My Issue: Never had heard of the Heritage 2007 Classic overheating to the point where the I would have to worry about " the scrambled eggs " effect. That is, when your oil tank, rear cylinder, exhaust, etc. get so hot you almost have to think about getting a booster seat to get away from the furnace under the right thigh.

My first investment was to get a oil temp thermometer and see just how hot is "hot". So I went to the Harley store (dealer) and was told the cheapest and only solution from them was a digital dipstick thermometer for about $130ish. They did not sell, stock nor were able to order the analog (with the needle). I checked on the internet and other states, had them, so I went to the other Harley dealer in town and they had the analog one, in stock, and for about $13 dollars. Worked like a charm. My bike was peaking at 295 degrees. That was hotter than I wanted the "jewels" to be exposed to.

I read here that the reason was HD needed to pass the emissions testing for the new bikes and therefore make them run leaner straight out of the factory. The objective seemed to be to make it run richer and therefore make it cool down a few degrees. 10-20 degrees?

The most talked about options were:

-Install an upgrade for the ECM (computer) that allows to set the parameters for the feedback from the oxygen sensors, as well as other parameters to affect performance. (ie, make it run richer, therefore cooler.) $600+

-Install a new air cleaner that will allow for more air to enter the, motor. $300+

-Install a less restrictive exhaust system to allow less back pressure leaving the motor. $600+

(apparently you are supposed to do all three to get the maximum benefit from the above mods.)

I read here and other places that there were other options that would resolve the "heat" issue without requiring a second mortgage. So, after a lot of reading and investigating I did the following.

-I looked for a sale on the "XIED" from Nightrider.com. Basically, by using a resistor, strategically placed in new output cable from each Oxygen sensor (2) to the ECM, telling ECM the motor was running too lean and "tricking" the ECM into making the Air Fuel Mixture richer. I got the "VIED" which is the adjustable XIED. $120.

- I needed more air going into the air cleaner. So I got a K&N filter, AND I put 1/4 inch worth of glued washers on the bold to the air cleaner cover. (I did remove the rubber gasket around the chromed cover to allow for lots of new air. Now I don't have to cut the plastic back piece of the air cleaner assembly to make a hole for the extra air. The bike is still stock and works great. K&N air filter and washers, $50.

- I saw the American Custom set up using the modified bullet OEM exhaust pipes that you could make "loud rumble", "medium", or "stock". With their system I could get an unrestricted stock muffler and maintain the stock look. $175 (I get to change the loudness of the rumble from high to low anytime with my purchase of a 40 dollar baffle, from American Custom.

This went a long way to reduce the heat from almost 300 degrees to around 260.

To finalize the "heat" issue actions, I changed the oil to synthetic 20-50 by AmsOil , Gear Oil by Red Line (pepto bismol looking), and Primary (wet clutch oil) by Spectro.

My HD Oil dipstick gauge reads max in the 220-230 degrees, and on cool days it's closer to 200-210.

So, that's my story. I have about 400 miles on the setup and no problems yet. It shifts with less clunking and I can even wear shorts (I know, sacrilege) without getting a suntan on the bottom of my inner thigh.


I did explore an oil cooler, and a curved heat sink for the oil tank, but determined that those would be addressing the symptoms not the root cause. My engine should last a lot longer now that it runs a lot cooler.

x

 

A stage 1 upgrade which includes pipes, AC and at least a fuel tuner is practically a requirement for all Harleys.

By adding a Stage 1 upgrade you will increase fuel mpg, lower oil temp and gain some minimal performance.

According to my digital oil gauge my 09 Heritage's with V&H Staggards, SE AC and V&H Fuelpak oil temps reads around 215 on average days and 230 on hot days (>85).

Also add a Capt. Itch crotch cooler will also keep the temp down.

 

I have many mods on my ride, performance upgrades, 103ci cams head work tuned and more compression than stock and my oil temp runs right around 200 till it gets to high 90's and humid then it may go to 215. when it's cooler it may never get to 200. If you ride in slow traffic a lot or just putt around at slow speeds then the temp will climb up as there is little airflow. You will enjoy the heat if you live in cooler climates..In traffic on real hot days it does fell like you are siting on the oven.. shorts?? really!! flipflops too??

 

Yea I used to think a real Biker didn't wear shorts because it's not "cool", but after wearing shorts once on my Heritage I now know why you don't see too many riding their bike in shorts; that damn pipe is freaking hot!!!!!!

