| Author | Message | ||
     Essthreetee |
I am wondering who has installed an oil temp gauge on their tuber...what did you use??? Where did you get it??? Price?? Installation location??? Would you do anything different??? Pics??? WIth summers that get over 100* more than not, I would rather know what is going on... Thanks Jason | ||
| Bomber |
I did -- Phatom series Autometer (search on my name -- should be a coule three posts) in a shop made dash -- installed the sensor in the oil bag works great! | ||
| Oldog |
I purchased an HD mini gage kit and placed the sensor in the return line about 4" or so from the oil pump Aaomy whittled me a dash from billit, S3 dash should be a non issue oil temps run about 170 ~ 190 at 65 mph cruise and break 200 when I dog it (80 or better) Bike has an oil cooler [ jagg ] I have posted info on it before I will look this evening and post the links if i can find them. | ||
| Aldaytona |
I don't get the oil temp gauge thing, have been riding Harley Davidson bikes since the 60s and never had a temp gauge on any bike in South Florida. When it's hot they run hot, they run cooler when it's cold. Outside of a cooler with a thermostat and synthetic oil, what's the point? Money better spent on the cooler and a good synthetic oil, why worry about something you mostly can't control. Keep your eyes on the road and ride. | ||
| Djkaplan |
I'd get an oil temp gauge before I'd ever consider putting an oil-cooler on my bike. | ||
| Xldevil |
No one needs any oil cooler ,or an oil temp gauge on a tuber,IMO Never missed that stuff,even if I let her fly over the Autobahn or during stop and go in cities of southern europe in summertimes. In the main,our engines are cooled by air and fuel.There is only a small amount of oil circulating in a dry sump engine,not enough for an essential cooling of the heads,where most of the heat is produced. Here's a note I copied from Mobil 1's website about synthetic oils... "Mobil 1 with SuperSynTM products protect engines up to 204°C (400°F). " If this is a fact,where is the need of an oil cooler? Ralph (Message edited by xldevil on May 18, 2006) | ||
| Oldog |
http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/47623/103155.html?1111193567 dash http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/47623/121655.html?1121977165 | ||
| Loki |
I dunno. I like my temp guage, cooler and manual bypass for it. Just as much as having an press indication instead of just an idiot light. Just might be the old hot rodder in me. Cool the head? Nah, but help remove heat from the valves, springs, rockers... and the rest of the internal parts and pieces. You really want to see an effective drop in engine temps on a tuber? Drop a set of XB heads and cyls onto it. All that extra fin area makes all the difference when hung out in the open. | ||
| Essthreetee |
So I think what I am thinking about doing is take the clock out of the dash and replace it with a AutoMeter Phantom 2-1/16 oil temp gauge. Like this one..http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=ATM%2D5747&view=1 &N=4294925227+400442+4294891600+0 Anyone done this??? Anything I should be aware of??? Cooler will be next... | ||
| Jimidan |
I would contend that an oil pressure gauge is much more beneficial. It not only functions as a pressure indicator, but it lets you know when you oil is up to temp as well, so you will know when it is safe to get on it. When oil heats up, it gets thinner and there is a drop in pressure. I can feel when my bike is getting hot in traffic, so I don't need to know that. But to know what my oil pressure is at a glance tells me so much about what is going on inside the engine that I cannot feel. jimidan | ||
| Oldog |
S3: depends on where you put the sender, will the dash accept the gauge and leave the clock? | ||
| Essthreetee |
There is room on the dash to put a SMALL gauge and leave the clock...but I don't really need a clock...I ALWAYS have on a watch. By putting a stock looking gauge in place of the clock I figured I could keep a "Factory" look. I figured I would put the sender in-line on the oil line (similar to what you did). I think I am going to do things in the following order... Oil Temp Gauge (first to get a baseline on the temps) Oil Cooler of some sorts (see what improvements in temps) Switch to synthetics (see any additional improvements in temps) One more question... Should I be looking into a MECHANICAL or ELECTRICAL gauge??? What is better?? why?? | ||
| Bomber |
electrical -- no choice why? mechanical has a copper or aluminum tube that goes from the sender to the guage -- while it will bend, you don't want it bending alot, which it will do if you ever sterr your bike ;-} | ||
