Would be interesting to see the results of that one.

 

Nice write up and testing. I just installed the HD Oil Temp. guage where the Air Temp guage was. The highest engine temp I have recorded was 195. Is the normal for an 2001 88 engine?

 

I'd say that it is. The caveot being riding conditions and ambient air temperatures.

 

If you are reading the new gauge you installed, you are not reading engine temp, you are reading oil temp. They are not the same thing and there is no predictable relationship between the two. Engine temp is cylinder head temperature read by the OEM sensor in the front head, and it changes much faster than oil temp. Another consideration is that the HD gauge is notorious for "reading" low, the scale is out of whack. If you have changed anything on your bike it will be difficult to associate normal.

 

OIC...Thanks Fab..

 

Make sure that your oil is at the high mark then take a ride and bring the oil to running temperature, then stop with the engine running pull the dip stick and insert a digital meat thermometer (available at Harbor Freight for about $4) and let it come to temperature and compare the two. The digital meat thermometers are pretty acurate, but you can check them against boiling water. Remember that water boils at lower temps the higher the altitude.

 

Ok. It's been a few months since I've posted anything in this thread. This post is going to talk about the LeNale fan's reliability. A little over a year since installing the fan I am still a big-time proponent for the cooling capability of the fan and can't imagine I'll ever be without it, or something comparable, but the reliability I have experienced leaves a little to be desired.

About a month ago (approximately one year and 20,000 miles since installing) the fan quit working. It would work intermittently but I couldn't rely upon it. I believe the failure was caused by prolonged exposure to the engine's vibration. Tapping the fan with a hammer would cause it to start and/or stop. That tells me that whatever is causing the fan not to work is vibration related.

So, last week I installed another new fan. This time though, I wanted to provide better isolation from the engine vibration. I ended up making a new bracket that mounts to the frame backbone rather than the original horn bracket that is mounted to the engine. Now the fan sees much less vibration. I remember putting my hand on the fan while riding along at speed when it was mounted in the standard configuration and it was subject to some pretty intense and constant vibration. Now with the new mounting under those same conditions it as smooth as silk. We'll see how long this fan lasts - hopefully much longer.

The new bracket was a little challenging due to the tight clearance between the frame backbone and the gas tank. I actually had to grind the heads of the bolts down after they were installed and torqued, and dimple the tunnel of the gas tank to provide adequate clearance. If I were doing it again, I would cut a slot in the bottom edge of the frame backbone and slide the bracket into the frame rather than bolting it to the outside of the frame as I have done this go-around. If the bracket slid up into the frame the clearance issues would go away.

Another option for mounting the bracket is to simply weld it to the frame, but I didn't want to do that because it would more than likely be a hinderence for any future engine work. I wanted it to be removable when necessary.

Anyways, I just thought I'd provide this update for all of you guys that have been following this thread. I'm still a staunch believer - just need to improve the reliability factor a bit.

 

Somehow missed this thread. First, thanks for taking the time to share your findings! Nicely done. While I don't need one living up here, if I ever do a summer trip to the lower 48, I'd definitely give it some consideration. My bike just simply doesn't get all that hot up here. Even when there's a traffic jam, I've yet to have the EITM kick in, and have yet to see my oil get overly hot(250+). Also think your frame mounted fan idea is a better mousetrap for sure!

Jeff

 

I think you're definately onto something there. Nice job on the chassis bracket. Now we wait. Hope this extends the life of your motor.

 

Thanks for posting that's an interesting application. You did a nice job on it, but can't help but wonder you had to be very carefull drilling and tapping those holes, on my Dyna there is the wiring harness in there.