I've read several theads where guys tell (in degrees) how hot their bikes run. Are these readings coming from a dip stick with a built in thermometer?

Hack

 

both. I would guess the vast majority are using the dipstick thermo. I have a fairing mounted gauge. Assuming that most have mounted the fairng gauge using the oil pan extra port to mount the temp sensor your reading essentially the same oil temp. It comes down to device accuracy after that.

I think I saw someone who used both devices on the same bike and was able to comment on the variance beteen the two.

 

I use the H-D digital oil temp/oil level gauge dipstick and it's very convenient. The analog oil temp. dipstick is also what alot of people use and I've used both and foundthe analog dipstickto also be reliable in reading the oil temperature. However, my analog guage tended to draw condensation into the viewing lens over time and it faded out the face of the guage a little bit but still read accurately. Now, with my digital guage I always cover it with a piece of plastic over the head of the dipstick and secure it with a rubber band to repel water when I wash the bike. I know the guage still gets wet when I get caught in the rain but I try to keep any additional water off of it when I can. Also, remember to never sprayhigh pressure waterdirectly on either guage when washing the bike as my dealer recommended.

 

I started with the digital dip stick temp gage. It is OK but I wanted to be able to see it while riding so I installed the dash gage in place of the Air temp gage.

Both run within about 3 degrees of each other.

Ride Safe,

Mike

 

I also installed the fairing mounted gage with the sending unit in the oil pan. I never had the dipstick type on my SG, but I did have one on my deuce. I find the response time of the faring unit is very slow. It takes over a half hour for it to reach a stable temp. I know this is becausethe sending unit ismounted at the bottom of the pan. I put it there because it was an easier install, and I didn't want to lose the oil line cover.

I think the dipstick type on my deucehad a much faster response, probably because the end of the dipstick was closer to where the oil flows in from the return line.

I debating on whether I should relocate the sending unit on my SG to the oil return line like the MOCO recommends.

 

I tried locating the sending unit where MoCo wants me to put it an it was a real PITA. I ended up putting it in the oil tank hole and, although it takes a long time to come up to a working temperature, I feel it's still accurate and representative of how long it takes for the oil to actually reach operating temp. The dipstick shows the temp of the circulating oil only, not the reserve tank's oil temp.