softail oil cooler kit
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,338
Likes: 92
From:
RE: softail oil cooler kit
ORIGINAL: Helix
I gotta wonder why ya'll are wanting coolers? I live in the Texas Blast furnace and even in stop and go traffic on 95 degree days mines never went over 225. I do run synthetic oil.Of course you feel its hot, the engines right by your legs what did you expect?You have sort of an aircooler on the Softail with the external Oil tank and Lines. I see all this talk about 07's running hot but Ive seen NO EVIDENCE yet. I know 2 others w/07 softails and nobodys has gotten over 230 . But If buying one will make you feel better thats all that matters.
I gotta wonder why ya'll are wanting coolers? I live in the Texas Blast furnace and even in stop and go traffic on 95 degree days mines never went over 225. I do run synthetic oil.Of course you feel its hot, the engines right by your legs what did you expect?You have sort of an aircooler on the Softail with the external Oil tank and Lines. I see all this talk about 07's running hot but Ive seen NO EVIDENCE yet. I know 2 others w/07 softails and nobodys has gotten over 230 . But If buying one will make you feel better thats all that matters.
May our Moderator Rest in Peace
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 11,386
Likes: 35
From: Rochester, NY
RE: softail oil cooler kit
PERSONALLY I'm seriously sceptical of the dealers and factorys insistance (as well as anumber of other peoples) that an oil cooler of any kind isn't a good thing. Granted the oil and the engine can handle moderatly higher temps (225 to 250) for reasonable amounts of time without undue effect.
However the additives in the oil that help it do its job properly can be affected by them and they DO loose their effectiveness as temps and time mount up.
So even if an oil cooler doesn't reduce the temps while the bike is standing still, a good cooler can and willhelp to lower them quicker and with a little luck maintaina lower overrall average levelwhile thebike is moving.
The idea isn't to magicly drop the temps ALL the time. Just lower theaverage temp overthe length of time between oil changes. The lower the overall average the longer the oil and its additives will maintain theiroverall effectiveness. I would rather change the oilwhile its still doing its job properly, not after its been cooked to death and hasn't been doing what you put it in there to dofor whoknows how long.
Remember, air cooled engines use the oil as a significant part of their cooling 'system'. So ANYTHING you can do that will help to cool theoilwill also help cool down the engine.
If my engine gets much hotter than it has been so far (210/225) this summer I WILL be adding an oil cooler. To my way of thinking itscheap insurance, just like changing the oil more often in hotter weather.
However the additives in the oil that help it do its job properly can be affected by them and they DO loose their effectiveness as temps and time mount up.
So even if an oil cooler doesn't reduce the temps while the bike is standing still, a good cooler can and willhelp to lower them quicker and with a little luck maintaina lower overrall average levelwhile thebike is moving.
The idea isn't to magicly drop the temps ALL the time. Just lower theaverage temp overthe length of time between oil changes. The lower the overall average the longer the oil and its additives will maintain theiroverall effectiveness. I would rather change the oilwhile its still doing its job properly, not after its been cooked to death and hasn't been doing what you put it in there to dofor whoknows how long.
Remember, air cooled engines use the oil as a significant part of their cooling 'system'. So ANYTHING you can do that will help to cool theoilwill also help cool down the engine.
If my engine gets much hotter than it has been so far (210/225) this summer I WILL be adding an oil cooler. To my way of thinking itscheap insurance, just like changing the oil more often in hotter weather.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,352
Likes: 3
From: Sydney, Australia
RE: softail oil cooler kit
I just put the thundermax digital speedo on my bike and it shows head temp. I was in very bad start/stop traffic jam yesterday and temperature (which is normally about 270) went as high as 368... so I would be curious as to whether an oil cooler would cool it down quicker once I get moving again as it did take a while to come down once I got moving. Also noticed that the clutch felt weird when it got really hot.
DeanO
DeanO
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,338
Likes: 92
From:
RE: softail oil cooler kit
ORIGINAL: dmac1968
I just put the thundermax digital speedo on my bike and it shows head temp. I was in very bad start/stop traffic jam yesterday and temperature (which is normally about 270) went as high as 368... so I would be curious as to whether an oil cooler would cool it down quicker once I get moving again as it did take a while to come down once I got moving. Also noticed that the clutch felt weird when it got really hot.
DeanO
I just put the thundermax digital speedo on my bike and it shows head temp. I was in very bad start/stop traffic jam yesterday and temperature (which is normally about 270) went as high as 368... so I would be curious as to whether an oil cooler would cool it down quicker once I get moving again as it did take a while to come down once I got moving. Also noticed that the clutch felt weird when it got really hot.
