What's the normal running temp?
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 109
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From: Norcal
What's the normal running temp?
600 miles ago I converted my 883 to a 1200. I have an oil temp gauge and it used to run about 150-200 and around 250 on a hot day uphill. Now with the 1200 and the ignition mod on a cool day and flat ground it's 250. Is this "normal"?
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 486
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From:
RE: What's the normal running temp?
On my stock 1200N long rides, 90°+ day, 250°-275° is the oil temp. Your probably seeing the higher temps from the fact that you have larger pistons creating more friction with the same cooling fins trying to keep everything cool. The heat goes to the next easiest substance to transferto..the oil. I am sure there are other thermodynamics involved but thats the most basic answer I can come up with. Until the oil temps start cranking up solid into the 300° range, all is good.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
Likes: 306
From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
RE: What's the normal running temp?
That sounds a bit high to me. On a hot day here 90*, I might see 200* and 220-225 in stop & go traffic. If you are not running synthetic oil you should consider doing so. In 1000 miles, dino oil becomes pretty much worthless if you are running temps above 250*.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
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From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
RE: What's the normal running temp?
ORIGINAL: soliveria
Is that with synth oil? ...
Is that with synth oil? ...
There is lots of oil info in this section of the forum: https://www.hdforums.com/forumid_222/tt.htm
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Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 657
Likes: 4
From: Daytona Beach
RE: What's the normal running temp?
Sounds like there's more going on than just a simple change of oil types.I'm runnig high lift cams(.615)and high compression(10 3/4:1) on my 1200.During break-in I ran common 20-50(about 2500 mi.)and never reached near that temp.Maybe 230 tops in the summer in Fla.Maybe a problem in the valve train? I had a rear lifter take a **** a while backwhich eventualy took out the rear intake cam lobe.My temps were running in the 250+ range but everythig else seemed ok.Couldn't figure it outfor a while. Later on it started making noise.Then I knew exactley what it was.
I'm not saying this is the problem,but it may be more than just switching to synthetic oil.
I'm not saying this is the problem,but it may be more than just switching to synthetic oil.
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Club Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,815
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From: Virginia
RE: What's the normal running temp?
When I had my conversion done it also jumped up to about 250 degree temps when before it was about 220. Used Mobil 1 20w50 v twin synthetic oil before and after conversion. Something wasn't right though as I was using about 1 quart of oil every 500 miles.
Is yours using oil that badly?
Is yours using oil that badly?