Oil Temp gauge install

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Jul 18, 2007 | 08:50 AM

Uncle Fester

Thread Starter

Tourer

Joined: Sep 2005

Posts: 415

Likes: 0

From: DC

Oil Temp gauge install

I'm considerin' swapping out the uselessair tempfairing gauge for the oil temp gauge. I know oil temp's not "critical" to know, but if I'm gonna have the gauge there, may as well have one that tells me something. Anyway, anyone done this install? Is it something your average weekend wrencher can do, or is this a pro job?

Jul 18, 2007 | 08:55 AM

UltraDuke

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Jul 2007

Posts: 2,136

Likes: 3

From: Parts Unkown

RE: Oil Temp gauge install

I had the stealer install the guage upon delivery, to mount the guage requires the mounting bracket(which is actually the bracket to install a cooler too. this bracket has a built in thermostat which will not register till about 180)
I have found this guage invaluable as far as overtemp conditions for my bike.
a good item to have.

Jul 18, 2007 | 08:59 AM

rideon

Road Warrior

Joined: Jan 2006

Posts: 1,282

Likes: 115

From: British Columbia

RE: Oil Temp gauge install

I put the wally's cycle world gauge in mine, easy install, great price, works well and looks just like the HD gauges.

Jul 18, 2007 | 09:11 AM

fatboylust

Road Captain

Joined: Apr 2006

Posts: 554

Likes: 0

From: Western Washington State

RE: Oil Temp gauge install

Here is a link with some of the related forum history on the oil gage install: https://www.hdforums.com/searchpro.a...bmitbutton=+OK+

FBL

Jul 18, 2007 | 09:54 AM

iclick

Extreme HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2005

Posts: 11,615

Likes: 50

From: Baton Rouge, LA

RE: Oil Temp gauge install

Quote:

ORIGINAL: Uncle Fester

I'm considerin' swapping out the uselessair tempfairing gauge for the oil temp gauge. I know oil temp's not "critical" to know, but if I'm gonna have the gauge there, may as well have one that tells me something. Anyway, anyone done this install? Is it something your average weekend wrencher can do, or is this a pro job?

I disagree that the oil temp isn't critical to keep track of. It is my most-used gauge, perhaps second to the speedo or tach. I've had oil-temp gauges in all my cars and MC's since the mid-70's, except my '95 Dyna since there were none available. I have the HD gauge, but if I had to do it again I'd probably buy the McEwan gauge from Wally's since it's cheaper and seems to be good quality. I ended up using the adapter-on-the-pan location for the sender rather than the more elaborate location in the HD instructions. Works fine there.

Jul 18, 2007 | 10:03 AM

tarheelrdr

Tourer

Joined: Feb 2007

Posts: 444

Likes: 0

From:

RE: Oil Temp gauge install

I just installed the hd guage yesterday, Look on search to find different ways to install the sending unit and wiring, Much easier than the factory instructions. I have the oil dipstick w/ temp/oil level but I like to see the temps while I'm riding also.The hardest thing for me was tring to get the bracket on to the back of the guage. You should have no problems.

Jul 18, 2007 | 10:30 AM

NCCopBikeRider

Road Warrior

Joined: Jun 2007

Posts: 1,539

Likes: 7

From:

RE: Oil Temp gauge install

At the advice of Harleypingman, we moved the voltage meter to the blank hole on our Cop Glide and installed the Temperature Sensor in it's place.

We mounted the sending unit next to the drain plug using a 3/8" x 1/8" brass adapter, wire the power and ground per the Harley instruction and everything went well.

PingMan aldo suggested a search of the Touring files, and they were very helpful.

Good Luck.

Ride Em Carry Em

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Jul 18, 2007 | 10:43 AM

Harleypingman

Extreme HDF Member

Joined: Apr 2006

Posts: 10,449

Likes: 46

From: Roswell, GA

RE: Oil Temp gauge install

The oil temp gauge is like the other 2" gauges; it monitors a condition. The only one we regularly rely upon is the fuel gauge for obvious reasons. But like the volt meter or oil pressure, they will tell us of abnormal conditions. In the case of the oil temperature gauge, it would let you know if there is a problem causing the bike to run abnormally hot for the conditions. There is a recent post about the ECM not holding a/f causing the bike to run in an excessivley lean condition which can burn pistons, etc. That lean condition also causes a significant increase in heat which, without a cylinder head or oil temp gauge, can exist for a long time doing serious engine damage, but the oil pressure would not show anything abnormal.

Owning a police model EG, I never had the air temp gauge. Butwhen I bought the spun aluminum gauges I decided to replace the uselessair temp gauge included with the set I purchased with a potentially useful diagnostic oil temp gauge. Chances are that theengine will never encounter excessive heat that will be reflected in the oil temp gauge; (theseBig Twins are very reliable), but in the small chance that there is a problem with excessive heat I will know of it much more quickly with the gauge than without and the sooner the condition is known and dealt with the less chance for serious engine damage.So, for me, replacing a useless gauge with one thatis useful (potentially critcially useful)was worth the $$$ and installation time. JMHO.