DeanO
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,179
Likes: 1
From: Southern California
RE: softail oil cooler kit
ORIGINAL: Citoriplus
PERSONALLY I'm seriously sceptical of the dealers and factorys insistance (as well as anumber of other peoples) that an oil cooler of any kind isn't a good thing. Granted the oil and the engine can handle moderatly higher temps (225 to 250) for reasonable amounts of time without undue effect.
However the additives in the oil that help it do its job properly can be affected by them and they DO loose their effectiveness as temps and time mount up.
So even if an oil cooler doesn't reduce the temps while the bike is standing still, a good cooler can and willhelp to lower them quicker and with a little luck maintaina lower overrall average levelwhile thebike is moving.
The idea isn't to magicly drop the temps ALL the time. Just lower theaverage temp overthe length of time between oil changes. The lower the overall average the longer the oil and its additives will maintain theiroverall effectiveness. I would rather change the oilwhile its still doing its job properly, not after its been cooked to death and hasn't been doing what you put it in there to dofor whoknows how long.
Remember, air cooled engines use the oil as a significant part of their cooling 'system'. So ANYTHING you can do that will help to cool theoilwill also help cool down the engine.
If my engine gets much hotter than it has been so far (210/225) this summer I WILL be adding an oil cooler. To my way of thinking itscheap insurance, just like changing the oil more often in hotter weather.
PERSONALLY I'm seriously sceptical of the dealers and factorys insistance (as well as anumber of other peoples) that an oil cooler of any kind isn't a good thing. Granted the oil and the engine can handle moderatly higher temps (225 to 250) for reasonable amounts of time without undue effect.
However the additives in the oil that help it do its job properly can be affected by them and they DO loose their effectiveness as temps and time mount up.
So even if an oil cooler doesn't reduce the temps while the bike is standing still, a good cooler can and willhelp to lower them quicker and with a little luck maintaina lower overrall average levelwhile thebike is moving.
The idea isn't to magicly drop the temps ALL the time. Just lower theaverage temp overthe length of time between oil changes. The lower the overall average the longer the oil and its additives will maintain theiroverall effectiveness. I would rather change the oilwhile its still doing its job properly, not after its been cooked to death and hasn't been doing what you put it in there to dofor whoknows how long.
Remember, air cooled engines use the oil as a significant part of their cooling 'system'. So ANYTHING you can do that will help to cool theoilwill also help cool down the engine.
If my engine gets much hotter than it has been so far (210/225) this summer I WILL be adding an oil cooler. To my way of thinking itscheap insurance, just like changing the oil more often in hotter weather.
[sm=exactly.gif][sm=exactly.gif][sm=exactly.gif][sm=exactly.gif][sm=exactly.gif][sm=exactly.gif][sm=exactly.gif]
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From:
RE: softail oil cooler kit
Well i think i need to look into an oil cooler then. Took a ride the other day up the PCH and cut off over a canyon road (topanga) into the valley... Once I got there, and into the traffic my oil tmp was at 280 and never went down because i was in traffic. Normaly I run 250 in traffic but i haven't had my 1k service yet and switched to synth.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 812
Likes: 0
From: Alta Loma, CA
RE: softail oil cooler kit
You could be running lean which would cause high oil temps. I'm running HD synth and in stop and go traffic 100 degrees outside and my oil dipstick temp guage never got over 250.
Getting an oil cooler won't hurt your bike. If its really thatusefull is debatable. If having an oil cooler will make you feel better about your bike's running condition then get one.
Getting an oil cooler won't hurt your bike. If its really thatusefull is debatable. If having an oil cooler will make you feel better about your bike's running condition then get one.
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
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,234
Likes: 106
RE: softail oil cooler kit
ORIGINAL: irishfastback
Anyone have this on their bike, specifically an 07. Just wondering how much does it drop the temp and also, if you have picture of it on your bike that would be great...
Anyone have this on their bike, specifically an 07. Just wondering how much does it drop the temp and also, if you have picture of it on your bike that would be great...
Synthetic oil has a much higher breakdown temp. It also reduces the friction which takes some of the heat out.
I run a Low Rider in the Memphis area. Temps here get into the 100's. Before I got the cooler I would see 280º+. After the cooler I never see higher that 230º.
I run a billet aluminum. It will radiate heat even at a stop. The way I mounted it the heat release does not come back on it's self. I installed the temp sensor into the cooler oil return line. This way I know what my engine is getting.
