How does the thermostat work in our bikes? Does it divert flow back into the engine via internal passages, does it just block flow to the radiator, does it divert flow outside the engine and back to the radiator when the coolant is too cold?
From looking at the service manual, what with the pump suction being hooked directly to the radiator via that metal downtube, it appears that when the thermostat is closed (cold), there's no flow path. I can't see how the water is getting back to the pump suction without going through the radiator somehow.
Anyone have a clear flow diagram?
The reason I ask is because when I install the electric water pumps, I'll need to know, so I know whether to remove the thermostat element, or block it somehow, etc., so all the water flow goes through the engine, and the pump controller controls the flow rate.
