thoughts on engine cooling?
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 139
Likes: 3
From: Madison, WI
Throwing hot air? Isn't that what happens when you're moving? Or is the air 200 degrees F? At the Harley events I've seen where the MoCo invites potential customers to sit on a running bike, they've always got a big fan blowing on it. And it's summer and 90 degrees. Throwing hot air will cool if the air being thrown is cooler than the engine. Right? And a few years ago, Hogs queued up on the highway headed toward a big motorcycle event in Milwaukee got caught in a traffic jam. Multiple engine failures.
Last edited by Mr.Bluster; Mar 19, 2017 at 08:07 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 9,980
Likes: 5,218
From: Michigan
I've had the Ward's Fans on my '13 CVO 110 for three seasons and they're still doing fine.
Not taking sides as I'm sure other fans also work well but I saw the Ward's first and went with them.
I have mine on a thermostatically controlled switch and they run all the time and usually about two minutes (a bit more in really hot weather) after I shut the engine off.
According to my information, the fans are as important at freeway speeds as they are in stop and go traffic due to the engine running at higher RPM's.
Before my (rinky-dink) digital dipstick took a dump on me, my oil temp (after exiting the freeway and stopping for fuel) usually read about 240 degrees and SYN3 is supposed to be good for temps up to 300 degrees.
I'm sure by the time my engine oil reached 300 degrees, I'd be long dead!!!
Not taking sides as I'm sure other fans also work well but I saw the Ward's first and went with them.
I have mine on a thermostatically controlled switch and they run all the time and usually about two minutes (a bit more in really hot weather) after I shut the engine off.
According to my information, the fans are as important at freeway speeds as they are in stop and go traffic due to the engine running at higher RPM's.
Before my (rinky-dink) digital dipstick took a dump on me, my oil temp (after exiting the freeway and stopping for fuel) usually read about 240 degrees and SYN3 is supposed to be good for temps up to 300 degrees.
I'm sure by the time my engine oil reached 300 degrees, I'd be long dead!!!
Banned
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 894
Likes: 25
From: Jacksonville FL
If you have $20, buy infrared laser thermometer and check head temperatures. I have one for $26. As far as I know rear head is always hotter, if I install my $3 fan, I'll install it to blow on rear head.
http://www.harborfreight.com/catalog...ed+thermometer
http://www.harborfreight.com/catalog...ed+thermometer
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 11,468
Likes: 3,572
From: Idaho
Only way the air is hotter than the cylinders is if you're riding through a crematorium.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,760
Likes: 211
From: Manila, Philippines
I ride in a lot of heavy traffic. Just cant be helped if you want to get out of Metro Manila, one of the worst traffic cities. During a traffic day, EDSA can take at least 1 hour at less than 5 kph. We have had two bikes break down from the heat on our last return. I was riding my Yamaha vmax and it also overheated with a radiator, with coolant boiling over.
I had a Lenale cooling fan on my Dyna but they both crapped out (I had a replacement) after less than a year. Would have gone with a Wards but they are not around. Fans do work. But down side is that your right thigh will be roasted and I do mean 2nd degree burns. I had no choice but to tough it out on one ride and have the scars.
I had a Lenale cooling fan on my Dyna but they both crapped out (I had a replacement) after less than a year. Would have gone with a Wards but they are not around. Fans do work. But down side is that your right thigh will be roasted and I do mean 2nd degree burns. I had no choice but to tough it out on one ride and have the scars.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 675
Likes: 110
I did a bit of web searching trying to find some manufacturers recommendations as far as maximum cylinder head temperatures. Other than a lot of speculation by aftermarket builders and self proclaimed experts, there is very little real information available. I did find an article from Lycoming (manufacturer of air cooled aircraft engines) about cylinder head temperature sensors and recommended minimum and maximum CHT. Seems 400F is a relatively safe temperature. I'm sure the people who have installed cooling fans on their V-twins appreciate the cooler, more comfortable ride but, I doubt that it really contributes to longer engine life.
http://lycoming.prpl.rs/content/more...ad-temperature
Dan
http://lycoming.prpl.rs/content/more...ad-temperature
Dan
Last edited by Just Dan; Mar 19, 2017 at 08:19 PM.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 139
Likes: 3
From: Madison, WI
Seems 400F is a relatively safe temperature.
http://lycoming.prpl.rs/content/more...ad-temperature
Dan
http://lycoming.prpl.rs/content/more...ad-temperature
Dan
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,971
Likes: 901
From: Omaha
I ordered the Love Jugs Might Mite more for comfort than engine protection.
Do I need them...probably not but it will go well with all the other $hit I have that I don't need.
Do I need them...probably not but it will go well with all the other $hit I have that I don't need.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
I ride in a lot of heavy traffic. Just cant be helped if you want to get out of Metro Manila, one of the worst traffic cities. During a traffic day, EDSA can take at least 1 hour at less than 5 kph. We have had two bikes break down from the heat on our last return. I was riding my Yamaha vmax and it also overheated with a radiator, with coolant boiling over.
I had a Lenale cooling fan on my Dyna but they both crapped out (I had a replacement) after less than a year. Would have gone with a Wards but they are not around. Fans do work. But down side is that your right thigh will be roasted and I do mean 2nd degree burns. I had no choice but to tough it out on one ride and have the scars.
I had a Lenale cooling fan on my Dyna but they both crapped out (I had a replacement) after less than a year. Would have gone with a Wards but they are not around. Fans do work. But down side is that your right thigh will be roasted and I do mean 2nd degree burns. I had no choice but to tough it out on one ride and have the scars.
I did a bit of web searching trying to find some manufacturers recommendations as far as maximum cylinder head temperatures. Other than a lot of speculation by aftermarket builders and self proclaimed experts, there is very little real information available. I did find an article from Lycoming (manufacturer of air cooled aircraft engines) about cylinder head temperature sensors and recommended minimum and maximum CHT. Seems 400F is a relatively safe temperature. I'm sure the people who have installed cooling fans on their V-twins appreciate the cooler, more comfortable ride but, I doubt that it really contributes to longer engine life.
http://lycoming.prpl.rs/content/more...ad-temperature
Dan
http://lycoming.prpl.rs/content/more...ad-temperature
Dan
Here is a short quote from a longer article by Jimmy Kay printed in several magazines and available on our love-jugs.com web site. Interestingly, Jimmy was a cynic before he took a 2000 mile trip to prove that they couldn't do what we said. Here's how he ended his article.
"And yes I do LOVE JUGS! I have had two Harley techs tell me because of the addition of the LOVE JUGS and an oil cooling system I have possibly extended the life of the most expensive part of my Harley the engine by a 50,000 miles. That is the best endorsement of a product I have ever given. LOVE JUGS are a great insurance policy and peace of mind for me. - See more at: http://love-jugs.com/two-wheel-thunder-tv-product-reviews-by-jimmy-kay-love-jugs-cool-master/#sthash.tnZUU9gp.dpuf"
Last edited by ChickinOnaChain; Mar 21, 2017 at 03:53 PM.