| Author | Message | ||
     Electraglider_1997 |
I modified the dipstick by razor blading off the "stick" and then drilling a hole through the dipstick top. Then I high temp siliconed a 220 F degree meat temperature probe into the dipstick top. I can look down and see the temp while I'm stopped with no problem. I rode for about 15 minutes or so and finally the fan came on and it read 200 F. Everybody seems to worry about the engine overheating so I'll keep a running log of temp vs time in saddle and outside air temps and such. I have a feeling we have nothing to worry about. The photos aren't the best because the flash obscured the numbers on the temp probe. It works great though.   | ||
| Pwnzor |
A very nice mod, can't believe I didn't think of that, but I'm going to do that TONIGHT with my stock dipstick.  | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Harley actually sells a temp probe dipstick for about 100 bucks that is nothing more than my mod. The meat probe only costs about 10 bucks or so. | ||
| Chadhargis |
Is the probe the same length as the stock dipstick? Did you transfer the "ADD" and "FULL" marks to it? | ||
| Jackbequick |
"..transfer the "ADD" and "FULL" marks to it..." I did that to a similar thermometer probe by cutting a couple of narrow rings of adhesive lined heat shrink tubing and putting them on. You don't want to cut through that probe if you can avoid it. eBay is like Nirvana for people looking for heat shrink tubing, thermometers, temperature controllers and stuff like that. Things like this. Jack | ||
| Brucelee |
That is a neat idea. However, the overheating issue seems to be more concerned about head temps and there does not seem to be much correlation between engine oil temp at the sump and the head temps. At least, I haven't seen such a correlation in the posts here so far. Having said that, if there was a nice looking oil temp gauge for the XB, I would buy one. (Message edited by brucelee on August 08, 2006) | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Chadhargis, The probe length is dependent on how far you counter bore the temp gauge top into the solid thermoset plastic Buell dipstick top. Actually if you wanted to, you could use a drill press and leave the original stick in place and offset the probe hole so that the temp probe would end up right next to the original stick. That would be the best way to do it. I have two of these meat probes and I just microwaved some water for 2.5 minutes and they both read 179 degrees so they appear to be calibrated the same. Anyway, you can't beat the price of this thing. Brucelee, As for the comment on head temps and oil temp at the sump correlation or lack of. I don't believe that anybody has concluded that there isn't a direct correlation. There would have to be once the engine is warmed up properly. Of course environmental conditions would have to be included as variables in the mix. One thing I am not sure of at this time is how far the oil level changes inside the swing arm tank when the engine is running compared to when it is off. Might affect whether the probe is actually in the oil while the bike is running. I don't think most of us check the oil while the engine is running. My wife's Yamaha has a site glass for checking the oil and the level changes quite a bit between running and off as it scavenges for oil. | ||
| Adrian_8 |
Pretty cool idea...I have one of the HD Digital Thermometers on my Super Glide...Several times when I get home on the ULY I quickly stick the HD thermometer into the ULYs oil tank and the temp is around 185 degrees on a hot day...like you said the oil temp is of no concern.....The fan and the oil cooler are doing a good job..the HD will run close to 220 degrees on a hot day. (no fan/no oil cooler) | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Adrian, How do you like the your Superglide? | ||
| Roadrailer |
Is the probe the same length as the stock dipstick? Did you transfer the "ADD" and "FULL" marks to it? I'll second this question, as I've not seen it answered yet. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Length is a little bit shorter but longer than where the add mark on the original stick is. If you care to do this mod then just leave the original stick in place and follow my directions in my 10:20 post. I suppose I could shrink tube the plastic stick to the temp probe. Read my 10:20 post and do that so that you don't have to razor off the dipstick. Should of done that myself. Another thing is that maybe these probes can be found in longer lengths. I just used one of the two that were in the kitchen drawer. The other one also had Med Rare, Medium, and Well on it. The one I used only had temp markings on it. | ||
| Jlnance |
they both read 179 degrees so they appear to be calibrated the same. If you let it boil, it will be 212F, regardless of how hard it's boiling. Thats an easy way to get a known temp. | ||
| Xbimmer |
American ingenuity at its best, E-glider!  | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
I did a bit more work on this probe so that the probe is now the identical length of the old dipstick. I used a spade bit to bore down into the hard plastic top the required depth to get the probe the proper length. The plastic that is left is still very stiff and strong with no give. It is very tough plastic. Again the flash obscures the gage face. I had to use the other temp probe that has the Med Rare, Medium and Well on the gage face and that is the red you see in the photo. It is high temp siliconed into place so that there is no possibility of oil seepage.   | ||
| Dennis_c |
Is your wife mad at you with her temp probe gone?  | ||
| Wademan |
You should make them and sell them to us for a profit. I know I would buy one. | ||
| Roadrailer |
