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[davy]

Has anyone tried the Oil Bud Cooling System, or know how it compares to regular oil coolers

[REGGAB]

Has anyone tried the Oil Bud Cooling System, or know how it compares to regular oil coolers

Is this the system you're talking about?
http://www.budsbikerparts.net/theoilbud.html

I'm running a JAGG six row oil cooler on the left frame downtube right now, and so far, it is working great...........better than the stock system.

[Twolanerider]

Has anyone tried the Oil Bud Cooling System, or know how it compares to regular oil coolers

There's a lot to like there.  But some questions as well.  Looked at his unit for the touring model and got this picture from his touring model installation PDF.

Impressed by the large cooling surface are.  Most contact space of any cooler I've seen.  The installation is also almost completely hidden from normal view and his oil filter adaptor is thermostatically controlled. 

But...  I'm not sure I'm sanguine with the radiator being directly above the road surface.  It's easy to have visions of a puncture.  The mounting is simple and very straightforward but that mounting puts the rear part of the cooler right in front of the oil drain plug.  So every oil change is going to make a bit of a mess.  Not a big deal perhaps.  But something to deal with nonetheless.

The rear tank of the cooler would also obstruct the installation many of us have used for an oil temp sending unit in the oil pan.  He mitigates that problem by plumbing a hole in his filter adapter specifically for that sending unit.  So you could move the sending unit and re-chase the harness and be good to go.  Someone who has not yet installed an oil temp gauge would have an ideal spot to mount their sending unit.

The extra splatter that's likely going to happen at oil change I could learn to live with.  Would need a bit to get my head around whether or not the under bike exposed mounting of the radiators is really a hazard or not though.

[sportygordy]

It looks like the cooling area may be about 50% greater over the HD Deluxe (CVO Stock) oil coolers. I'm curious if air flow under the bike is effective though, and also as TwoLane stated, road hazard depress hitting the underside of the cooler could be an issue and maybe not  We need some testers, who is gonna try this baby out 

[RedDevil]

It looks like the cooling area may be about 50% greater over the HD Deluxe (CVO Stock) oil coolers. I'm curious if air flow under the bike is effective though, and also as TwoLane stated, road hazard depress hitting the underside of the cooler could be an issue and maybe not  We need some testers, who is gonna try this baby out 

I would be leary about mounting an oil cooler underneath the bike like that.     Also, wouldn't the cooler get damage when you put a jack underneath?  I would think one of the arms of the jack would come right up on the cooler.  Looking at the picture I can't tell if the cooler is flush, extended past, or recessed beneath the two frame tubes.  Also, wouldn't you be transferring heat from the oil pan to the cooler if it rests right up against the cooler?  What kind of air flow do you get through the cooler sitting that tight against the oil pan? 

   

[Twolanerider]

I would be leary about mounting an oil cooler underneath the bike like that.     Also, wouldn't the cooler get damage when you put a jack underneath?  I would think one of the arms of the jack would come right up on the cooler.  Looking at the picture I can't tell if the cooler is flush, extended past, or recessed beneath the two frame tubes.  Also, wouldn't you be transferring heat from the oil pan to the cooler if it rests right up against the cooler?  What kind of air flow do you get through the cooler sitting that tight against the oil pan? 

   

Howie has already given me chit about being too diplomatic in the public description of my reaction to those tanks.  Figured someone might actually have one and didn't want to piss them off.  But, yeah, I wouldn't mount that thing on 103's bike right before I sold it.  Blocks one service hole.  Intrudes on the oil drain hole to cause a mess every damn time you change the oil.  And sticks down there in way of a service jack or any good sized stick or other debris you might inadvertently get close to.  To me the thing looks like a really good idea with a really poor execution.

Having said that, I like the guys oil filter adaptor a lot.  Thermostatically controlled unit, o-ring sealed, plumbed for a sending unit that would be easily accessible.  Not very large either.  I sent the guy an email asking if he sold the adaptor separately.  Will eventually need something for a cooler on the SERG and it seems better than the other alternatives I've seen unless the price is nuts.  If it is will just order another of the units that's on the 05 SEEG. 

[grc]

It looks like the cooling area may be about 50% greater over the HD Deluxe (CVO Stock) oil coolers. I'm curious if air flow under the bike is effective though, and also as TwoLane stated, road hazard depress hitting the underside of the cooler could be an issue and maybe not  We need some testers, who is gonna try this baby out 

I'm thinking he just went with 3 times the surface area to make up for the lack of decent air flow through the cores.  The idea might be workable if it only included the front section and some ducting to direct air through the unit.  I don't like the rear section being in the way for servicing, and I would worry a little about those speed bumps or ruts like the ones that scarred the bottom of my engine before I learned to avoid them at all costs.

