I have an oil suction device that I used to remove the fuel from the gas tank, can I use it to suck out the coolant and simply refill it with new mix? Is there a way to get at the air filter without pulling the tank? I'm trying to be strategic with the limited time I have to put into this restoration.
You could unclip the rear of the tank and pivot it upwards to get to the radiator cap. You don't need to raise the tank to replace the air filter. Harris has a video showing how it takes three minutes.
Impatience is an obstacle. A
restoration involves a thorough inspection. A rusty brick needs its operating system restored regardless of the level of effort involved.
The tank should be removed so you can clean and inspect electrical connections beneath it with ease. The cover of the air filter should be removed so the air box can be cleaned of debris.
The coolant system should be flushed with coolant system cleaner before new coolant is added. There are particulates throughout its neglected system that will resist being removed by a suction device and will continue to affect efficient cooling. Several threads and sources are available on this site and the Web to help you. Effective, simple procedures have been developed to clean the system. I grant that they are not simple enough for everyone.
Shortcuts are being considered. Excuses are being made for them. Impatience is making inroads. If that is allowed to continue when learning to ride and riding, too, the rider has a greater chance of becoming
a danger to others, and a fatality statistic.