Oil cooler
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
Likes: 941
From: Illinois
DannyZ71:
Your analogy to a car overheating has zero to do with the issue of an oil cooler.
HD tests their engines at Chrysler's proving grounds in Arizona. They idle them in the desert heat for 24 hours. They never had one overheat. Your bike will not over heat it will get hot. Overheating is when damage is done to the engine. In the case of an HD engine it would be the valves warping.
An oil cooler at idle stopped in traffic will aid in dissipating heat. As I said of course not as much as moving but it has many square inches of surface area that do release heat while standing still. But 99% of any motorcycle is spent moving not standing.
The weakest part of the bike in hot weather and standing is the rider not the engine.
Your analogy to a car overheating has zero to do with the issue of an oil cooler.
HD tests their engines at Chrysler's proving grounds in Arizona. They idle them in the desert heat for 24 hours. They never had one overheat. Your bike will not over heat it will get hot. Overheating is when damage is done to the engine. In the case of an HD engine it would be the valves warping.
An oil cooler at idle stopped in traffic will aid in dissipating heat. As I said of course not as much as moving but it has many square inches of surface area that do release heat while standing still. But 99% of any motorcycle is spent moving not standing.
The weakest part of the bike in hot weather and standing is the rider not the engine.
Last edited by lh4x4; Nov 27, 2013 at 06:33 PM.
Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
Likes: 821
From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
For me, I'd only want one if I did a lot of stop and go. like Parades or rode where temps are 95+ alot. Lowers on touring bikes cut down some of the flow too.
Most HD owners do STG1, some add Tuners and dyno, few more do cams.. Each mod U do to Ur motor will help cool the oil temp.
For usual riding there is K's of others owners that don't do O-C's and are and have been fine for yrs.
Also using a good SYN oil would give U more protection for higher oil temp
My oil temp used to be right at 250* when new, with Stg1, tuned, cams, and Syn oil and some miles on her, she runs 215 -220* most of the time.
Ur choice Ur bike. wouldn't over think it.
.
Most HD owners do STG1, some add Tuners and dyno, few more do cams.. Each mod U do to Ur motor will help cool the oil temp.
For usual riding there is K's of others owners that don't do O-C's and are and have been fine for yrs.
Also using a good SYN oil would give U more protection for higher oil temp
My oil temp used to be right at 250* when new, with Stg1, tuned, cams, and Syn oil and some miles on her, she runs 215 -220* most of the time.
Ur choice Ur bike. wouldn't over think it.
.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 12,227
Likes: 7,801
From: Along the shoreline in SW FL
It is ignorant, and irresponsible, to give such advise as above. Do cars not overheat if the fan stops running?? And that's a water cooled system with plenty of coolant, and a huge radiator with a large surface area. But if that fan stops, in traffic, with no air flow, it WILL OVER-HEAT.
And how stupid would a fan look on the tube type coolers? Which I will be switching my stock Harley radiator type cooler to this winter.
Thread Starter
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2nd Gear
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: South Carolina
I would like to thank all of you for your responses. I will take note of everyones advice. Especially to moniter and check temperature while riding. It's starting to get cold, so I won't be out too much. Might have to wait 'til it warms up some and take a long ride.
I do have a tempurature meter in the oil can. Thanks everyone.
Ronnie
I do have a tempurature meter in the oil can. Thanks everyone.
Ronnie
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,664
Likes: 184
From: Indiana, USA
Every oil cooler I have ever used has a thermostat controlled inlet so oil bypasses and does not circulate through the cooler unless the oil temperature has opened the thermostat.
Every Harley I have ever owned has had an oil cooler. My 81 Shovel lowrider came stock with 1 so I added 1 to my 89 and my '03 when they weren't built with them. My '12 and '13 both came with 1 stock so didn't need to add. I also added an auxillary fan for the '03 but it hardly ever comes on, only during those summer bike rally's where you are stuck in a crowd, moving slower than you can walk.
Every Harley I have ever owned has had an oil cooler. My 81 Shovel lowrider came stock with 1 so I added 1 to my 89 and my '03 when they weren't built with them. My '12 and '13 both came with 1 stock so didn't need to add. I also added an auxillary fan for the '03 but it hardly ever comes on, only during those summer bike rally's where you are stuck in a crowd, moving slower than you can walk.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
Likes: 941
From: Illinois
On my ride today it was 11 in the am and the temp went to 28 in the early afternoon. I covered the oil cooler before going out. Now the advantage is that the oil runs at 185 degrees and the motor runs great. If the cooler was not covered it would bog down.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,760
Likes: 211
From: Manila, Philippines
I have the jagg w/fan and the motor would still overheat (107" build). Check engine light would come on. I added the Lenale cooling fan and have not had the check engine light come on again. It does blow a lot of air across the top and will cook your right thigh if you have to wait in traffic too much.
I ride in the Phils, its hot and humid everyday with bad traffic so need every bit of cooling help I can add.
I ride in the Phils, its hot and humid everyday with bad traffic so need every bit of cooling help I can add.
Tourer
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 251
Likes: 0
From: Australia
I have had a cooler on my 96 Heritage almost from new for riding in temp +40 degrees C (+100 F) using dino oil never took it when I change to synthetic oil and the bike runs well. In winter I cover the cooler with cardboard to let the oil get hotter. Good investment for keeping the engine in good shape.
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