oil temp. gauge
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2007
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oil temp. gauge
So I have a 09 flhx and would like to monitor the oil temp since the air temp is nice but not so vital. Does my bike already pre wired for the gauge or is there more than meets the eye. It didn't say on the subscription of the oil gauge of more stuff needed. Thanks guys.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 69
From: Near Myrtle Beach, SC
Yes and no. The oil temp kit will include the sensor, leads from the sensor that will get you across the bottom of the bike, up the frame tube, across the neck, and into the faring.
You will actually use the cable, specifically the end of the cable that plugs into the air temp sensor, to plug into the cable coming up from the sensor.
Remove the air temp gauge (when you remove the retainer the gauge can fall out so don't let it fall out and hit/scratch/dent something. )
Replace with oil temp gauge, apply retainer, then connect the leads that use to connect into the back of the air temp guage to the terminals on your new oil temp gauge.
Instructions say to drain the oil first. Some do, some don't. I did because I didn't want oil contaminating the threads where the sensor screws in. Also I found that the sensor is very stubborn when you try to screw it into the adapter that screws into the oil pan. You have to screw it in, unscrew it, screw it in, etc. until you cut enough brass thread to get the sensor most if not all of the way into the adaptor.
If you do not get the sensor well inserted (screwed) well into the adapter, you will not get an accurate oil temp reading...ie...it will read low when the oil temp is actually much hotter. Air flow circulating around the rear of an improperly seated sensor can tend to keep the sensor in a cooler state than it would be had it been seated to the proper depth in the adapter, exposing the sensor more fully to the oil.
You will actually use the cable, specifically the end of the cable that plugs into the air temp sensor, to plug into the cable coming up from the sensor.
Remove the air temp gauge (when you remove the retainer the gauge can fall out so don't let it fall out and hit/scratch/dent something. )
Replace with oil temp gauge, apply retainer, then connect the leads that use to connect into the back of the air temp guage to the terminals on your new oil temp gauge.
Instructions say to drain the oil first. Some do, some don't. I did because I didn't want oil contaminating the threads where the sensor screws in. Also I found that the sensor is very stubborn when you try to screw it into the adapter that screws into the oil pan. You have to screw it in, unscrew it, screw it in, etc. until you cut enough brass thread to get the sensor most if not all of the way into the adaptor.
If you do not get the sensor well inserted (screwed) well into the adapter, you will not get an accurate oil temp reading...ie...it will read low when the oil temp is actually much hotter. Air flow circulating around the rear of an improperly seated sensor can tend to keep the sensor in a cooler state than it would be had it been seated to the proper depth in the adapter, exposing the sensor more fully to the oil.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
I've installed four of these kits for my bike and friends and although the process isn't rocket science I would allocate at least two hours to do the job right. The ATG and new OTG retaining screws are not easy to access, which IMO is the most aggravating part of the job. On mine ('07 SG) I ran the wires under the tank and had to make a small harness to adapt the wires/connectors on the bike to the gauge. Newer kits seem to address this issue better and provide a mostly plug-and-play harness that fits everything except the sender wire to existing connectors on the bike (i.e., the old ATG harness).
With newer kits you probably won't be able to run the wires under the tank for a seamless installation, as with kits I've installed recently the harness isn't long enough. Don't extend the wire length by jury rigging (i.e., solder and heat-shrink) to make this happen since this may affect gauge accuracy. It is best to just follow the instructions and run the wires up the down tubes in front of the engine, even though it bothers me to clutter the appearance of the bike in this manner. I wish HD had given us enough wire length to run it under the tank, for those of us willing to take a bit more time in the interest of cosmetic appeal.
I've never drained the oil to do this job. The sender can be installed with almost no loss of oil, maybe a teaspoon or two if you have normal reflexes and can pull the plug out and insert the sender quickly. If you fumble around you may make a mess, so YMMV on the extent of oil loss.
It's just amounts to a bit of time out of your life for a very worthwhile addition to your information array.
With newer kits you probably won't be able to run the wires under the tank for a seamless installation, as with kits I've installed recently the harness isn't long enough. Don't extend the wire length by jury rigging (i.e., solder and heat-shrink) to make this happen since this may affect gauge accuracy. It is best to just follow the instructions and run the wires up the down tubes in front of the engine, even though it bothers me to clutter the appearance of the bike in this manner. I wish HD had given us enough wire length to run it under the tank, for those of us willing to take a bit more time in the interest of cosmetic appeal.
I've never drained the oil to do this job. The sender can be installed with almost no loss of oil, maybe a teaspoon or two if you have normal reflexes and can pull the plug out and insert the sender quickly. If you fumble around you may make a mess, so YMMV on the extent of oil loss.
It's just amounts to a bit of time out of your life for a very worthwhile addition to your information array.
Last edited by iclick; Jun 20, 2013 at 03:06 PM.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 167
Likes: 4
From: SoCal
Check out this thread as well as the thread that is referenced in the OP. Both have good info. It looks pretty straight forward. Considering that there will be some oil lose on the install, a good time to do this might be when you have your next routine mx. Just drain all the oil one time...unless you're really fast.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...tall-pics.html
Good luck, and let us know how it went/lessons learned.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...tall-pics.html
Good luck, and let us know how it went/lessons learned.
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Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: Arizona
So I have a 09 flhx and would like to monitor the oil temp since the air temp is nice but not so vital. Does my bike already pre wired for the gauge or is there more than meets the eye. It didn't say on the subscription of the oil gauge of more stuff needed. Thanks guys.
Ran the sensor wire towards the rear tire on the right side of the inner lower frame tube. Then went up to the battery area along mid frame tube, next to ABS lines, under the left side of the tank inside the cable trof and right into the air temp sensor harness plug on the left side of the neck. Then swapped the gauge, changed oil filter and refilled oil. All wiring is hidden and it turned out nice and clean.
I was concerned the included wire was not going to be long enough and had extra wire with shrink tube on hand just in case. Didn't need it. Included wire just made it with a few inches to spare.
Works perfectly and gets rid off the useless air temp gauge.
Well worth the 100 bucks! Temps average around 190-220 here in AZ with outside temps 90-105deg.
Last edited by Cliff-AZ; Jun 20, 2013 at 08:21 PM.
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Road Master
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 881
Likes: 13
From: ONT
I installed mine quite some time ago. I didn't drain the oil. Did the job while the bike was cool and oil was thick. Lost less than a teaspoonful of oil. The scale on the HD gauge is very confusing but once you get used to it doesn't matter. I find it pretty handy when sitting traffic. Installation wasn't much of a challenge. After you install it don't panic. It takes quite a while before the oil in the crankcase comes up to temperature especially if you have an oil cooler.
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