Been doing as much research as I can to help reduce the heat of my 21' Roadglide. There are the standard things one can do, Oil Cooler fan, extra oil cooler, oil filter relocation, permanent oil filter with stainless filtration media, and of course aftermarket oil pump/camplate are pretty much the standard ideas. All of these do positively help and contribute to bring down the operating temperatures of the M8 engine. Arguably the biggest bang for the buck in this ensemble would be the permanent filter. On one hand it increases the flow rate to levels that are superior to any other media and also acts kinda as its own oil cooler especially when combined with a filter relocation kit. But perhaps the biggest argument against it is that its filtration level isn't that great and is usually 35 microns at best. Thats a far cry from standard media filters that are disposable. You could get one that has the external portion that is permanent and has the capability to use a disposable internal media, but then there is the issue that the permanent case has no bypass valve built in for when the media is clogged or at startup to allow for an initial pressure spike to surge through then ease up as the pressure equalizes. Most everyone knows these oil filters are made for performance, but not necessarily filtration as they are meant for race applications in which the engine oil will be drained immediately after a performance (not every 3k to 5k miles as we would do). Which means using them for long periods could shorten the life of the internals of your engine as particles smaller than 35 microns can still be abrasive to your pistons, cylinder walls, piston rings, cams, lifters, and not to mention crank and camshaft bearings.

Which brings me to my topic.

What if it were possible to have the best of both worlds? Where the standard pressure oil filter were a permanent type with high flow and cooling capabilities but in addition to the standard oil filter find a way to install a "Bypass" Oil filtration system that would actually help increase oil capacity and be capable enough to filter down to nearly 1 micron! I know I have some of your interest piqued, and if I had that answer then I would not be asking the question. Which is why I am here.

Can a Oil Bypass Filtration system be installed in addition to the existing one on a Harley Davidson? Even if its not a M8, can it be done?

If so or if anyone else thinks it can be done that knows more than me, please help me out here.. I know enough to be dangerous which is why Im asking questions to be safer because I'm considering trying this out but need to know how/where would I tap into to make it possible. Amsoil sells Bypass filtration systems and has an explanation of how it works, (in a car engine). But I have the feeling that the camplate of a harley is the key to this so I'm not sure where I would tap into the oil system to make it all work. If I am right though, then I think that by using a universal system such as made by Amsoil but with smaller filters, the oil capacity could potentially increase, the temperatures would drop, pressures would stay in an optimal range, and oil life could very well potentially be extended beyond 10 or 12 thousand miles!

Highly interested to see what some of you more experienced gurus can share.. if this were a car we were talking about, I would already have it done (and have done already). But for some reason I can't get my head to wrap around how to make this possible on our beloved Harleys.

 

First, I think a combustion engine between your legs is going to be hot and you are way over thinking.

Second, increasing oil capacity will not make it run cooler, it will just make it take slightly longer to get up to operating temperature. (Lots of threads on HD and third party increased capacity oil pans)

 

CoolFlow Fan

 

Stainless steel mesh filters and throw away filter micron comparisons are an apple and oranges thing. The supposed micron ratings for throw away oil filters are multiple pass, while stainless steel mesh filter ratings are single pass. There is information out there that shows throw away filters single pass micron ratings can be MUCH MUCH larger than 35 microns, while the stainless steel mesh is NEVER larger than 35 microns.

I sent a sample to Blackstone Labs from my bike running a stainless steel mesh oil filter and the results showed everything WAY below what would be considered 'normal'. They told me to keep doing what I'm doing as whatever it is is working.

 

 

I think Rich Rebuilds on Youtube solved the problem 100%
Mind you his solution has it's drawbacks.

 

Yanno, I've been surprised at the generally reasonable oil temps on my bike. I have yet to see the temp (sensor in pan) go over 240 and that's riding 2-up stop and go in 90-95 weather. Stock 2011 stuff. Usual riding it never sees over 210.

Head temps? Don't know or care to be honest. I have the EITMS on and the temp theshold is down from factory, though I forget where it's set, and rarely does it kick in.

As far as filtration, don't overthink it. As far as I'm concerned, particle size is less an issue in these bikes than in standard automotive since the bearings are all rollers. Automotive has the tightest oil clearances in the main and rod bearings. Pick a quality filter and ride.

 

First.. Thanks for your response, but thats not what I asked.

Second, I will respectfully agree to disagree with you.

Yes, already talked about that when I said Oil Cooler Fan, thx..

Thank you very much for your response, this is good information to know and responses like yours (well thought out, technical, informative) are the ones I am looking for the most! Can I ask how often you change your oil with your system?

I will check out what he has done and see if it fits the bill, thank you.

Good to know. Thats on a TC I will assume as you said stock 2011 stuff. But in response to the "dont overthink it".. We're gearheads... if we didn't overthink stuff all of the time then we wouldn't make things better.

 

Fine but be aware that you are disagreeing with people that know what they're talking about.

https://www.hdforums.com/forum/milwa...l#post18527799

 

I had some serious heat and still have the Cat/warranty etc.
Check out my signature and those did help, especially the XIED's from DK Customs
But here is your oil videos to watch.
Hope tis helps,
JB