But does it have marks for "full" and "add"? If not, it's pretty useless as a dipstick, isn't it? And I'd argue that reading the oil level is a more important function of a dipstick than reading the oil temp. The bike does already have a temp sensor that will trigger the dummy light and put the bike into "skip spark" mode if it actually overheats, correct? | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Dennis, She chews me out at least once per day about something or other and I never can understand why. Wademan, The mod is easy and the probe is about 10 bucks. I'd make them if it was worth my time. | ||
| Chadhargis |
I've seen wireless meat thermometers. Might be cool to take the display out of the receiver unit and mount it on the instrument panel somewhere. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Roadrailer, What is there to argue about? This dipstick now has two functions and I will add markings today. Adding markings to a dipstick is certainly not rocket science. Now just chill for awhile because I have to hold a seance so that I can consult Robert Oppenheimer and Albert Einstein on this matter. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Just remember that the heat of the meat is inversely proportional to the cube of the tube. | ||
| Roadrailer |
Roadrailer, What is there to argue about? This dipstick now has two functions and I will add markings today. Adding markings to a dipstick is certainly not rocket science. Now just chill for awhile because I have to hold a seance so that I can consult Robert Oppenheimer and Albert Einstein on this matter.  No argument here, just asking a logical question. I agree that adding marking to the dipstick isn't complicated, but since none of your pics showed any of those easy-to-apply markings, your description of the project didn't mention any, and you had not yet answered the question posed (twice) about adding them, I was curious if you actually planned on including a way to measure oil level. | ||
| Chadhargis |
 Ooooh...a catfight! | ||
| Roadrailer |
It won't be too much of a catfight as I don't have much hair for pulling. Seriously, though, I'm not trying to start a fight, I just thought it was a logical question to ask, and I was curious how he was going to mark the dipstick. It seemed odd that the question was asked twice and not answered. That's all.  | ||
| Chadhargis |
I was just kidding fellers. My money is on the blonde! | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
I already answered this question about markings in the August 8, 10:20 post. August 08, 2006 - 10:20 am but here it is again. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Actually if you wanted to, you could use a drill press and leave the original stick in place and offset the probe hole so that the temp probe would end up right next to or behind the original stick. That would be the best way to do it. In other words, do not razor blade off the original dipstick like I did. Just drill your hole a bit off center so that the temp probe hole comes out right behind the dipstick. Then use a 1" spade bit to bore down far enough to get the probe long enough so that it is the same length as the original marked stick. Or maybe you can buy a temp probe that is longer than the one I used. Now you should have your stock stick with the metal temp probe right behind it. That is the modification that I would recommend. (Message edited by electraglider_1997 on August 09, 2006) | ||
| Roadrailer |
EG, I really hate to split hairs here, but the original question was this: Is the probe the same length as the stock dipstick? Did you transfer the "ADD" and "FULL" marks to it? followed by this: But does it have marks for "full" and "add"? The post you referenced does not answer these very direct and simple questions about YOUR modification, it only states what someone could potentially do if they did the mod in a different way. There's a significant (and, I thought, very obvious)difference. I'd still be interested in seeing how you transfered the marks. | ||
| Adrian_8 |
Electra-Glider 1997..I love my 99 FXDX..I will say this...I have three scoots...04 Tuono, 06 ULY and a 99 FXDX..if I could keep only one.....FXDX stays....I love riding that thing...95 in, 37 gear drive cams, heads ported, polished, flowed, valves lightened, 10.25 High Comp. pistons, thunderheader...(If I Have To Explain It...) | ||
| Xbimmer |
Geez, how hard can it be to mark fluid level marks? I'm not so crazy about his recessed-gauge version but he has a great idea here and and a whole Forum to brainstorm the ideal solution. In any case you just mic the distance between the "constant" flange dimension from flush with the swingarm down to the two marks on the original stick. Transfer this measurement to your modified stick and scribe, paint, shrinktube, crosshatch, whatever. Even if your thermo-probe is too short (OK OK...) to index the MIN mark, then we all know to keep the level closer to the MAX, right? And Superglides rock! Can't stop gawking at the 35th anniversary special at my dealer... '77 Shovel pulled up at a Chuey's last Sunday and I couldn't stop smiling! | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
I didn't do the mod to try to make a buck and I find it funny that some folks can't just see past nit picking. Anyway, this morning I took some rough sand paper and marked the area below the add line by just gripping and twirling the sand paper so that the below Add area is clearly marked. Above the Add area is shiny and below it is dull. Other things can be done but I'm not sure shrink tubing is a safe proposition. Last thing I need is for plastic to clog the oil lines. Maybe I can force a very thin metal tube over the probe the length of the ADD area. If I can accomplish that I will take another photo. Not to brag (too much anyway) but I've got two U.S. patents under my name so I do know how to solve problems (6,514,341 and 6,134,802). |
