oil cooler
Does anyone know of a fan that can be fitted to the Harley oil cooler?
http://bigskyfan.tripod.com/id10.html
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,313
Likes: 5
For those of you that have the Ultra Cool, how many miles have you driven with it? It makes sense to me to have one that is fan assisted, but on the other hand, it's another thing to go wrong as well.
So I have 2 questions, how many miles have you had it, and if the fans go out does it still act as a 'passive' cooler? Asking becuase I'm planning on getting a cooler as well. Thanks in advance.
So I have 2 questions, how many miles have you had it, and if the fans go out does it still act as a 'passive' cooler? Asking becuase I'm planning on getting a cooler as well. Thanks in advance.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
If we could find fans that could take the abuse (heat, water, dust, etc.) the idea is a good one. They do slow the ascent of oil temps when stationary, although they won't stop it, and that is useful. I honestly think an oil cooler and an engine fan is the best solution, but I can't mount an engine fan (HD or Lenale) since my air horns take up that space, although I would like to try to rig something like a MC radiator fan to that area.
I've tried mounting fans to my HD Premium cooler on three occasions and never could find fans that would last. My last pair were IP-54's, which are supposedly waterproof and dust-proof, and they quit after two months.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 24,730
Likes: 9,241
From: Snow Hill, NC
Oil cooler ain't worth a crap unless you are moving....HD been makin these bikes for how many years w/o coolers? If you do a lot os city or stop n go then a parade fan would be more what you are looking for.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,916
Likes: 31
From: earth
Oil coolers are fantastic, even when you aren't moving, HD has been making and selling these bikes for years w/o coolers. That's so they can sell you a cooler after they sell you a bike. Member 2black1s documented a parade fan test that indicates it is highly effective at cooling.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,246
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From: Cypress, TX
I've had the HD cooler for over 25,000 miles on my '09. I ride to work in Houston pretty much every day year 'round. Lots of 100+ days. The cooler works fantastic when you're moving or in stop and go traffic. When you're stopped it depends on how long you're stopped for. In stop and go traffic when you can get back up to 30 or 40 before stopping again it cools the bike down quickly and your starting temp is much lower when you fisrt stop. If you have to sit for a while then the bike is still going to heat up. I've been in a few traffic jams and have never had to pull over and turn off the bike for it to cool down. I have been in a couple that I just turned the bike off becuase I was going to be sittng for a long time (it wound up being over 30 mins).
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
I've had the HD cooler for over 25,000 miles on my '09. I ride to work in Houston pretty much every day year 'round. Lots of 100+ days. The cooler works fantastic when you're moving or in stop and go traffic. When you're stopped it depends on how long you're stopped for. In stop and go traffic when you can get back up to 30 or 40 before stopping again it cools the bike down quickly and your starting temp is much lower when you fisrt stop. If you have to sit for a while then the bike is still going to heat up. I've been in a few traffic jams and have never had to pull over and turn off the bike for it to cool down. I have been in a couple that I just turned the bike off becuase I was going to be sittng for a long time (it wound up being over 30 mins).
They do put coolers on all bikes with 103 or larger engines and should put them on the smaller ones too, IMO. They don't put them on all bikes for several reasons, mostly because it will increase the MSRP and make them less competitive, and running at high temps won't likely cause short-term harm to the bike. They are only worried about any problems during the warranty period, so after that you're on your own. They include coolers in the 103 Power Pack since it is an option and the buyer can opt out if desired, and the CVO's cost a fortune anyway and appeal to a different demographic (people with more money than me). To me there is no doubt that a good thermostatically controlled cooler will increase engine life, all other factors being equal.
Last edited by iclick; May 23, 2011 at 01:15 PM.