Topic: Oil temp gauge?

[PeWe]

Anyone that has seen a smaller sized oil temp gauge to be used on a bike?
Most gauges I have found are 52mm and probably not weather proof either.

I have a CB750 K1-K5 oil tank with a VDO oil temp sensor fitted.
Only a small motorcycle friendly gauge to be found and mounted beside or between my K6 stock meters.

[Deltarider]

The solution would be a led similar to the one you have to monitor the battery and generator. My suggestion would be:
blue     -    cold
green   -    working temperature
yellow  -    approaching limits*
red      -    too hot.
Piece of cake if you ask me, considering how many technical engineers we have here.
* or flashing red

[dave500]

gauges for marine applications would be better for use on bikes than normal car ones?

[strynboen]

or old tractors instruments..but they are 52 mm..just too big..Volvo penta and bm..had nice vaterteight instruments in the 1960..later they vent to plasytic stuff..made in Peugeot land...did not vork vell aut..back in the good bosch days all vorks..

[jlh3rd]

These are 1 1/2 inches ...still too big?

[jlh3rd]

Or this...

[PeWe]

Thanks for the input guys.
I’ll check the small gauges as well as Delta’s LED idea with the seller that selll battery charge/ voltage level LEDs.

[oatmeal400f]

how about this kind?
is not LED though.

[dave500]

you might find something small but with a capillary connection only?

[Deltarider]

how about this kind?
is not LED though.

That thing is an outright hazard for the rider as he will - in spite of his intention - be tempted and eventually look at it whilst riding. The movement of looking down is enough to steer your bike in the lane with oncoming traffic. You don't want to know the foolish things I did when I was young resulting in narrow escapes. Ergonomics is not right and the product should be banned IMO. However it can satisfy gadget lovers that - the money burning in their pockets - can't wait to spend money on their bike anyway, no matter what, be it if cost is not too much  . Makers are familiar with this behaviour and know some people have a craving to spend money on the pet they love. Ever wondered why not one bike is stock equipped with such a silly thing? It is in the same category as inline fuel filters (also not too much money mind you  ), that do more harm than good. 

[PeWe]

how about this kind?
is not LED though.

I have one like that I ordered from Yamiya 750. Work fine and possible to see when engine runs hot.
I bought a registered K2 frame and some parts, all with fresh powder coat. Oil tank was one and it has a nut welded for a sensor. It took a while to find correct type (thread).

It will be comfortable to see oil temp while riding. Only a gauge and wire needed to make it possible. The tank has now the sensor so it will be possible to use, with or without sensor. Before a hole only.

[spotty]

how about this kind?
is not LED though.

That thing is outright dangerous and the product should be banned IMO. However it can satisfy gadget lovers that want to spend money on their bike anyway, no matter what. The money burning in their pockets. Makers know some people have a craving to spend money, if it's not too much. Ever wondered why not a bike is stock equipped with such a silly thing? That product is in the same category as inline fuel filters (also a little money), that do more harm than good.

so whats so bad about it (apart from being a fine way to spend money) it seems like a good non electrical way of doing the job

[oatmeal400f]

this type of gauge have been used by the Japanese vintage custom bike communities for a long time now.
the one attached in the image is actually a Japanese brand and will cost you 100 dollars a pcs.
the one i sent out earlier is a Chinese remade replica from ebay.

but yeah, why is this type dangerous?

[TwoTired]

If that's the one that inserts into the oil tank, how can you look at the road and traffic threats while you are looking down at your oil tank cap?

Dash board instrumentation is not far from your normal vision scan for a reason.

Cheers,

[spotty]

If that's the one that inserts into the oil tank, how can you look at the road and traffic threats while you are looking down at your oil tank cap?

Dash board instrumentation is not far from your normal vision scan for a reason.

Cheers,

yep, I get that but as a non electrical guide its in all other ways a good thing. I thought Deltarider was intimating there was a mechanical safety thing wrong with it. and when you think about it, that ones for a CB750F or K7/8 and it would sit behind the side cover anyway

[TwoTired]

If that's the one that inserts into the oil tank, how can you look at the road and traffic threats while you are looking down at your oil tank cap?

Dash board instrumentation is not far from your normal vision scan for a reason.

