Engine Operating Temperature
On the highway cruising at a set speed around 230-240 from what I have seen on my friends bike but in traffic I have seen his oil temp gauge hit 290. Thank god for synthetic oil. If you see oil temps hit 300 shut the bike off if it doesn't go into limp mode
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1st Gear
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Cameron
I just switched over to a synthetic oil and was told that it would reduce the heat coming off the engine. I checked the temperature after changing the oil and it was running at 243 degrees. That doesn't seem like too much of a reduction in temperature.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 10,216
Likes: 224
From: Glendale AZ
Synthetic oil is not a panacia for running temperatures. It will stay stable and not break down like regular crude but that's it. Any oil company claiming their oil keeps engines cooler are making false claims. Use a good quality synthetic, put an oil cooler on it then just ride and enjoy. Toss those distracting temp monitors they are causing obsessive monitoring when you need to keep your attention on the road. These are air cooled engines and made to run in the temperature ranges observed by the OP. If engine temperatures are that big a concern then a brand with a radiator is probably what the bike choice should have been.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,916
Likes: 31
From: earth
Starplee, “normal” engine oil temp will be peculiar to your bike as it is configured, tuned, and ridden. Your quoted temp is not too alarming, as mentioned an oil cooler will help. Understand that your temps don’t spike until you stop moving, but it only takes 2-4 minutes in stopped traffic before your CHT triggers the EITMS, Oil transfers heat a lot slower so it will take longer for your oil temp to peak, it takes a lot longer to cool back down once you start moving. It is easier to keep your bike cooler in the first place than it is to try to cool it back down after it gets hot. If you are in a hot climate or do a lot of traffic riding, a parade fan is your best bet. As an experiment I tried the synthetic to see if it lowers temps like so many have claimed, no difference in temp, but the valve train was a little quieter. I totally agree that anybody who is so single task oriented they can't safely operate their motorcycle and occasionally glance at the dash without crashing, should definitely remove the oil temp gauge; should probably also forego the radio, GPS, IPOD, Iphone, intercom, CB and all the other gauges and focus distracting gee jaws. Little known fact that fuel level hysteria is a close second for causing fatal crashes.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
I've noticed oil temps going down after changing from fossil to synthetic oil on several vehicles, usually by 10° or more. Some were new changing from fossil to syn and some well-broken-in. I think the difference is the additive package, not the base-stock itself, as syn tends to have more expensive and effective anti-friction additives than cheaper fossil products.
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
This depends on the source of "engine operating temperature." For oil, my '07 rarely exceeds 205° in S. LA summer riding, only very rarely hitting 230° in traffic (only once this summer). "Engine temperature" measured by the ECM on the front head runs 225-235° in summer when moving >45mph, usually not higher than 280° in traffic. I have an oil cooler, and IMO all TC engines should have one.
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 254
Likes: 24
From: Texas
Also, after putting on the Rinehart Extreme TD's, it is difficult to check the oil level without burning your hand. So I put in the digital press to test oil level/temp dip stick. It was made Germany (at least not Chinwanese like all the other Harley parts) and it works really well. Check it at gas up.
This bike seems to run in the 220-260 range depending on conditions. Riding out of TX you can easily see OAT's ranging from 40-110F in the same day. I read have always heard that oil temps need to reach at least 212 to boil off condensation in the engine/oil. That does not seem to be a problem. About 3K on this bike so far and still running HD 360.
Keep those eyes on the road Tucci!
Woolly
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,979
Likes: 2
From: Northern Colorado
The normal operating temperature for a stock TC96 is about 230°F according to the manual. Your results may vary depending on conditions and setup.