Oil Temp
Oil Temp
I see this has a temp gauge on the oil tank fill. What oil temp should I expect to see on it? What is to hot? I hope to make it run this weekend, just gathering info now so I know what to watch for.
Thanks, Mack
Thanks, Mack
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,664
Likes: 184
From: Indiana, USA
Don't read too much into that gage. It was an aftermarket accessory item you could purchase if you needed somethig to monitor and try to control. Old Panheads had a problem cooking oil in the jug, the MOCO went to an external oil feed line as continued on Shovelheads. Your shovel has the external line and should not experience any issues. Most importantly is to follow the oil weight recommended by ambient temps. I ran straight 50 most of the year.
Good, thanks guys. It has a sexy little oil cooler on the front so I hope it does fine. Just plan to get it running long enuf this weekend to set the carb and wanted to make sure about the heat thing. The actual owner of the bike runs Amsoil 20-50, and seems hooked on the stuff. I noticed 2 cases of it in the garage when we picked it up. He gave me a quart to top it off because the leak from the vent hose. From what I have read so far it should quit dripping after 20 minutes of running with the cap off the tank. I hope so anyway. BTW, what should the pressure gauge read at from cold start up and hot idle?
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,114
Likes: 51,404
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Get rid of the gauge and put the stock plug back in they seep oil constantly after a little age and they are never accurate .
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 66,948
Likes: 4,573
From: TOAK western branch
Put your hand on the oil tank. If you can hold it there for 3 seconds your good. Less than 2 seconds and you will have to hose it down!
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 979
Likes: 38
From: new orleans,la
i took my ole ladies cooking electronic digital temp-- the one with the probe -- ran the bike on the I-10 for almost 1 hour speeds 70/75 -- got off and pulled the temp stick-- it said 150 degrees --- the cooking one said 175 -- this is with a REAL oil cooler -- it was 98 degrees out when the test was done -- had 70 wt ultima oil -- i did the same test and after 3 of those fancy tank gauges i got one that reads with-in 5 degrees...
also find 2 small "O" rings that will fit the ridges on the rubber on the guage -- thin ones not big thick ones.. this solves the loose guage in the tank....
also find 2 small "O" rings that will fit the ridges on the rubber on the guage -- thin ones not big thick ones.. this solves the loose guage in the tank....