Author Topic: Oil pressure gauges on EBay (Read 5096 times)

Terry in Australia · « **on:** April 28, 2008, 05:18:42 AM »

VDO make nice quality gauges, and these look nice, but I'm not altogether comfortable with this statement:

"Liquid filled gauges DO NOT work for reading oil pressure on motorcycles! They fail to register once the engine oil is hot! If you have a liquid-filled gauge installed now, you know what I mean. It will work when you first start you bike, but once it's hot, it doesn't register accurately anymore. There is nothing wrong with your bike... it's the gauge!"

Now it's been my experience that the liquid in liquid filled guages "dampens" the violent needle movement on motorcycle engines, whereas non-oil filled gauges (usually designed for use with air compressors and air tools etc) often fail. I've got a couple with the needles sitting in the bottom of the guage after being flung off.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Honda-CB750-CB-750-Chrome-oil-pressure-gauge-THAT-WORKS_W0QQitemZ220228254920QQihZ012QQcategoryZ50463QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Caveat Emptor?

Bob Wessner · « **Reply #1 on:** April 28, 2008, 05:30:20 AM »

Aside from your vested interest

, I share your skepticism. Mine's liquid filled and reads just fine, hot or cold.

alltherightpills · « **Reply #2 on:** April 28, 2008, 06:15:42 AM »

Could I use this (or something like it) on my 78 550k? I have only seen them on 750's, but I haven't looked very hard to see if they would work on a 550. Do they replace the dipstick in the oil tank?

Thanks
Zach

kghost · « **Reply #3 on:** April 28, 2008, 07:51:24 AM »

Yeah terry,

Good one mate.

I've no idea why my $9.95 liquid filled gauge from grainger continues to work.

Should we all ask him? He might have an advanced engineering degree or maybe aliens shared technology with him

Terry in Australia · « **Reply #4 on:** April 28, 2008, 07:29:29 PM »

Quote from: Bob Wessner on April 28, 2008, 05:30:20 AM

Aside from your vested interest , I share your skepticism. Mine's liquid filled and reads just fine, hot or cold.

No Bob, as hurtful as your vile accusation is, (

)I've been out of the oil pressure guage business for a couple of years now, so I wasn't trying to sabotage this guy's business, in fact I'm after two liquid filled gauges myself (Tim? Mate?) and that's how I found his listing.

I suspect that he's somehow inferring that the liquid in the liquid filled gauges is the engines' own oil, and as it thins when it gets hot, it affects the accuracy of the gauge, which of course is craap, but it might fool some less experienced SOHC4 fans.

If this is the case, he needs to be told, but I ran into him once before when he was selling 100 PSI gauges for Suzuki GS1000's and I reminded him that those bikes only run around 5 psi when cold, and he got a little defensive?

I much prefer the liquid filled gauges for reasons previously mentioned, but if there is a reason why non-liquid filled gauges are better, I'd like to hear it? Cheers, Terry.

kghost · « **Reply #5 on:** April 28, 2008, 08:53:58 PM »

PM sent terry

scondon · « **Reply #6 on:** April 28, 2008, 08:59:43 PM »

Quote from: Terry in Australia on April 28, 2008, 07:29:29 PM

I much prefer the liquid filled gauges for reasons previously mentioned, but if there is a reason why non-liquid filled gauges are better, I'd like to hear it? Cheers, Terry.

Because they don't have little rubber bungs in them that fall out so you lose all the liquid, then moisture gets in and rusts everything solid

Honestly I've used both liquid and dry gauges and I think the seller is huffing paint before typing up his auctions. A bad gauge is a bad gauge regardless of what's in it and I have found nothing in comparing the two types that would even come close to supporting his claims. Both liquid and dry gauges drop 40+ lbs of pressure when the 750 gets hot, is it the gauge

I would've sworn by the mini Autometer dry gauges had my most recent one not gone all spinny on me after just 5000 miles. Good news is that I have 45lbs pressure before I even start the bike and 100+ lbs when I get'er going. Bad news is that it drops to zero after 100 miles of riding. So much for dry gauges,eh

I also liked my mini liquid gauge until the bung fell out and everything froze up within 500 miles

I've got a huge liquid filled gauge from last century that came on my first bike. All the clear liquid has been replaced by engine oil and I can barely see the needle any more. Chrome is rusted through and the thing looks butt ugly. Still works like a charm and I'd have it on one of my bikes now if it weren't so...well....BIG and ugly

kghost · « **Reply #7 on:** April 28, 2008, 09:01:49 PM »

When the engine oil does that replace the glycerin.

You can buy it at the pharmacy (chemist for you terry)

754 · « **Reply #8 on:** April 28, 2008, 09:05:37 PM »

I can remember guys(in the 70,s) pressing in a restrictor like a main jet, to let less oil at the guage, making it read steadier..

kghost · « **Reply #9 on:** April 28, 2008, 09:08:30 PM »

Commonly on Aircraft the gauge or sender line is restricted...but thats so you can land before the oil runs out if it breaks

Terry in Australia · « **Reply #10 on:** April 28, 2008, 09:51:34 PM »

Quote from: scondon on April 28, 2008, 08:59:43 PM

Quote from: Terry in Australia on April 28, 2008, 07:29:29 PM

I much prefer the liquid filled gauges for reasons previously mentioned, but if there is a reason why non-liquid filled gauges are better, I'd like to hear it? Cheers, Terry.

