 Is it supposed to get this hot?
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 335
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OP
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 335 |
OK, I know it's summer time and bike engines get hot but I'm wondering if my bike is supposed to be getting this hot. After, say, 15 minutes riding, my clutch cover is so hot that I can feel some really acute heat right through my heavy, kevlar-lined Draggin' jeans. The oil level is right where it should be, and it doesn't seem to affect the running of the bike at all, but until the hot weather kicked in, I hadn't noticed it being THAT hot.
So... Is it actually any hotter than normal, or am I just noticing it now?
-Joe Merlino
Boston, MA USA
1982 BMW R100 (decomissioned), 2003 America
Triumph: Cool enough for The Fonz, cool enough for me.
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Re: Is it supposed to get this hot?
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,063 Likes: 8
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,063 Likes: 8 |
Hate to ask this question but, what viscosity and type of oil are you using?
When you say "15 minutes riding", what type, street to street or highway?
12 Rocket Roadster
03 Bonneville America
69 BSA Firebird Scrambler
73 Yamaha TX 750
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Re: Is it supposed to get this hot?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 146
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 146 |
Brent sells a very nice temp. guage that replaces the oil filler cap. My bike runs at about 200 degrees in the summer. I've never seen it go over 225. For me it was worth getting just for the piece of mind.
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Re: Is it supposed to get this hot?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13 |
Even with chaps on, I can't allow my leg to rest against an engine case.
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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Re: Is it supposed to get this hot?
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 247
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Adjunct
Joined: Nov 2008
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Lacking a temp gauge, how would one know when the engine is just too hot and needs a rest? (i.e. stuck in traffic)
University of Da Nang
Class of '68
In the End, the Captain stands alone...
" Fat, drunk, and stupid is no way to go through life, son." Dean Wormer
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Re: Is it supposed to get this hot?
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 335
Adjunct
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OP
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 335 |
Quote:
Even with chaps on, I can't allow my leg to rest against an engine case.
Ah, okay. This makes me feel better. When I got to work this morning (7 miles on city streets, ~20 minutes), I felt the clutch cover with my gloves on (thin, summer weight leather). I started feeling warm after about five seconds, and after about ten, I had to take my hand away. So I guess that's not too bad, eh?
-Joe Merlino
Boston, MA USA
1982 BMW R100 (decomissioned), 2003 America
Triumph: Cool enough for The Fonz, cool enough for me.
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Re: Is it supposed to get this hot?
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,104
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,104 |
...Of course Joe is neglecting to tell anyone: he is built like an offensive lineman, and the 790cc is doing what it can! 
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Re: Is it supposed to get this hot?
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 948
3/4 Throttle
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3/4 Throttle
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 948 |
You should be in Central Texas. Over 100 degree days for 40 days? now I think. And no rain.
Redbike7
2006 America
No amount of skill can overcome gross stupidity. Ask me how I know...never mind, I forgot...
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Re: Is it supposed to get this hot?
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937 |
Quote:
Over 100 degree days for 40 days? now I think. And no rain.
Sounds bad enough! I can't imagine adding being in Texas to that!
And you may see me tonight
With an illegal smile
J. Prine
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Re: Is it supposed to get this hot?
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 335
Adjunct
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OP
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 335 |
Quote:
...Of course Joe is neglecting to tell anyone: he is built like an offensive lineman, and the 790cc is doing what it can!
Hey, man, the 790 pulls me around just fine.
-Joe Merlino
Boston, MA USA
1982 BMW R100 (decomissioned), 2003 America
Triumph: Cool enough for The Fonz, cool enough for me.
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Re: Is it supposed to get this hot?
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,150
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,150 |
Hey Joe, the engine temp gauge that Tom talks about is still a cheap means of seeing how hot your engine oil is at any particular time. I've got one and I have found it reassuring to look at when stuck in traffic for instance or even to know when my bike is at running temp for tuning purposes. Anyway, fyi my gauge generally runs at around 180 degrees most of the time but can go up to 190 or even just a bit higher when stuck in traffic for too long. I guess It's just a nice little tool to have. 
Staintune Pipes, K&N Pods, 45 pilots, TBS needles and 145 mains.
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Re: Is it supposed to get this hot?
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,099
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Feb 2006
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My gauge reads 180f when it's cool out.
When it's hot and stuck in traffic, I've seen 225+.
Then you change the oil.
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Re: Is it supposed to get this hot?
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,730 Likes: 5
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,730 Likes: 5 |
I'm normally around 200 on mine, but its been up to 240 a time or two
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: Is it supposed to get this hot?
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,227 Likes: 62
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,227 Likes: 62 |
I was pushing 250º once when stuck in construction traffic. I was about to shut it down when it opened up and we started moving again. My bike normally runs between 180º and 200º.
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: Is it supposed to get this hot?
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,971
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: May 2006
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Mine runs down to around 150 F in the cold weather, and around 200 F at highway speeds at ambient 90 F. I do believe that moving the tool bag off the front forks dropped the oil temp 5 or 10 degrees. Maybe it's just my imagination. It could be that my windshield lowers are a factor in this equation too.
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