View Poll Results: Oil cooler or cooling fan?
Voters: 31. You may not vote on this poll
Oil cooler or cooling fan?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,664
Likes: 184
From: Indiana, USA
Oil cooler 1st then cooling fan if you need it. I have had an oil cooler on each of the 5 Harleys I have owned over the last 30 years and have had a fan on only 1. Still have he '03 with the fan that hardly ever comes on.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,814
Likes: 5,120
From: SW Ohio
Cooling fan. My thought is to cool the heads directly not cool the oil to cool the heads. High oil temps (to me) are only a symptom of high CHTs. Plus, my cooling fan has never leaked oil
I've used oil coolers in the past but eventually they all leaked or weeped some amount of oil or made it a PITA to change oil and filters on the road in some back alley or parking lot while on a trips longer than 5k miles. For me, putting a couple of halves together for the oil filter adapter, hoses and clamps in the pressurized system where all the oil is pumped is just too big a risk.
I've used oil coolers in the past but eventually they all leaked or weeped some amount of oil or made it a PITA to change oil and filters on the road in some back alley or parking lot while on a trips longer than 5k miles. For me, putting a couple of halves together for the oil filter adapter, hoses and clamps in the pressurized system where all the oil is pumped is just too big a risk.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
From: Central PA
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Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 117
Likes: 2
From: South Carolina
I have never had either one but have been thinking about getting an oil cooler or fan for my hot summer rides in SC! No problems while riding but when I come to a stop at a light or stop sign boy does it get hot quick!!
guenther good luck with your decision and let us know what you go with and post a thread.
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Road Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 892
Likes: 8
From: Central Florida
I think one of the oil coolers with a built in fan would be good on a bagger. I just have a cooler on my Sloptail. Would not run without it here in sunny FLA. Maybe the older bikes ran cooler, but the 2007 and up motors get way hot real fast.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 173
From: Simi Valley, CA
They both serve a different function and which you need, or want, depends on the conditions in which you ride.
The oil cooler is great for long duration sustained runs such as you'd experience on a road trip.
The engine cooling fan is great for stop and go, conjested traffic type conditions.
Neither will provide much benefit outside of the purposes noted, but they each work great when their used for their individual purposes.
The oil cooler is great for long duration sustained runs such as you'd experience on a road trip.
The engine cooling fan is great for stop and go, conjested traffic type conditions.
Neither will provide much benefit outside of the purposes noted, but they each work great when their used for their individual purposes.