06 RK Oil cooler
Thread Starter
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2nd Gear
Joined: Aug 2025
Posts: 6
Likes: 1
From: Freeport FL
06 RK Oil cooler
Happy Labor Day,
I hope all you hard working folks get a chance to get some seat time on your bikes this weekend. It rained here in NW FL off and on all day yesterday, but I've already been out for breakfast and a 40 mile ride this morning. It is starting to cool down a bit here, but these hot summer days are rough on me and my old air cooled Road King. This thing will absolutely roast your legs off on a 100deg day (especially the right leg), and I was curious as to just how much heat my engine puts out, so I used an infrared thermometer to check my engine temps when I got back this morning. it is hard to get an acurate reading on the chrome heads, but I measured the flat spot just next to the spark plugs and after a 40 moile run on a 70 deg morning it is reading 300 deg on the rear cylinder and 260 on the front. Have any of you guys tried the Ultracool oil cooler? I am thinking about ordering the below regulator version and thouight I'd check in with you guys first. They cost nearly $500, so not an inexpensive mod.
I hope all you hard working folks get a chance to get some seat time on your bikes this weekend. It rained here in NW FL off and on all day yesterday, but I've already been out for breakfast and a 40 mile ride this morning. It is starting to cool down a bit here, but these hot summer days are rough on me and my old air cooled Road King. This thing will absolutely roast your legs off on a 100deg day (especially the right leg), and I was curious as to just how much heat my engine puts out, so I used an infrared thermometer to check my engine temps when I got back this morning. it is hard to get an acurate reading on the chrome heads, but I measured the flat spot just next to the spark plugs and after a 40 moile run on a 70 deg morning it is reading 300 deg on the rear cylinder and 260 on the front. Have any of you guys tried the Ultracool oil cooler? I am thinking about ordering the below regulator version and thouight I'd check in with you guys first. They cost nearly $500, so not an inexpensive mod.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,923
Likes: 266
From: Deep in the heart of New Jersey
I have a '06 Police road king, and I gotta believe just about every bike made back in the day had a stage one upgrade installed by the dealer. My bike runs hot on a hot day like you've mentioned, but it's not unbearable. I do not have an oil cooler either, But I don't think that would help anything unless all you do is ride slowly around town, or do alot of idling. My manual says that the oil temp when the bike is warmed up should be about 230f. What's yours?. What weight oil do you run?. You can run straight 50 or 60 wt, in extremely hot weather. That might help with the heat being given off. But being an air cooled engine, and tested by Harley when designed, the engine should be able to be run in hot temps and left running during a traffic stop like Police bikes are, without causing damage. If for some reason you ride your bike with shorts on, you might notice the heat more. But there's a easy cure for that.,,
Thread Starter
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2nd Gear
Joined: Aug 2025
Posts: 6
Likes: 1
From: Freeport FL
Thanks Big C,
Yeah, the original owner did get the stage one upgrade. I'm running Mobile one 20W50 in mine now, but it is nearly time for another service . I don't currently have a way to accuratly check my oil temp, but I've ordered a dipstick thermometer, and will post my findings. It is my understanding that Harley did install oil coolers on the higher end CVO bikes, but cheaped out on the standard models. I've done a bunch of research on oil coolers since yesterday, and while an oil cooler can increase performance and reduce heat stress, I don't think it will make much difference to the felt heat in my seat. There are some other less expensive mods that I am exploring as well. Have any of you guys done a tank lift on your touring bikes? They claim it will help with both heat and buffeting.
Yeah, the original owner did get the stage one upgrade. I'm running Mobile one 20W50 in mine now, but it is nearly time for another service . I don't currently have a way to accuratly check my oil temp, but I've ordered a dipstick thermometer, and will post my findings. It is my understanding that Harley did install oil coolers on the higher end CVO bikes, but cheaped out on the standard models. I've done a bunch of research on oil coolers since yesterday, and while an oil cooler can increase performance and reduce heat stress, I don't think it will make much difference to the felt heat in my seat. There are some other less expensive mods that I am exploring as well. Have any of you guys done a tank lift on your touring bikes? They claim it will help with both heat and buffeting.
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Joined: May 2008
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From: South Carolina
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That there were funny! LOL
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,923
Likes: 266
From: Deep in the heart of New Jersey
Thanks Big C,
Yeah, the original owner did get the stage one upgrade. I'm running Mobile one 20W50 in mine now, but it is nearly time for another service . I don't currently have a way to accuratly check my oil temp, but I've ordered a dipstick thermometer, and will post my findings. It is my understanding that Harley did install oil coolers on the higher end CVO bikes, but cheaped out on the standard models. I've done a bunch of research on oil coolers since yesterday, and while an oil cooler can increase performance and reduce heat stress, I don't think it will make much difference to the felt heat in my seat. There are some other less expensive mods that I am exploring as well. Have any of you guys done a tank lift on your touring bikes? They claim it will help with both heat and buffeting.
Yeah, the original owner did get the stage one upgrade. I'm running Mobile one 20W50 in mine now, but it is nearly time for another service . I don't currently have a way to accuratly check my oil temp, but I've ordered a dipstick thermometer, and will post my findings. It is my understanding that Harley did install oil coolers on the higher end CVO bikes, but cheaped out on the standard models. I've done a bunch of research on oil coolers since yesterday, and while an oil cooler can increase performance and reduce heat stress, I don't think it will make much difference to the felt heat in my seat. There are some other less expensive mods that I am exploring as well. Have any of you guys done a tank lift on your touring bikes? They claim it will help with both heat and buffeting.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,913
Likes: 2,545
I had a ten row Jagg on both my 08 FXSTC and FLHTCU which compared to the Oilbud I have on both bikes now was useless. I drank the Jagg koolaid once upon a time and it wound up costing me for another cooler that actually works.
Last edited by xwhyz1959; Sep 1, 2025 at 04:59 PM.