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adding oil pressure gauge to FXRS

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Old Mar 15, 2017 | 10:33 AM
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From: north cacklacky
Default adding oil pressure gauge to FXRS

I contemplating adding one to either my rocker box or oil screen plug. I am leaning towards the plug as I don't want that hose leaking.


My question is, has anyone done this, how has it turned out and what gauge and connectors did you use?


Thanks!
 
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Old Mar 15, 2017 | 10:35 AM
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If you just want to pull your hair out then just go ahead and do it.
If you don't want to pull your hair out for no reason don't install an oil pressure gauge.

As long as the oil light goes out you are fine.
 
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Old Mar 15, 2017 | 10:43 AM
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From: north cacklacky
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Originally Posted by texashillcountry
If you just want to pull your hair out then just go ahead and do it.
If you don't want to pull your hair out for no reason don't install an oil pressure gauge.

As long as the oil light goes out you are fine.


OK man, I got it! NO oil pressure gauge.
 
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Old Mar 15, 2017 | 11:01 AM
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Originally Posted by CheefASRC
OK man, I got it! NO oil pressure gauge.
Very wise! My favourite indy reckons they should be banned - they cause more heartache and owner 'problems' than they are worth.
 
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Old Mar 15, 2017 | 11:04 AM
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just out of curiosity, because they leak or cause anxiety? lol
 
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Old Mar 15, 2017 | 11:09 AM
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Originally Posted by CheefASRC
just out of curiosity, because they leak or cause anxiety? lol
Anxiety, out of ignorance! New Harley owners in particular find it difficult to read a guage which says near zero, without having palpitations and badgering the nearest Harley shop.
 
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Old Mar 15, 2017 | 12:09 PM
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Originally Posted by CheefASRC
just out of curiosity, because they leak or cause anxiety? lol
Mostly because the internal architecture of the Harley motor is fundamentally different than what most people have grown accustomed to from their cars.

Cars have "shell" bearings (also called "journal" bearings) operate "hydrodynamicaly"": They depend on a steady amount of oil pressure and viscosity to keep them "afloat" and prevent metal-to-metal contact. No/low pressure = bearings rub = expensive problems.

Harley motors are all roller bearings. Like this:



The silver cages on the left are for the crank pin bearings. (The bearings themselves are in the bag.) They sit between your connecting rods and the crank pin.

The bearing on the right (with the black cage) sit on the pinion shaft on the right side of the motor. They are straight roller bearings (meaning they allow the crankshaft to move axially).

Behind that bearing are the tapered roller bearings and their corresponding races. Those are pressed on to spline side of the crank (left side of the motor), one on either side of the left side case. In that way, they position the crankshaft axially (side to side).

Anyway, what all this means is that it's roller bearings all through the business end of the motor. Those bearings do not require any pressure to operate. All they need is a steady flow of oil to keep them lubricated and cool.

The bottom line to all of this is that if your oil pressure warning light isn't coming on, you're fine. A pressure gauge (which my Electra Glide, unfortunately, came with from the factory) doesn't do anything for you other than turn something you can ignore into something you will worry about.
 
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Old Mar 15, 2017 | 12:29 PM
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From: north cacklacky
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Originally Posted by 0maha
Mostly because the internal architecture of the Harley motor is fundamentally different than what most people have grown accustomed to from their cars.

Cars have "shell" bearings (also called "journal" bearings) operate "hydrodynamicaly"": They depend on a steady amount of oil pressure and viscosity to keep them "afloat" and prevent metal-to-metal contact. No/low pressure = bearings rub = expensive problems.

Harley motors are all roller bearings. Like this:



The silver cages on the left are for the crank pin bearings. (The bearings themselves are in the bag.) They sit between your connecting rods and the crank pin.

The bearing on the right (with the black cage) sit on the pinion shaft on the right side of the motor. They are straight roller bearings (meaning they allow the crankshaft to move axially).

Behind that bearing are the tapered roller bearings and their corresponding races. Those are pressed on to spline side of the crank (left side of the motor), one on either side of the left side case. In that way, they position the crankshaft axially (side to side).

Anyway, what all this means is that it's roller bearings all through the business end of the motor. Those bearings do not require any pressure to operate. All they need is a steady flow of oil to keep them lubricated and cool.

The bottom line to all of this is that if your oil pressure warning light isn't coming on, you're fine. A pressure gauge (which my Electra Glide, unfortunately, came with from the factory) doesn't do anything for you other than turn something you can ignore into something you will worry about.

excellent! Thanks 0maha
 
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Old Mar 15, 2017 | 12:35 PM
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Originally Posted by texashillcountry
If you just want to pull your hair out then just go ahead and do it.
If you don't want to pull your hair out for no reason don't install an oil pressure gauge.

As long as the oil light goes out you are fine.
Might add at 100K,
As long as the oil light goes out above idle, you are fine.
 
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Old Mar 15, 2017 | 03:47 PM
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Default

Originally Posted by texashillcountry
If you just want to pull your hair out then just go ahead and do it.
If you don't want to pull your hair out for no reason don't install an oil pressure gauge.

As long as the oil light goes out you are fine.


True mate
 
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