Oil temp gauge and Temperature Testing

[herbie]

I bought the same oil temp gauge as Jerryhawk and installed it a couple of weeks ago. It's a pretty easy install but the tiny wires are kind of a challenge to work with. It seems to work real well and doesn't do any erratic movements. I have mine set to volts, oil temp and ambient air temp. I plan on doing a few different tests with oils to see if different oils will decrease or increase temps. It will take some time and I will update this as I do the tests.

The oils I plan on using
1) Rotella T4 15w40
2) Rotella T4 15w40 with 3oz Lucas oil stabilizer
3) Honda GN4 20w50
4) Rotella T6 5w40 Full synthetic
5 Mobil1 Racing 4T 10w40 Full synthetic

In my first test I rode the bike almost 500 miles on 15w40 Rotella T4 dino oil.
the ambient air temp ranged from 78-86 degrees. I will do my temp tests in the 55-60mph range and also the 65-70mph range.. The in town and idle temps were running too inconsistent as I idled more at times than others, so I won't include those temps.

First test; ambient temps 78-86 degrees
55-60mph 65-70mph
176-181 degrees 187-194 degrees

I drained the oil today and refilled with 15w40 Rotella T4 dino oil and 3oz of Lucas oil supplement. I will report back after 500 miles.

Second test ; ambient temps 78-89 degrees
55-60mph 65-70mph
168-183 degrees 172-185
I cut this test short because I feel the shifting was getting a little more difficult towards the end of the run. I had close to 300 miles on this oil.

I drained and filled with Honda GN4 20w50 oil and will go another 500 miles on this oil.
75-86 degrees ambient
55-60mph 65-70mph
163-181 degrees Didn't run enough interstate tests
Because of the oils good performance I am keeping this oil in for another 500 miles.

[herbie]

Oil Temp Gauge

[herbie]

Oil fitting

[herbie]

Made a cheap and easy skid plate to protect the fitting. I cut a piece of plastic from a front guard off of a Honda civic that I had laying around and zip tied it to the frame.

[NzBrakelathes]

Oil supplement? watch out that it doesn't screw with your clutch etc.

[Megadan]

Originally Posted by NzBrakelathes

Oil supplement? watch out that it doesn't screw with your clutch etc.

standard lucas is safe for wet clutches in small amounts, but they do make a motorcycle specific stabilizer as well. I personally avoid Lucas on most engines/bikes because it is just a high viscosity agent based on a heavy oil. For an old air cooled design like these bikes though, it will be fine.

[herbie]

This pic is after I came back from a 175 mile ride. Last oil change was Honda GN4 20w50 and right now it has 500 miles on the oil. I will say this Honda 20w50 has been fantastic, it seems to have a better quality of shift and the oil stays cleaner longer. With the Rotella T4 15w40 I was changing the oil every 500 miles because by then it was getting pretty dark. As you can see with the Honda 20w50 oil at 500 miles it still looks clean, I will take it to 1000 miles or maybe more as see how it looks.

[JerryHawk250]

Just curious. What kind of oil temps were you running? I put just over 200 miles yesterday and just rolled over 7000 miles on it. Temps were in the mid 80's and oil temps were between 165 and 170.

[herbie]

Originally Posted by JerryHawk250

Just curious. What kind of oil temps were you running? I put just over 200 miles yesterday and just rolled over 7000 miles on it. Temps were in the mid 80's and oil temps were between 165 and 170.

7000 miles that's great and encouraging! I always wondered if the higher compression from the decking of the head would effect the longevity of the engine. I have a spare head in the basement that I started porting the exhaust on and will eventually take to the machine shop to have it decked. They quoted me $60 to do the job. I'm still unsure whether I will install it or not but at least I will have it ready if I so decide.

My temps today were pretty similar to yours but is was only mid 70's today here, 163-168 degrees.

[SensuBeanCartel]

Really cool, any links to the supplies? or maybe Jerry's post? the search function isnt so kind.

[herbie]

Here you go;

http://www.chinariders.net/showthrea...perature+gauge

[herbie]

763 miles on Honda GN 20w50 oil
Rode 143 miles today 55-67 ambient 153-158 degrees