As for the jack issue, simple frame protectors similar to those used on Dyna's would create the clearance needed, so that alone shouldn't be a deal breaker.  Personally, going through all that just so you don't have to see the cooler isn't worth the hassle.  Unlike Willy G., I like functional stuff that isn't necessarily stylish.

Jerry

[sadunbar]

Howie has already given me chit about being too diplomatic in the public description of my reaction to those tanks.  Figured someone might actually have one and didn't want to piss them off.  But, yeah, I wouldn't mount that thing on 103's bike right before I sold it.  Blocks one service hole.  Intrudes on the oil drain hole to cause a mess every damn time you change the oil.  And sticks down there in way of a service jack or any good sized stick or other debris you might inadvertently get close to.  To me the thing looks like a really good idea with a really poor execution.

Having said that, I like the guys oil filter adaptor a lot.  Thermostatically controlled unit, o-ring sealed, plumbed for a sending unit that would be easily accessible.  Not very large either.  I sent the guy an email asking if he sold the adaptor separately.  Will eventually need something for a cooler on the SERG and it seems better than the other alternatives I've seen unless the price is nuts.  If it is will just order another of the units that's on the 05 SEEG. 

Howie who???

[Twolanerider]

Howie who???

You know.   The masked man with the big Z on his shirt.  Howie.

[Twolanerider]

Got an email response from this cooler's manufacturer about selling their thermostatically controlled oil cooler separately.  They will.  $350.00.  Ouch.

[kg4p]

I installed an Oil Bud on my lowered '09 FXDC, 103 Stage III (I ride a lot of gravel roads and have put three oil pans on my V-Rod in seven years). The Oil Bud's construction and design are hands down the best I found after a lot of research. I fear no leaks or punctures with this unit. It is rock solid and its effectiveness is second to none. The unit was tested on a bike idling in the shop; oil temps reached 250°, oil returning to the motor was 156° with no air circulation... it works flawlessly. Some complain about having to remove one bolt to swing the rear cooler out of the way to access the drain plug... whiners. This is the best you can get for your money... the unit's weight is negligible. It does not interfere with jacking the bike up. Critics question this product without the facts in hand... I'm sold on its quality, function, & aesthetics. Oil Bud has it all.

[Big Sky Fan]

The unit was tested on a bike idling in the shop; oil temps reached 250°, oil returning to the motor was 156° with no air circulation... it works flawlessly.

If you believe that I have some ocean front property in Arizona for sale real cheap. Give me a break. Thats the most ridiculous comment I think i have ever read.
If this statement was true you should be able to do the same thing to a car. Disconnect your fan and see how fast you will overheat just sitting there idling.
I just don't see how it gets any air flow tucked under like that. Just like a car radiator, a oil cooler needs air flow. As long as you are moving you don't need one, its when you get stopped in traffic for any amount of time is when you need the oil cooler. And without a fan the cooler doesn't get any air flow. I think this is still the best thing out there for that problem.  http://bigskyfan.tripod.com/index.html

[kg4p]

hey Koobs, I didn't get on here to spout BS, I offer to help others from my experience. People that know me rest assured I don't lie. Take it or leave it. Earthquake speculators might be interested in your ocean front property. Hang onto it, you never know...

[Big Sky Fan]

hey Koobs, I didn't get on here to spout BS, I offer to help others from my experience. People that know me rest assured I don't lie. Take it or leave it. Earthquake speculators might be interested in your ocean front property. Hang onto it, you never know...

Ok. So please help me understand how without any air flow blowing across the cooler the temp will go from 250F to 156F. Is the cooler covered with ice packs? Maybe liquid nitrogen? What am I missing?  Please help me out here.

[kg4p]

At idle the oil flow is slower, more time to dissipate heat through a conductor... aluminum being the second best heat conductor available... the design of the oil bud has checkered ridges machined in the shell (both top and bottom) of a substantial housing... similar to a greatly exaggerated knurl... thus increasing the surface area exponentially to dissipate heat... plus the fact that the unit is two separate coolers, one under the motor, a secondary unit under the tranny... The oil bud was adapted from an aircraft design, thus the engineering and thought behind the product was used and proven in extremes of cold and heat no Harley will ever see. I'm not a NASA engineer but just so you know I ain't a Kracker I have two years of civil engineering under my belt, 75,000 miles on an '02 V-Rod, 8,000 miles on my Dyna in three months, and a 1948 Pan/Shovel for backup... I will put some serious miles on the Dyna this summer and keep posting periodically... I fear no evil from the Oil Bud. I personally feel it is the best protection available... yes its pricey but a mere drop in the bucket compared to my bike's value and desired longevity/integrity. Electronics can fail and I read of several fan failures from Lenale... not dissing their products, I seriously considered one but looked further with an open mind.