Bike started smoking all of a sudden

[arivers333]

Hello everyone! I wanted to ask for some advise. I have a 1989 GL1500, came up to NH for the Laconia Rally and all went great, then I lost my keys. I was able to find how to hot wire the bike so I can bring it down to Florida. When at the Amtrak station ready to load it, white smoke started coming out of the bike, when we got closer to it it has also started to leak large amounts of coolant. Is worth mentioning that when I hot wired it to get it on the ramp I touched the frame with the cable connected to #2 relay and it shortened it but I had some, got it replaced and the bike started fine. Do you guys think there’s a chance I shorted something related to the fans and that’s why the bike heated up and pour the coolant out? It performed flawlessly throughout the trip and was just idling there. Visually the relay from the fan looks good after a visual inspection but I can get it replaced just in case. Any ideas?

[WingsandThings]

It sounds like a bad head gasket. White smoke from the exhaust is typical of head gasket failure. It could also be pressurizing your cooling system and causing the coolant to blow past the the radiator cap.

Id wait for a second opinion. I know this is symptomatic of head gasket failure in cars, but not so sure about goldwings. I am sure others will confirm if I am correct or refute if Im wong.

[arivers333]

Thank you so much for your reply. I honestly think that it is one of my carb coolant lines that got lose (or blew up worse case scenario) coolant was dripping from the front of the bike. No white smoke from the exhausts though but rather the fan grills. I will post tomorrow one I get to Florida if I find the issue. For now I can just go crazy thinking of the 300 different things it can possibly be

[WingsandThings]

Sorry, I thought it was smoking from the exhaust

[offcenter]

I know it's a bit late, but....
i always keep a spare key hidden on the bike, stuck in a glob of silicone seal, in a spot that only I know about.
Just my two cents.

[arivers333]

Yeah, lessons learned I guess (with the key that is) so I'll be having 2 made pretty soon. Update on my issue: Apparently when you hot-wire the bike the fans don't work so is something to be aware of in the future if I have to do the same, no issues as you are moving but definitely letting it idle is not a good idea. I was able to replace the lost coolant and ride home without issues. Thank you to all that assisted me, you guys are real-life savers!

[Ed Z]

Hoping that folks do realize that hot-wiring the wing is okay, but it does not provide power to the fans...

You also need to hot wire power to the fan relay or drive pretty fast all the time...

Jes sayin...