Because they don't have little rubber bungs in them that fall out so you lose all the liquid, then moisture gets in and rusts everything solid

Honestly I've used both liquid and dry gauges and I think the seller is huffing paint before typing up his auctions. A bad gauge is a bad gauge regardless of what's in it and I have found nothing in comparing the two types that would even come close to supporting his claims. Both liquid and dry gauges drop 40+ lbs of pressure when the 750 gets hot, is it the gauge

I would've sworn by the mini Autometer dry gauges had my most recent one not gone all spinny on me after just 5000 miles. Good news is that I have 45lbs pressure before I even start the bike and 100+ lbs when I get'er going. Bad news is that it drops to zero after 100 miles of riding. So much for dry gauges,eh

I also liked my mini liquid gauge until the bung fell out and everything froze up within 500 miles

I've got a huge liquid filled gauge from last century that came on my first bike. All the clear liquid has been replaced by engine oil and I can barely see the needle any more. Chrome is rusted through and the thing looks butt ugly. Still works like a charm and I'd have it on one of my bikes now if it weren't so...well....BIG and ugly

Where the farouk have you been Young Master Condon? I've been camped beside my mail box since March 11, and every day the postman just rides on past me, giving me a funny look? Explain yourself, young man!

Ha ha, did I send you that oil filled gauge Sean? I used a bit of Threebond 1104 to seal all the bungs on the ones I was selling after Derek's took a dump and I had to send him a really nice one I was saving for my F2, was it one of mine?

You know they all came with a concrete warranty, but once you step off the concrete, the warranty expires..............

scondon · « **Reply #11 on:** April 28, 2008, 11:07:16 PM »

Quote from: Terry in Australia on April 28, 2008, 09:51:34 PM

Quote from: scondon on April 28, 2008, 08:59:43 PM
Quote from: Terry in Australia on April 28, 2008, 07:29:29 PM

I much prefer the liquid filled gauges for reasons previously mentioned, but if there is a reason why non-liquid filled gauges are better, I'd like to hear it? Cheers, Terry.

Because they don't have little rubber bungs in them that fall out so you lose all the liquid, then moisture gets in and rusts everything solid

Honestly I've used both liquid and dry gauges and I think the seller is huffing paint before typing up his auctions. A bad gauge is a bad gauge regardless of what's in it and I have found nothing in comparing the two types that would even come close to supporting his claims. Both liquid and dry gauges drop 40+ lbs of pressure when the 750 gets hot, is it the gauge

I would've sworn by the mini Autometer dry gauges had my most recent one not gone all spinny on me after just 5000 miles. Good news is that I have 45lbs pressure before I even start the bike and 100+ lbs when I get'er going. Bad news is that it drops to zero after 100 miles of riding. So much for dry gauges,eh

I also liked my mini liquid gauge until the bung fell out and everything froze up within 500 miles

I've got a huge liquid filled gauge from last century that came on my first bike. All the clear liquid has been replaced by engine oil and I can barely see the needle any more. Chrome is rusted through and the thing looks butt ugly. Still works like a charm and I'd have it on one of my bikes now if it weren't so...well....BIG and ugly

Where the farouk have you been Young Master Condon? I've been camped beside my mail box since March 11, and every day the postman just rides on past me, giving me a funny look? Explain yourself, young man!

Ha ha, did I send you that oil filled gauge Sean? I used a bit of Threebond 1104 to seal all the bungs on the ones I was selling after Derek's took a dump and I had to send him a really nice one I was saving for my F2, was it one of mine?

You know they all came with a concrete warranty, but once you step off the concrete, the warranty expires..............

I've been caught in a vicious cycle of way too much work mixed with sleeping late on the weekends followed by many miles of meandering through the foothills chasing after sportbikes. I finally called in dead last Monday in order to get some stuff done so get ready to kiss the postman

That gauge was one you sent along with explicit instructions to "properly" seal the bung. I installed it and put the "proper sealing" on my to do list

Steve F · « **Reply #12 on:** April 29, 2008, 04:43:59 AM »

Quote from: kghost on April 28, 2008, 07:51:24 AM

Yeah terry,

Good one mate.

I've no idea why my $9.95 liquid filled gauge from grainger continues to work.

