Yea....this topic had been beat to ****. Thing is, many guys out there have no clue about the HD Gauge kit (or the other brands), or the MOCO's numbers for normal operating oil temp. A very popular topic indeed.....its just there are so many opinions on oil and what temp is too high or too low, its almost impossible to come up with one answer that fits everyone.

 

+1 what he said...

 

[QUOTE=FXWGG;4092336]http://www.directharleyparts.com/vir...=88&PVSID=3013

 

I am using Radio Shack fans. I have a thermostat switch to kick them on @ 200 degrees F. A synthetic oil may be OK at 240 degrees, but that does not mean that high oil temp is really good for an air-cooled motor. We should try to maintain about 200 degrees to reduce deposits and reduce detonation as well. Liquid-cooled motor's oil temps often are very similar to the coolant temps. Many liquid-cooled motors are designed to run about 200 degrees as well, which is a reasonable compromise between efficiency, emissions and mileage.

 

I see moco has a oil cap now that reads oil temp and level too, dont mean to jack the thread but that is much simpler to install but the drawback is couldnt see it at a glance. price is $140

 

For about 50 bucks, you can buy a infrared hand held thermoeter. Sure, you will need to be off your bike to measure the oil tank temps, but you can also measure the oil temps in the engine pan that are much hotter than the tank. also the crank case temps near the lifters,are 20-30 degrees hotter than the oil tank temps.
for some real fun, measure the head temps! I'm not even going to tell you how hot those suckers get on my 08 ultra, but there is almost a 70 degree differance between the two.
Checking your tire temps is also enteresting, about 150-170' after cruising 80 mph.

 

O-K,
I'll tell ya...
The rear cylinder head temp on my Ultra duing a hard ride to Stugis was 450 degrees, after stopping at a rest stop.
What is the oil temp of the oil in the heads? I'm afraid to ask.

 

The temperature gauge (fairing mounted type) has some benefits. I did a search about this and found that most that had installed them thought about either removing it or thought they should not have gotten one. They pay too much attention to it while riding. I had bought the HD one and after reading these posts I still have not installed it. I did add the HD premium oil cooler and it does a good job, don't need a oil temperature gauge to know when the heat is dropping. The fan is a good idea but I already have a fan to use when I am not moving and the cooler will drop the temp. quick once you start moving. There were many that did like the gauge.
Any body interested in one.
Jim

 

I like mine and have one on all my bikes. Never liked idiot lights. I like to know what my engine is doing while it's doing it.

lp

 

I agree. I had one on my last bike and obsessed about the oil temp. Looked every time I stopped. I purposely didn't get one for this bike. What I don't know wont hurt me. I can tell when the bike is too hot.