where there
is none. Repeat the above operation several times.
• If there is clear indication of play, contact your
nearest aprilia dealer, who will restore the vehicle
to optimum condition.
CAUTION
CAUTION