Should we all ask him? He might have an advanced engineering degree or maybe aliens shared technology with him

Ditto........have a Grainger gage too, liquid filled......works perfectly for 9000 miles+ Not a "calibrated" instrument, but it works for me!
Terry, where do you suppose this guy got his information about the gage not working after it gets hot? What a crock!

hopterfixer · « **Reply #13 on:** April 29, 2008, 05:11:36 AM »

I am glad this came up as I had been wondering about the claims of oil filled gauges not working properly myself. I needed to replace my gauge since I could hardly see through the crazed lens. In an old thread someone mentioned Grainger, so I purchased http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/items/5WZ13. It looks and works great, just like the old MC enterprises one it replaced. So +2 on Grainger

dpen · « **Reply #14 on:** April 29, 2008, 05:38:10 AM »

Hey scondon, my K7 is a rat & a big, ugly rusted gauge would set off the general scunginess of the bike

Terry in Australia · « **Reply #15 on:** April 29, 2008, 10:12:41 PM »

Quote from: dpen on April 29, 2008, 05:38:10 AM

Hey scondon, my K7 is a rat & a big, ugly rusted gauge would set off the general scunginess of the bike

Hey Dave, to save on shipping, I can send you a nice 30 year old gauge that was a bit manky inside, and the oil had run out, so I filled it with ATF and now it's got a lovely reddish hue..............

kghost · « **Reply #16 on:** April 29, 2008, 10:14:21 PM »

You figure out which ones ya wanted Terry?

Terry in Australia · « **Reply #17 on:** April 29, 2008, 11:02:23 PM »

Quote from: kghost on April 29, 2008, 10:14:21 PM

You figure out which ones ya wanted Terry?

G'Day Tim, I like these ones that Hopty recommended, but I can't work out the graduations in psi? I could understand 5 graduations @ 20 psi each, but 6? Or am I just drinking too much..............

If yours is 1.5inch dia/100 psi/rear mounting/1/4" NPT/liquid filled/stainless or chrome body, could you order me 3 of them please? I don't need a 0-15 psi one as I had one in a box all along. Cheers, Terry.

dpen · « **Reply #18 on:** April 30, 2008, 02:18:02 AM »

If you have a gauge like that Terry, drop us a line & I'll take it off your hands

"SAY NO TO CHROME!!!!!"

Terry in Australia · « **Reply #19 on:** April 30, 2008, 03:03:47 AM »

Quote from: dpen on April 30, 2008, 02:18:02 AM

If you have a gauge like that Terry, drop us a line & I'll take it off your hands

"SAY NO TO CHROME!!!!!"

No worries Dave, but, er, it's all chrome? Still, it's got your name on it mate, send me your address and I'll get it off to you! Cheers, Terry.

hopterfixer · « **Reply #20 on:** April 30, 2008, 04:26:18 AM »

Quote from: Terry in Australia on April 29, 2008, 11:02:23 PM

Quote from: kghost on April 29, 2008, 10:14:21 PM
You figure out which ones ya wanted Terry?

G'Day Tim, I like these ones that Hopty recommended, but I can't work out the graduations in psi? I could understand 5 graduations @ 20 psi each, but 6? Or am I just drinking too much..............

If yours is 1.5inch dia/100 psi/rear mounting/1/4" NPT/liquid filled/stainless or chrome body, could you order me 3 of them please? I don't need a 0-15 psi one as I had one in a box all along. Cheers, Terry.

The photo on the Grainger website is a general photo for all pressure ranges of that gauge. My 1/8" NPT, rear mount, 100 psi gauge has little marks every 2 psi, big marks every 10 psi, and is numerically identified every 20 psi. It also has a Kilopascals scale for those so inclined

Terry in Australia · « **Reply #21 on:** April 30, 2008, 01:19:01 PM »

Quote from: hopterfixer on April 30, 2008, 04:26:18 AM

Quote from: Terry in Australia on April 29, 2008, 11:02:23 PM
Quote from: kghost on April 29, 2008, 10:14:21 PM
You figure out which ones ya wanted Terry?

G'Day Tim, I like these ones that Hopty recommended, but I can't work out the graduations in psi? I could understand 5 graduations @ 20 psi each, but 6? Or am I just drinking too much..............

If yours is 1.5inch dia/100 psi/rear mounting/1/4" NPT/liquid filled/stainless or chrome body, could you order me 3 of them please? I don't need a 0-15 psi one as I had one in a box all along. Cheers, Terry.
The photo on the Grainger website is a general photo for all pressure ranges of that gauge. My 1/8" NPT, rear mount, 100 psi gauge has little marks every 2 psi, big marks every 10 psi, and is numerically identified every 20 psi. It also has a Kilopascals scale for those so inclined

Thanks Hopty, that's excellent! Tim, can you get me three of them please? Thanks Mate!

hopterfixer · « **Reply #22 on:** May 05, 2008, 06:39:43 PM »

Here is my new stainless oil pressure gauge from Grainger "not working" according to Mr. Ebay.

Terry in Australia · « **Reply #23 on:** May 05, 2008, 08:06:27 PM »

Quote from: hopterfixer on May 05, 2008, 06:39:43 PM

Here is my new stainless oil pressure gauge from Grainger "not working" according to Mr. Ebay.

Thanks Hopty, Tim (KGhost) has ordered 3 of them for me. Nice pic, BTW!

kghost · « **Reply #24 on:** May 05, 2008, 08:26:48 PM »

Actually I ordered 4

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Author Topic: Oil pressure gauges on EBay (Read 5096 times)