| Essthreetee |
Good...It is cheaper anyhow. Thanks | ||
| Oldog |
S3: the oil press gauge will not work in an oil cooler line, ask me how I know  electric sender is the only way to go, and its going to want to go on the filter mount, If you tube it to a remote that will likely throw it off and creates a potential problem the temp gauge in the bag or in the return line, I figured the oil leaving the engine was the hottest in the system that I could get to, and pay attention to the size and wall thickness of your fittings so you got beef but good flow good luck, | ||
| Essthreetee |
Oldog... Thanks for the info. Gauge is on it's way...ordered today. How would I go about putting the sender in the oil bag??? On your brass fittings (it looks like a similar set up to my breather/catch tube set up),  is the sender in the middle of the T or on the end?? I assume that you cut the line, put in a T, with the sender in the middle (where the filter is on my catch tube)...Please correct me if I am wrong. Thanks Jason | ||
| Bill00 |
Here is what I'm going to use. I haven't decided were I'm putting it yet.  http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=SUM%2D800111&N=4294925228+4294922089+400304+1004+115&autoview=sku | ||
| Loki |
I plumbed my temp sensor into the oil bag just above the outlet line. Uni-bitted the hole just smaller than the brass adapter for the sending unit. So that the fitting cut threads into the bag wall and then super glued around it(Maxi-Cure,extra thick 10-25 sec). Tight fit as it just clears the battery and the lower rear cross tube. My pressure is picked off the idiot light pick off | ||
| Bob_thompson |
I personally went with a head temp. guage, with the sender mounted on the rear head after I put a full fairing on my M2 (see my profile for picture) and a large 9 inch cooling fan positioned facing between the two cylinders blowing across them. I monitor temp. while riding and usually after a hard blast either on the freeway or more-so a hard canyon run and then a slow down or a stop for something I see the temp. go to above 300 degrees F. so I manually turn on the fan. It only take a few minutes for the temp. to come down to 250 or so. While crusing the temp very seldom reaches 280 and I occasionally use the fan in heavy traffic when going slow. I really like seeing where the engine temp. is at all times and being able to adjust accordingly. Naturally these temps. vary with ambient outside air. Bob | ||
| Djkaplan |
That's so cool! Let's see it, man. | ||
| Essthreetee |
My gauge just arrived...Man Summit is FAST. Ordered it last night, it shipped last night and showed up today!!! I had them ship it by ground too!!!! I guess if you order with Summit right now they are throwing in a free hat... Anyway, got the gauge in place of the factory clock...Looks like it came that way. I will post pics as soon as my wife gets home with the camera... The wiring part will be a snap, but I have a question (Seems like it will be TOO easy). I was thinking about replacing the brass elbow for the return line into the oil bag with a brass tee. The tee would basically bee an elbow (as was there) with a temp sender on the end opposite the hose. It seems like this would be the EASIEST way to do it...What do you all think???? I can't post pics yet, wife's still not home. (Message edited by Essthreetee on May 20, 2006) | ||
| Essthreetee |
Got it installed and I like it. Here are a couple of pics... In Dash  and Lit up  | ||
| Loki |
Jason, looks good | ||
| Essthreetee |
Thanks, I am happy with it. Installation was EASY!!!!!!!!! I shoulda taken pics of teh sender mount I used... If you are gonna do it, you gotta make sure to GROUND the sender...ask me how I know  Jason | ||
| Oldog |
S3: Went south (Myrtle beach bike week) and has some stuff to do. sounds like you got it right, To answer you I mounted the sender in the Branch of the tee and turned it down,( no air to get trapped that way ) 2 barbs and a nipple a coupling and bushing, any one trying to fit a sender [ dry fit it all up first then tape and assemble ] with out a proper bulkhead fitting I would be wairy of poping a hole in the oil bag, Loki put some thought into his by making the fitting thread in The return or inlet lines near the bag will give you about the same readings, Whats going to supprise you is how far in normal conditions you ride before the oil reaches OT even in warm weather, the other thing is the effect of riding at higher speeds will have on in the temp and pressure, Bill00 please post a pic of your gage stick when you finish I would like to see it on your S3 I hope that the info provided helps any who want to add these items. | ||
