 Question about the oil temp gauge
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I know a zillion of you guys have them here. I just got mine today, and I noted that the instruction sheet alluded to the fact that if the "prod" does not sit in the oil, temperatures can be up to 40 degrees off. That would not seem a terribly exciting bit of accuracy. Perhaps I am missing something, but there is certainly no prod that reaches the oil in that the device seems flush with the bottom of the unit. Am I in fact missing something?
Pedal Till You Puke
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Re: Question about the oil temp gauge
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I don't have one but wouldn't it be the same as trying to take your temperature without putting the thermometer in your mouth? I makes sense to me.
John
Like a dog on a car ride with my tongue in the wind
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Re: Question about the oil temp gauge
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Quote:
I don't have one but wouldn't it be the same as trying to take your temperature without putting the thermometer in your mouth? I makes sense to me.
Well, that's what it seemed to me - if you want to measure the temperature of a fluid, you typically emerse a temperature prod into said fluid, but again, I might be missing something here - and that is why I asked the question.
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Re: Question about the oil temp gauge
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Complete Newb
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Complete Newb
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I spent many years as a Pow.Eng. and in that capacity measured temps of all kinds of fluids. Under most condition the temperature probe was in the fluid--of course. But there is a temperature relationship between the gases and the air adjacent to the fluid that remains somwhat constant. Once this relationship-or ratio- is established your have your answer. Stick a thermometer into the oil just after a good run- then quickly reinstall your temp gauge. If you find the gauge is 5 degrees lower than the oil itself, than will be a resonable constant you can rely on. Of course we would all agree that an immersion temp. gauge is the ideal.
Blue
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Re: Question about the oil temp gauge
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Quote:
I spent many years as a Pow.Eng. and in that capacity measured temps of all kinds of fluids. Under most condition the temperature probe was in the fluid--of course. But there is a temperature relationship between the gases and the air adjacent to the fluid that remains somwhat constant. Once this relationship-or ratio- is established your have your answer. Stick a thermometer into the oil just after a good run- then quickly reinstall your temp gauge. If you find the gauge is 5 degrees lower than the oil itself, than will be a resonable constant you can rely on. Of course we would all agree that an immersion temp. gauge is the ideal.
Blue
All so true, but to quote from the manufacturer's instruction sheet, "The indicated temperature can deviate up to 40 degrees C (that's a whopping 104 degrees F!!!!) by measuring rods that do not reach the oil. Well, hello, there is no ****** measuring rod, and the manufacturer should ****** well know that nothing is going to reach the oil.
One need not go through the gymnastics you allude to when you buy a "precision" (read - not cheap) gauge. Perhaps people are satisfied with the looks - sort of like the fake air cleaners.
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Re: Question about the oil temp gauge
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I just got a great answer to my question from Brent which makes a lot of sense. It was difficult to believe that a gauage that was of obvious superior quality had a major design flaw. Here is his answer:
The instructions for the oil temp gauges are generic. The probe on the end of the gauge is saturated with oil after the first revolution of the engine. We've tested the accuracy of the gauge compared to an infrared thermometer and it's dead on. You'll find the same once installed.
Case closed.
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Re: Question about the oil temp gauge
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it may be off by a little, but i think it is pretty close. good thing to have imo, saved me from some problems while stuck in heavy traffic on hot days
Frank
(Former)05 BA tbike pipes, ai removed, Freak, mikuni hsr 42's, 904, ported/polished head, 1mm oversized valves
NOW-2010 silver and black tbird
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Re: Question about the oil temp gauge
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Complete Newb
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<<But there is a temperature relationship between the gases and the air adjacent to the fluid that remains somwhat constant.>>
You have your answer from Brent. I was going in that direction too. Most engines with a wet-sump system have have a liquid filled lower crankcase plus a oil mist atmostphere.So the temperature relationship between the mist/gases and the liquid are very close in a small motorcycle sump.
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Re: Question about the oil temp gauge
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Of course the big downside to having one of these gauges (knowing my anal personality) is that I will be constantly scanning it and worrying about it as it reaches the higher numbers as I sit in Florida, afternoon, August temperature. Sometimes ignorance is bliss.
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Re: Question about the oil temp gauge
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Saddle Sore
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Saddle Sore
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Like Nike say-Just do it,go see Brent,get one,twist it around so's it no backwerds,sooo much fun goin'down the wrong side of the road,knocking over mailboxes looking at the temp.Brent has endured so much grief over oil temp gauges lately,we should all buy one!  ...and it makes the bike look so cool,gauges are in fashion
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Re: Question about the oil temp gauge
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I agree, I have one. 
