I can sympathize with your experience in this regard.

I've learned a bit after spending years tuning this bike with a PCV, PCV-AT, and now a PV. I can monitor Lambda with the PV display unit through the AT-100 module, and I get no positive effect running the bike at 13.5:1 vs. 14.6:1 (stock) in the cruise range, except a small change in FCHT (~7°F) under cruise conditions. Richer will likely help somewhat in stop-and-go when CHT's become elevated (>300°), and that's why I keep a rich tune on the PV for those situations. I also had a rich map on the PCV when that was installed, and in that case it was switchable on the fly. With the PV I must stop the bike and flash the ECM to make the change, but to date I've never used it. Even with the PCV's ability to toggle on the fly I almost never used the richer map, and in testing between the two (13.5 and 14.6) in the cruise range I could not tell any difference in ridability, radiated heat, throttle response, or oil temperature on this bike.

Of course I do transition into a richer AFR after about 40% TP (PCV) or 85% KPA (PV), maxing at 13.0 @ 100% TP, as this obviously does make a difference in WOT performance.

I've always believed that keeping engine temps as consistent as possible will maximize longevity. I tend to keep bikes for the long haul, usually >100k miles, so if this mindset is valid it should make a difference. Also, oil oxidization increases exponentially with escalating temperatures, and healthier oil means a healthier engine. Will keeping the operating-temp spread tighter make a meaningful difference in engine longevity? I don't know, but I want to try to keep things as consistent as possible in the belief that it will.

I tend to think like Fabrik8r, that cooling is important and keeping maximum OT and CHT as low as possible (within reason) is a good thing. I do like the idea of a parade fan for the reasons mentioned here and elsewhere, but I don't know where I would relocate my air horns, and I need those for obvious reasons. If I had trouble with engine temps I would find a solution, but I've seen 330° (FCHT) and 240° OT twice on this bike so far in really bad gridlock, so it isn't like I'm running hot very often. Hitting even 230° is more common but also rare, maybe 2-3 times per year only in summer traffic. I feel like this is acceptable, so the parade fan isn't on my imminent accessory list. That said, from time to time I do try to think of ways to mount a MC radiator fan, Spal 5.2 or 6.5" fan, or similar in some location to blow on the heads, but to date I haven't figured out a solution.

Very true.

 

I took a ride in a friend's ZR1 last Sunday, and that 638-hp car has a 10.5-qt. pan. I would imagine there's a reason for this, in this car anyway. Comparing a 1-qt. increase in a low-revving Harley wouldn't be the same as a 2.5-qt. increase (compared to an LS7) in a high-tech, race-ready engine.

 

I know....I'm one of those that would get really obsessive if I had a temp gauge. If I'm riding with someone with a gauge, yup I'm asking him all the time till they give me stuff about it LOL. I would end up running off the road.. constantly looking down at the filler cap..crazy. hey you said you have a dipstick that tells you oil level.....can you give us more details on that cuz I'm always frying my hands checking that silly thing.....thanks

 

I take a lot of comfort from that 05Train. Do you have a TC or an 88?

 

Before I go, I want to thank 05Train & fabrik8r as well as all participants for sharing what appears to be a good amount of knowledge with this forum. I have benefited and appreciate your input...Tucci

 

Here is the part. This picture is wrong. Get the one for touring bikes. Mine was made in Germany.
http://www.harley-davidson.com/gma/g...bmLocale=en_US

 

I knew you would......

I run closed loop(.977-.982 Lambda/14.34-14.42 AFR) from 30-75kPa up to 2000rpm (excepting idle), and from 30-55kPa from 2250-3500rpm. I haven't done exhaustive CHT and oil temperature tests, but I do monitor both when I datalog, and I haven't seen anything I feel I need to worry about. Riding solo, I'm getting around 43mpg....That ain't bad. And the sucker's punchy as hell. As I've mentioned, people ask me what cams I'm running, and they're shocked when I tell them the bike's stock.

I think there was some real logic to that in the past, but both manufacturing tolerances and metallurgy, as well as oil quality have dramatically improved in the last 20 years or so. As I've mentioned, I send in oil sampled every 5,000 miles, and there's nothing in the testing to indicate that there's anything bad going on inside my engine. Nearly 45,000 miles so far, and from the way you describe yourself, I ride a lot harder than you (like I'll spend an hour in the mountains with the bike never being below 4,000~4,500rpm).

FWIW, I don't think there's any harm done keeping your engine cooler (within reason). I think the parade fans look silly, and I've never felt the need for one (even stuck in midtown Manhattan traffic in July). It's my opinion, based on my experience, that you'll see far more benefit to motor having it tuned properly than you will by adding an oil cooler or a fan.

The Night Train has a TC 88 that's been bored and stroked into a high-compression 103. The Limited has a stock TC 103 with pipes and an air cleaner.

 

Try this one also. Pretty nice gauge

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Harley-Touri...ht_4080wt_1344

 

Thanks for the shout out, I'm glad you got something positive out of something I've posted.

 

FYI: I found this phone app pretty useful for monitoring engine temperature. I guess the meat thermometer would work also: