Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[CTcvorider]

I had the dealer replace the air temp gauge with an oil temp gauge at purchase of my SEUC.  They installed as per HD protocol (in the oil cooler return line).  The readings rarely exceed 180 and it takes a half hour of riding to even get that far.  I just took it in yesterday for the 1K service and asked them to relocate the sending unit to the pan (after reading some of the threads here).  They said it couldn't be done, the current location is the best place to monitor oil temp, etc. etc. - the standard HD factory line.

I'm wondering what materials I'll need if I attempt it myself.  I'm assuming a plug of some sort for where it's mounted now and some modification to the aux plug on the oil pan, but I'm not sure about sizes and materials.  I've seen brass mentioned in a couple of other posts.  Why Brass?  Is there some metallic interaction or is that just a cheap, commonly available solution?

What are the standard sizes, thread designations I should be looking for?

Thanks in advance for any advice...

[Boatman]

I do not remember the size reducer needed but you can use brass or steel.  Mine is in the oil pan (05).

At highway speeds, my oil temp runs 180 and goes up to 230 in stop and go hot traffic.

If it were my bike, I would leave it where the dealer installed it.    It is not going to be entirely accurate no matter where you put it (IMO)..  Just monitor where it normally is under riding situations, and if it changes, you know someting is wrong.

[BIGDOG]

I am almost certain that you need a 1/4 to 1/8 reducer. Do a search we have covered this before about 2 months ago.

[sadunbar]

You need a 3/8 to 1/8 straight reducer fitting...   

[sadunbar]

You need a 3/8 to 1/8 straight reducer fitting...   

here is a link where TwoLane explains it well...  http://www.cvoharley.com/smf/index.php?topic=6385.0

[CTcvorider]

Boatman, mine too generally registers about 180 and has once gotten to about 220 while idling for a few minutes.  But I've read in several sources that the normal oil temps for the 110 motors is 230 in 70 degree weather and I've seen posts indicating near the 230 range from the dipstick gauges, so I'm assuming that I'm seeing the lower temps coming from the oil cooler.  Since 180 is on the low end of the gauge display, the gauge is pretty much useless during normal operation. 

[Boatman]

My MOCO dipstick gauge always read higher until it died compared to my temp gauge.  After the newness of the new gauge wears off, you may not pay as much attention to it.  I just use mine so that if it gos up higher than normal, something is wrong.

[JCZ]

I am almost certain that you need a 1/4 to 1/8 reducer. Do a search we have covered this before about 2 months ago.

And about two years ago.

[9 1/2 Beers]

I also have the digital dipstick, and the indash gauge. i can't read the dipstick on the fly and the gauge is not connected to the oil pan.  i read gauge 100 degrees off, meaning if the gauge reads 180 it means 280 , this has given me a better understand of when the bike heats up and when it's running cool. i feel better about my 110 now , and of course i will fix my gauge   

[sadunbar]

My MOCO dipstick gauge always read higher until it died compared to my temp gauge.  After the newness of the new gauge wears off, you may not pay as much attention to it.  I just use mine so that if it gos up higher than normal, something is wrong.

I started with the piece of crap MOCO dipstick gauge...it worked one day then stopped working.  I then installed the in dash gage, plumbed to the oil pan with a straight connector.  On a normal 80 degree day, I settle in at about 220 degrees oil temperature.  Running hard, I might see 230 occasionally...

[EGUC7]

CTcvofrider,

Thats a hoot.  When I had my oil temp sending unit mounted on the pan, my Dealer said thats the best idea they ever saw, and would be recommending it to anybody that did the exchange!

Ride Safe.
Walt

[UglyJohn]

CTcvofrider,

Thats a hoot.  When I had my oil temp sending unit mounted on the pan, my Dealer said thats the best idea they ever saw, and would be recommending it to anybody that did the exchange!

Ride Safe.
Walt

Dealer here in said the same thing and it's my understanding they ordered the reducer and is the only place they put the sending unit now. Took a ride this evening for about an hour and the air temp is about 80 degrees. The temp stayed at about 210 all the way. Been cooler since I put the SERT in w/custom map and 4" SE muffs.
UGLYJOHN

[hard10]

They wouldn't do mine in the oil pan before I took delivery also. @5k miles later and it's still hooked up according to spec. Now I just know where it should be and don;t bother worrying unless it gets above the 160 mark.

[vagabond6542]

I know this is off topic a little, but I would worry more on how much oil is in the reservoir while average running is exercised. It seems the hotter the engine gets the thicker the oil becomes and returns at a lesser rate than the oil pump will draw from the reservoir.
I just ran into this little quirk recently, became greatly aware of it at CHL2. Especially, on the return trip to home.
So if you can, look for an oil level sensor and mount it. Or something that will tell you of "low oil".

[Gone Fishin']

I previously went through the same chain of events. The sender installed by the dealer according to Mo-Co. No reading whatsoever before a half day of riding. The dealer in denial. The service manager updated with the help of the nice people in this group, who did it all before. The location of the thing finally changed. The dealer ecstatic about the result.

Using the oil temp gauge, I am more interested in the warming up phase. With our bikes being air cooled, the oil warms up rather slowly and it make very good sense to wait until the temp is right to go full throttle. That may take 20 to 30 miles, depending on the ambient temperature. The high temps are also important to know, but with the oil cooler in place, are practically always not exceeding the limit, if the oil level is correct.

This, in my mind, is the reason why the Mo-Co position of the sender in the flow behind the oil cooler is 100% wrong.

Ride safely,
Louis