Cheers,

yep, I get that but as a non electrical guide its in all other ways a good thing. I thought Deltarider was intimating there was a mechanical safety thing wrong with it. and when you think about it, that ones for a CB750F or K7/8 and it would sit behind the side cover anyway

I won't pretend to have any clue what DR was intimating.

Just as discusion, though, what does knowing what temp the oil tank is at, help?  Is it known how that relates to engine health?  Or, is it just oil health that's of concern?  Doesn't the tank behave as a cooler of sorts?
And what does the temp of oil in the tank tell you when the bike is parked?  How does one use the info for a tank thermometer?  What will you do if the instrument tells you something you don't like?

Bear in mind, I like gadgets as much or more than the next guy.  So, I certainly see the lure.  Just trying to enumerate the benefits.

Cheers,

[Deltarider]

I've modified my previous post for more clarity. I'm not a native speaker and not familiar with the difference between the words 'hazardous' and 'dangerous'. In Dutch we have one word for it.

[strynboen]

wv had some temp sensors on the aircooled engines..vho vas a adapter ring..under the spark plug(if i renember korrekt)...it vas elektric konnekted..have no idea if it vas a bi metal on/off..or a liniar temp  signal...

Deutz f6l, use a oil heat instrument kontroll light signal..  the Deutz had a nice metal housing vith 4 varning light...it is abaut 30 mm in diameter so fine for mc use..

[spotty]

a friend of mine used to have an elec temp sender on his hi-po lambretta (yes really, they do exist), he got a temp sensor and jammed it between two of the fins on the cylinder (which lives inside a fan cooled shroud)

as the scooter was running perfectly when he installed it he used the sent temp as the benchline and anything below or above that level was an indication of something amiss. he never knew or needed to know what the ideal temp was and because the sender was inside a shroud with a crank mounted fan constantly ramming air past it he would never have been able to get a 'true ' temp anyway. it was only done as an indication.

I guess the same could be said for these in tank temp gauges, you would use it more as an indication of something NQR rather than an absolute measurement. I'm sure someone here knows the ideal running temp of engine oil in an air cooled motor but then how accurate is the gauge in the first place. maybe test in a pot of boiling water to see if it hits 100C as the water boils

I could be wrong there but that's what i'd be going for anyway. on the other hand, I've found that if you can smell the oil when you stop at the lights then its probably getting a bit hot (not unusual in Australia on a 40C plus day...), or more is getting out than usual (not unusual on one of my bikes...)

[seanbarney41]

Deutz f6l, use a oil heat instrument kontroll light signal..  the Deutz had a nice metal housing vith 4 varning light...it is abaut 30 mm in diameter so fine for mc use..

Deutz parts on an sohc4, that's something I can get behind!  ...wonder how many here even know what a Deutz is!

[dave500]

rattley aircooled v8 trucks!

[seanbarney41]

Dave500 ftw!   They actually still sell spanking new turbodiesel 4 bangers for heavy duty/industrial applications.

[Yamahawk]

My TrailTech Vapor has a temp gauge on it for water or air cooled engines, and I used it for a head temp gauge on my RD350 race bike. The sensor would either fit on the spark plug, or one of the cylinder head bolts. Worked rather well! Not near as good as a EGT gauge in the expansion chamber, but you could see when the engine was too lean or had an air leak by the head temp.
Charlie

[tlbranth]

Back in the day I had a set of vdo cockpit gauges on my '70 CB750. Ammeter, Mechanical oil pressure and custom made mechanical temp gauge. They're in the cupboard now but seem to work fine when I had them on the bike. I don't think vdo will custom make stuff anymore and I agree that marine grade stuff is probably more suited to a bike out in the elements but I was happy with the setup. LED's don't do it for me. Nor do electric senders with a 90 degree needle movement. Even though it's not that much more precise, I like a gauge with a 3/4 circle sweep. So I put a mechanical vdo cockpit oil pressure gauge on my '75 GL1000. It's the way God intended gauges to be.

[PeWe]

I’ll check the suggestions when back home and a computer, small iPhone sucks for Internet searches.

It might be possible to seal a gauge for rainy days and bumpier rides.
On the top between tacho and speedo.  It will be interesting to follow the oil temp all the time while riding, see when OK to twist the throttle from cold engine. Oil temp must be around min. 100C, max 120C, right?
I guess full synth does not mind 130C now and then.