 

Most all of us Pay the Harley tax.. Thus- Stg1.
Some do even more like a good tuner and cams with a DYNO. to gain performance and help cool the motor even more.

I do think Ur exaggerating Ur numbers though, or Ur gauge is not working right.

In all the K's of post I've read in here for 7yrs I've never heard of a HD running at a constant 295* unless its just sitting while running or in a traffic log jam Or U have an something wrong with it.

Also I've never seen or read that just doing a Stg1 job come close to lowering the Engine temp by 40*.

Lastly IMO there is NOOOO Way that any Syn oil alone will lower the Engines OIL temp by 30* to 40*... NO - Way will that happen.

Even AmOils only claims a 8*-10* drop (I think that's what they say)



This is what I've done and the results I've gotten.

I also have a 07.. and I bought a ano temp gauge when I bought it new back in 07.

* For the 1st 1k mile and the engine was still tight,
My temp ran right at 250*-255* on the road.

* At the 1K service I did the Normal stg1 With Sert and a full dyno tune.
Temp afterwards dropped to 235*-240* on the road

* At the 5K service I added Sny Oils in all three and it Dropped to 230*-235* on the road.
NOTICE,, only a 5* drop. (Mobile V-twin)

* At 15K I added cams with another full tune on the DYNO.
After the cams She now runs between 215*- 225* on the road in 85* temp.

So I've Done the Stg1, Syn Oils, Cams, SERT tuner with a DYNO and my total results was a drop in average temp from 255* to 220*. Or around 40*..

That's why I don't see or even believe how just a Muff, K&N-Filter, X-ied, job can lower the Engines temp by 90*-100*.. Even if U do use the great Amoils.

Bottom line is most all Harley's benefit from doing mods to the engine to help cool them down from the way they come with all the EPA regs.. And if Ur now running an oil temp of 220* or so thats a big plus from the stock temp..

So good job..


.

 

I agree with OCT1949, there are issues all over this post not to mention a fair lack of understanding as to what does what, but I'm not going to **** over this post. It's good that you "think" you lowered your temps this far and hope you enjoy the road rash from wearing your shorts. Oh and just a note, shorts on a bike flare open like a scoop and will help you collect all kinds of fun bugs in your sack. Enjoy the stinging ones.

 

There you go..the burns are nasty

 

Response:

I know what you mean. It's a big change in temperature. AND Yes I wore the shorts at first then I noticed the high temperature. Then... no more shorts!

My change was due to a combination of things I did. The oil, the new muffler without restrictions, the VIED, the increased air at the air filter and football cover mod, the gearbox oil, and the primary oil. I was at 295 most of the time on the 85 to 90 days of summer. Now I'm always around 215 to 230 even on the hottest and heavy traffic days. The oil temp gauge is the same one from the beginning, and it's a Harley "original" product.

The whole purpose of me posting my mods was to share the benefits of my newfound knowledge with all you guys. I know that the stage 1 mod is the "usual" way to go. But I was trying to beat the "heat issue". My bike runs great, accelerates great (better than before) and I could wear shorts if it ever comes up. (or I can ride with a "thong" wearin' darling on the back.) of course I might need extra blinking modules for the additional distracted drivers on the road.)

What I did cost me a lot less than a stage 1 mod. My bike still looks and is fairly close to stock. I don't think I'm overstating any area of my mods. It was all done, and the temp is down. (a lot!)

 

I had the Stage 1 remap done, and not only did it NOT lower the engine temps, they seemed to go UP.
That was verified by the fact that my mileage also increased by about 4MPG.

Dealer said they were still "bound by EPA rules", which meant it was still way too lean.
The bike did run better, just hotter - there was also a noticeable increase in decel pop.

So ..I added the ViED's and that solved everything.
Oil temps dropped by 20-25° instantly and decel pop is now all but gone - and my gas mileage returned to what it was from the factory, between 40-45MPG.

It took a little time to get them dialed in but once I did, all was well.
The instructions recommended 50-75% for my bike, so I started with 50%.
Not much change there so I gradually increased them 5% at a time eventually working all the way up to 100% over a period of about a week - to give them time to settle in.
Seems the "sweet spot" for me was 75% (3 o'clock on the dial), because at 100%, some of the decel pop returned...
I dialed them back and it's been running like a champ ever since...

 

The hottest I've seen my oil temp get at the H-D analog dipstick is right at 250*. This was on a 100* + day in very heavy stop and go traffic.