Pedal Till You Puke
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Re: Question about the oil temp gauge
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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Right there in the oil filler hole is a gear that gets in the way of a funnel when I change oil. I'm sure it slings plenty of oil on the prod.
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Re: Question about the oil temp gauge
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I have one from Brent. I like it fine. Never worried much about an "off" reading. I always went by average reading in typical riding. When ever I'm stuck in traffic and it goes way beyond the "normal", I know it's hot. Besides, it's much easier to unscrew than the stock cap.
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Re: Question about the oil temp gauge
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Directly below the opening is a gear cog which will throw oil at the bottom of the guage so measurment will be accurate. Sitting with eh engine not running you could get lower readings but probably marginally.
Last edited by WindRat; 06/03/2007 12:57 PM.
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Re: Question about the oil temp gauge
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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Pedal masher , from what a couple guys at the CT tech day told me don't worry about high temp too much. They were talking temps into the 240 range with no problem. Like I told them I would have been having a heart attack if I had ever looked down and seen that! I have seen about 240 once in bad traffic and that even scared me but I guess it wasn't to be concerned about.
That being said , I wouldn't want those temps if the situation was to be sustained for any period of time but for a short time I guess it's NP.
Last edited by The_Dog33; 06/03/2007 1:38 PM.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
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Re: Question about the oil temp gauge
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Yeah, Dog, I'm anxious to see what I run here in FL. The boys in AZ in the summer must run some serious numbers!
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Re: Question about the oil temp gauge
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Quote:
I just got a great answer to my question from Brent
Thanks for your input Sandy. Now I can hit "Submit Order" with confidence
Erwin
05 America
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Re: Question about the oil temp gauge
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You'll love it Erwin. Just ran with it today for the first time in the hot afternoon with lots of stop and go. I never got over 175 deg.
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Re: Question about the oil temp gauge
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Supposing your parked at the shops or where ever and you come back to find some a$$hole has knocked off your oil temp gauge. Unless you carry the OEM in your toolbag, what is the best solution to this problem ? Yeah ok I live in an area that has the occasional crook.
2008 Black Speedmaster
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Re: Question about the oil temp gauge
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Monkey Butt
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Regardless of movement, the ambient air lets say at 100 still tends to cool the bike. I sit in major traffic in San Antonio, I know its getting hot when the tappets get a bit louder. Its not a problem. Unless you lock it in a shed where you increase the ambient to 150 or so, you will not overheat the bike as long as the oil is moving. Also the synthetics handle heat much better. Air cooled has been around a long time. Ever see an old VW in traffic, its still running  . For that matter, ever see an old Triumph in traffic? Its a lot of worry over a little bit of exposure in my humble opinion.
I try to aggravate one person a day. Today may be your day.
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Re: Question about the oil temp gauge
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You'll love it Erwin. Just ran with it today for the first time in the hot afternoon with lots of stop and go. I never got over 175 deg.
Now I just need to save up my lunch money and Ill be set. 
Erwin
05 America
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Re: Question about the oil temp gauge
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Quote:
Supposing your parked at the shops or where ever and you come back to find some a$$hole has knocked off your oil temp gauge. Unless you carry the OEM in your toolbag, what is the best solution to this problem ? Yeah ok I live in an area that has the occasional crook.
I have thought of the same thing myself, and I am tempted to carry the stock one in my tool bag.
Pedal Till You Puke
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Re: Question about the oil temp gauge
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Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
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I think I might do that too now...
Benny
Black & Silver '02
Too many mods to list
Not enough miles ridden
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Re: Question about the oil temp gauge
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They were talking temps into the 240 range with no problem. Like I told them I would have been having a heart attack if I had ever looked down and seen that!
You definitely don't want my Thruxton then, Ian. It can run 50...yes...50 degrees warmer than my BA. On an 85 degree day on highway, it'll run 225 all day long. I'll either come close or hit 250 every day riding home from work. Depending on how far away I am from my apt, I'll either shut it down in the shade and have a smoke, or just keep going till I get to my block.
Mark
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Re: Question about the oil temp gauge
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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That just floors me. I used to get worried when my 66 would break 180 deg F. In fact it hit 200 once with Wendy and I on it and that was what prompted me to buy the Speedmaster. We were about to leave for Laconia and I didn't want to cook the TR6C.I have seen almost 240 on the Speedmaster and it worried me. From all the testimonials I guess I had and have nothing to worry about.I rarely hit 200 with it.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Question about the oil temp gauge
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Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
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I generally run at or above 200. 250 worries me too...
Benny
Black & Silver '02
Too many mods to list
Not enough miles ridden
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