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Dave_02_1200
| Posted on Friday, February 15, 2008 - 12:18 pm: |
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I have been thinking of monitoring my oil temp to avoid overheating here in southwest Florida in the warm season. There are several gauges available and one by Autometer (Phantom #5747)looks like a perfect match for the speedo and tach on my S3. It reads from 100 to 250. Before I buy it, I wanted to find out what temperature range it will need for my S3. Is 250 high enough? Or do Buells run their oil hotter than that? Also, what kind of oil cooler set up would be best? Any experience/advice will be appreciated. Thanks, Dave |
Djkaplan
| Posted on Friday, February 15, 2008 - 02:53 pm: |
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This may help... http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/384 2/329380.html?1201326753 |
Kyrocket
| Posted on Friday, February 15, 2008 - 03:43 pm: |
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I just use the basic oil dipstick made for the Sporty's oil tank. It's usually right on the money, although you have to take the seat off to read it but that's the only time I check it anyway. If you need to monitor it frequently then this isn't your route. I am running a billet oil cooler just before the filter and mine stays right around the 200 mark give or take a few degrees and that's even when it hit 100 a few days this past summer. |
Djkaplan
| Posted on Friday, February 15, 2008 - 04:01 pm: |
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One of those screw on billet things with fins? Did you confirm that the cooler was of benefit by checking the temps before and after installation? I'd be curious how much it actually cooled. |
Dave_02_1200
| Posted on Friday, February 15, 2008 - 04:33 pm: |
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Daniel, Thanks for the thread. Sounds like the 250 degree gauge will do just fine. If it pegs at 250 degrees next summer, I'll install a cooler. Thanks everyone, Dave |
Kyrocket
| Posted on Friday, February 15, 2008 - 06:43 pm: |
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Yes DJ it's the cylindrical, finned billet oil cooler and no I don't have any before and after numbers unfortunately. I got it not long after I got the bike and had a little extra cash. That was before three kids and having to act like a responsible adult. I forget what they hyped it to be, claimed to be ?% lower oil temps and I swallowed it hook, line and sinker. But however it has never been over 205 that I'm aware of and a few days this past summer it felt like riding in a blast furnace just because it was so hot, especially on the poker run. It still looks as good as the day I bought it so overall I'm happy with it, even if it is just in my head. |
Bob_thompson
| Posted on Saturday, February 16, 2008 - 11:55 am: |
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Dave, although we do not have the kind of temperatures you do, here in Utah, during the summer I was also concerned about oil and engine temps. on my '02 M2 when I installed my full fairing so I went with a nice 8 inch fan blowing in-between the cylinders and a head temp. guage on the rear head that goes to 400 degrees. I use Mobil 1 synthetic oil so I was more concerned with how hot the engine was getting. In 85-95 degree temps. the engine usually runs about 260 degrees when going down the interstate. In the twisties with agressive riding it will go to about 320-340 and when I stop it will start to go higher so I start the fan which brings it down at about 10 degrees a minute. In stop and go traffic it will run about 320 also so I just let the fan run until I speed up past 40 mph. In some threads from the KV I learned that the inside "V" of the cylinders get the hottest hence the reason for the fan blowing across there. Whatever you do I really agree that monitoring the oil or engine temps. is a must. Really wish I was there, by you now, to test my new 1125R. Stay safe my friend, Bob |
Djkaplan
| Posted on Saturday, February 16, 2008 - 03:23 pm: |
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320 degrees? I better get one of those oil temperature gauges myself... it can get to 100+ here in Georgia too. |
Dave_02_1200
| Posted on Saturday, February 16, 2008 - 08:18 pm: |
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The Auto Meter brochure says that the sending unit comes with a 1/8th inch sender and it also has 3/8 and 1/2 NPT adapter fittings. Where is the best place to locate the sender? |
Bob_thompson
| Posted on Sunday, February 17, 2008 - 12:35 pm: |
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Daniel(Djkaplan), remember I said that 320 degrees was head temperature. The oil temp was probably much lower than that. Also I have my engine running just about perfect with my carburation spot on; which means never too lean anywhere in the rev. range. If anything I run really cool most of the time just crusing. Also if you look in the KV for engine metal temps. 320 is not hot at all for cylinders and heads. At any rate we must stay cool, within reason. Bob |
Warlizard
| Posted on Monday, February 18, 2008 - 01:26 am: |
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I have the same setup as Rocket, just the Sporty dipstick w/ temp gauge. I find that oil temp is normally around 200 degrees. Once bnike is warmed up outside temp seems to have little affect, but traffic and idling can bring it to over 250. Get a gauge that goes to 300 degrees. If you feel u r running too hot, there are better alternatives than gimmicks like fans and oil coolers. Cooler plugs, increasing oil capacity either thru the filter or resevoir, keep the bikes weight down. ( luggage,passenger, unnecessary equip) Most important is to run a quality syn and keep it clean. This along with a well tuned/maintained bike s/b all u need. |
Bad_karma
| Posted on Monday, February 18, 2008 - 02:00 am: |
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Dave That range will work. Joe |
Djkaplan
| Posted on Tuesday, February 19, 2008 - 02:11 pm: |
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A (properly designed) oil cooler with a thermostatic control is not a gimmick. If you need one, get one. Sparkplug heat range won't affect oil temperature, it only affects the temperature the electrode and insulator will get to. Too cold a heat range, and the plug may foul because it can't keep itself 'clean'. If you increased oil capacity to point where it drops oil temperatures on a hot day, you might not get the oil hot enough when the sun goes down. Too cold is bad too. |
Oldog
| Posted on Tuesday, February 19, 2008 - 11:34 pm: |
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The Auto Meter brochure says that the sending unit comes with a 1/8th inch sender and it also has 3/8 and 1/2 NPT adapter fittings. Where is the best place to locate the sender? I placed mine in the return line as close to the pump as I could get it To my simple mind the hottest oil temps outside of the motor will be there. } |
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