| Chasespeed |
FWIW... The S2/S3 the dash dioenst move, thus, it would be more prudent to use a mechanical gauge... On another note, there are braided lines, that are made for area of motion...kinda like a brake line... which woudl also allow a mechanical gauge to be use...say on my X1... All things being equal, ME personally, I will always use a mechanical guage when possible...and for apps like ours(heavy vibes), liquid filled gauges hel pto extend life, and help with accuary... Just my 2 cents... Chase | ||
| Loki |
just a refresher  The water temp gets people looking for a radiator. Then I get to 'splain its plumbed into the oil bag | ||
| Oldog |
any one do a voltage warning light say red / green or on for low voltage? I was thinking of doing that this summer and just potting the thing and putting a led through the plate with pig tails to the detector. could you use a simple comparator circuit to do that? | ||
| 89rs1200 |
Concerning oil coolers I completely disagree with Xldevil. One hour+ rides in Nevada REQUIRES an oil cooler. I cooked my oil 2 years ago before installing the Jagg oil cooler and Lockhart/Harley thermostat. | ||
| Sloppy |
Here's a bit of irony -- I've removed my clock, and moved my tach to the center console just so I would look down at my dash as little as possible. The less there is to look at on the bike the more attention you'll focus on the road... Interesting thread, but with the size of those gauges they won't be that accurate so I'd use an electric unit. You'll really be using them as "idiot lights" rather than data points. | ||
| Aldaytona |
Voltage monitors made by Signal Dynamics are inexpensive and outstanding quality products. www.signaldynamics.com | ||
| Oldog |
thanks al that just what I wanted just an improved idiot light! my gages tell me general info and give me trend data better than the OP idiot light on when 2 late you may catch it droping and investigate. | ||
| Mmmi_grad |
I purchased an HD mini gage kit and placed the sensor in the return line about 4" or so from the oil pump Aaomy whittled me a dash from billit, S3 dash should be a non issue oil temps run about 170 ~ 190 at 65 mph cruise and break 200 when I dog it (80 or better) Bike has an oil cooler [ jagg ] UNQUOTE OK I just tested my oil yesterday about 72 outside cruise 60-65 for 5 miles back into town....check oil temp for the hell of it. Around 190 f it was. So if you got a jagg on yours then hells bells aint much of a difference. I have a jagg deluxe on my Panhead thats still for sale. I think the larger napa oil filter ran my engine a little cooler , it so big. Put a stock one on now...... and after 80 -90 and 60 for a few miles I thought I was a little warmer than usual. I dont know. | ||
| 89rs1200 |
Normal oil Temp. is supposed to be 180F. The oil cooler keeps the temp. @ or near 180F. That is it's job. I also reccommend an oil thermostat. I ride in Nevada, and no longer cook my oil with a Jagg cooler & Lockhart thermostat. Try the Lockhart/Harley oil thermostat. Can be had for around $50 @ Ebay or MAW. Or, get a similar thermostat @ Summet Racing for $40 - $53. Derale $53.69 with barbs & hose clamps: http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=DER%2D13011&view= 2&N=4294843279+4294906705+0 Perma-Cool $39.88, Mount kit (hose barbs) $13.88: http://store.summitracing.com/egnsearch.asp?N=115+304354&D=304354 http://store.summitracing.com/egnsearch.asp?N=115+304359&D=304359 | ||
| Oldog |
MMI: 60 to 65 is closer to 170, the gages are not that accurate any way, "170-190" the readings were taken on I10 heading toward jax fla I was in wet leather soo I cant say it was that hot if I slowed to about 65 ~ 70 it was close to 170(over), when the speeds rose close to 3 figures then the temps went up 190 ~ 210 the cooler helps a little, a larger filter adds oil to the system, ( i run the sporty filter ) the air temps have a bearing on the oil temp with the loading ( long up hills ) my big butt (250#) wind drag, etc. | ||
| Chasespeed |
I have every intention of making a cooler for mine... Just need to find something small, like a power-steering cooler..., and go from there.. As far as accuracy, just about anything from AutoMeter, is gonna be close to spot on... ONLY after market guages I use..PERIOD...too much good experience with their product, to bother going another route, ALSO, another quality product, is VDO... Soooo Chase F*ck'em if they can't take a joke. | ||
| Oldog |
chase you watch e-bay mebe an xb oil cooler |
