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I ride to work everyday regardless of temp unless they're calling for snow. I've found that even in low 30s, my engine temp still hits 220-240 on the highway. Not sure what my oil temp is since Powervision doesn't have that option. I don't have an oil cooler but if I did I would fab a cover for it like you talked about. I do make a point of letting my bike run for a good 5 min or so before I take off. The other day I was stuck in traffic from an accident, and found that after about 10 minutes my engine temp was getting too high (280) , so I had to stop and shut it down once it got close to 300. This was on a 35 degree day by the way.
I have one of those overpriced HD digital oil dipsticks. Actually works well for giving me an idea on oil temps. Granted, you have to press it for a reading, but that's what I do when I get to work.
I'll look into fabricating a cover for the road glide oil cooler, since that's my winter ride, fairing and shield and all. Keeps a hell of a lot of wind off me...
Re engine temps, I haven't been stuck in traffic recently, but I see similar temps as you (220-240). I keep my Love Jugs switched off since its so cool, but it's nice to have them at the ready if I were to get stuck in a jam.
If you live in a location where you won't be able to ride during the winter, as I do, make sure you're on fresh fluids first of all. Then, never start the bike during it's winter's sleep; that will quickly lead to engine oil emulsification as you can't get the oil up to full operating temperatures to drive off the moisture. In spring I'll take the first ride of the season, get the bike up to full temperature, and change out the fluids again. Overkill? Most likely, but fluids are cheap and my bikes are not
If you are able to ride during the winter you need to make certain you are riding long enough to bring the oil up to full temperature; no short trips or you will begin to have a problem with engine oil emulsification...
^^^This^^^; only difference is I don't change again in the spring. I store with new oil in all 3 holes and just figure sitting in the bike or sitting in a bottle = little difference. Primarily, I don't start up till well into spring when I can go for a good 1 hour run at least before shutting down again.
I expect there's water layered under the oil due to springtime condensation but no hydrolysis because the temps necessary for it have not been reached.
I have one of those overpriced HD digital oil dipsticks. Actually works well for giving me an idea on oil temps. Granted, you have to press it for a reading, but that's what I do when I get to work.
I'll look into fabricating a cover for the road glide oil cooler, since that's my winter ride, fairing and shield and all. Keeps a hell of a lot of wind off me...
Re engine temps, I haven't been stuck in traffic recently, but I see similar temps as you (220-240). I keep my Love Jugs switched off since its so cool, but it's nice to have them at the ready if I were to get stuck in a jam.
Myra (edit: that was supposed to say "yea" not "Myra" I don't know what it is with these forums but it always changes the first word I type or adds another word entirely. What the hell HDF???)if I was smart I would get cooling fans for traffic situations but I just can't get over how much I hate the appearance of them.
Last edited by Nickd2689; Dec 4, 2017 at 01:06 PM.
Myra if I was smart I would get cooling fans for traffic situations but I just can't get over how much I hate the appearance of them.
You might consider a permanent high flow filter and a filter relocation kit. You wind up with a passive system, no moving parts and a modest drop in oil temp and pressure. It can look great too.
TinCupChalice has done a remarkable job on this mod. Here is my effort:
You might consider a permanent high flow filter and a filter relocation kit. You wind up with a passive system, no moving parts and a modest drop in oil temp and pressure. It can look great too.
TinCupChalice has done a remarkable job on this mod. Here is my effort:
It works.
.
I'm not sure how effective that would be on my lrs though. It's a great idea to reduce oil temps, and I appreciate the suggestion, but mine only overheats when I'm not moving. It's bad in the summer though, even hitting 2 or 3 red lights in a row will cause it to overheat. First thing I need to do is vent my ac and get it dyno tuned. I'd also like to add a jagg fan assisted oil cooler and see how far that reduces my temps. If that don't do it I'll have to get the god awful cooling fans.
I'm not sure how effective that would be on my lrs though. It's a great idea to reduce oil temps, and I appreciate the suggestion, but mine only overheats when I'm not moving. It's bad in the summer though, even hitting 2 or 3 red lights in a row will cause it to overheat. First thing I need to do is vent my ac and get it dyno tuned. I'd also like to add a jagg fan assisted oil cooler and see how far that reduces my temps. If that don't do it I'll have to get the god awful cooling fans.
As I own a LRS, I can say first hand that nothing lowers the motor temp better (in my experience) then the fans. Don't want to turn this into an "I hate/I love fans" thread, as those threads get as hot as our motors do, but oil coolers alone did very little to cool that ridiculously hot 110 motor under there. They keep oil cooler, which is a big deal, but they don't cool the motors appreciably. Don't get me wrong, I am very happy with my ultracool, but you won't catch me on an air cooled HD that's not equipped with fans.
As I own a LRS, I can say first hand that nothing lowers the motor temp better (in my experience) then the fans. Don't want to turn this into an "I hate/I love fans" thread, as those threads get as hot as our motors do, but oil coolers alone did very little to cool that ridiculously hot 110 motor under there. They keep oil cooler, which is a big deal, but they don't cool the motors appreciably. Don't get me wrong, I am very happy with my ultracool, but you won't catch me on an air cooled HD that's not equipped with fans.
is is there any chance you could post a pic or two of your cooling fans? Sorry to hijack, but how hard is it to clean the engine? Are the fans easy to remove for cleaning? And did they bolt on directly, or do you have to buy a mount?
is is there any chance you could post a pic or two of your cooling fans? Sorry to hijack, but how hard is it to clean the engine? Are the fans easy to remove for cleaning? And did they bolt on directly, or do you have to buy a mount?
TBH, I don't have many. Here's and old one.
I don't find them too offensive. I definitely don't remove them, but I am not so "fastidious" in my cleaning routine. I spray the fins with soap and hose them off. That's about it.
For models with horns in the usual position, they use the existing mount. For the LRS, I had to buy the Street Bob top mount/horn bracket to install it. Easy enough to do. That and the HD accessory power adapter and done. The Love Jugs Mighty Mites come with a larger bushing for the horn mount. I'm using the standard HD bushing on my Wards on the LRS.
You might consider a permanent high flow filter and a filter relocation kit. You wind up with a passive system, no moving parts and a modest drop in oil temp and pressure. It can look great too.
TinCupChalice has done a remarkable job on this mod. Here is my effort:
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