Just ordered HD oil temp gauge
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,109
Likes: 3
From: Chattanooga, TN
Yes you can get the spun face oil temp gage for the SE bikes from JP Cycles.
The oil pan is where you want to install the probe. You will need a bushing to adapt the oil temp probe to the pan.
The oil is so thick, if you're quick you can remove the plug where you are going to install oil temp probe and install the probe and only loose a couple of drops of oil. Do not use teflon tape. I just used a small amount of pipe thread sealent on the first several threads. Snug up good, don't over tighten. Mine has never leaked a drop and works great.
The oil pan is where you want to install the probe. You will need a bushing to adapt the oil temp probe to the pan.
The oil is so thick, if you're quick you can remove the plug where you are going to install oil temp probe and install the probe and only loose a couple of drops of oil. Do not use teflon tape. I just used a small amount of pipe thread sealent on the first several threads. Snug up good, don't over tighten. Mine has never leaked a drop and works great.
Last edited by SteveO; Feb 10, 2010 at 09:23 PM.
senior experienced all-knowing leader of the unwise
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,957
Likes: 351
From: USA
I discovered a downside of mounting the sender in the oil pan the other night when i was riding in 35 degree temperature. Cold wind blows right on the transmission pan/sensor and the oil temp was only reading 120 degrees. I know of course it was hotter than that, it runs about 180 in the summer(with oil cooler). I have to unhook the cooler in the winter to keep from overcooling.
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 715
Likes: 1
A couple months back I read a direct quote from the MoCo about the oil temp regarding the optimum & normal temps of engine oil. The say the normal operating oil temps to be 230. Above 260 for extended periods not ideal, but tolerable, especially if you're running synthetic which will give you a better margin of safety. We ditched the air gauge for oil temp on two of the bikes and around town they can easily hit 230-240 when we're hot ******* it around traffic. Sedate driving in modest traffic has us around 200-220. On the highway they'll stay below 200 if we keep the bikes around 70-75. Once we start to drive them a little faster, the temps will rise quite a bit faster right up to a fairly steady 230. We have no oil coolers on those two bikes. And, next oil change they get synthetic. Hope that helps put things into perspective.
Odd, but noteworthy, you know those chrome trim ring kits from Harley for the gauges? Those rings (for some stupid reason) do NOT fit the oil temp gauge. The existing ring on the oil temp gauge is shaped 'just so' that the accessory rings won't fit, don't even bother, considering the thin two-sided tape they provide. Haven't tried it yet, but I have some 3M VHB tape that is thicker and might work, we'll have to see down the road at some point.
Odd, but noteworthy, you know those chrome trim ring kits from Harley for the gauges? Those rings (for some stupid reason) do NOT fit the oil temp gauge. The existing ring on the oil temp gauge is shaped 'just so' that the accessory rings won't fit, don't even bother, considering the thin two-sided tape they provide. Haven't tried it yet, but I have some 3M VHB tape that is thicker and might work, we'll have to see down the road at some point.
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,223
Likes: 6
From: Las Vegas, NV
Interesting. My trim ring fit just fine on my oil temp gauge, as a matter of fact that ring was "looser" on that gauge than the rest of the dash.....
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
The HD kits made in the past six months or so have the adapter included. These have an "A" suffix in the part number.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 862
Likes: 1
From: Western PA
Yep! This is true. I just had a look at the one I bought to have installed.
Also, the lower area of the gauge shows excessive light through it. So if you mount it in a lower hole you will be looking directly at the light where it leaks through. I ended up moving my Volt Gauge to the lower position and putting the Temp Gauge higher. Everything worked fine.
FYI, I bought the McEwan gauge also and it has a light leak even worse than the Harley brand except the light leak is directly in the center, right where the dial come through. I have pictures if you need.
And, yes the current Gauge kit has the sending unit that goes into the oild tank.
Good Luck.
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Tourer
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 323
Likes: 2
From: Central Pennsylvania
I think thats a good idea to move the gauge near the oil pressure.Besides a little wiring never hurt anyone ( I- THINK ) Maybe this weekend i can get it in,and yes it finally stopped snowing yea.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 342
Likes: 0
From: west of the big lake
yes, there is enough wire.