Topic: Where to connect oil pressure gauge on cb550

[q2418130103p]

I would like to use something like the mini-mini oil pressure gauge that cycle x has, and mount it directly on the engine.






Does the CB550 have the same oil port as the 750 in this picture?:

[jimkalfakis]

Yes, right side bottom of engine. There is a port there. A bit different than the 750

[shizzomynizzo]

Oil galley plug on the lower right side of the engine. I bought a new plug already tapped on ebay for 15 bucks last year. Then I bought a fuel pressure gauge from jegs for 17.99. bought some small 1/8 npt plumbing at home depot for 10-12 dollars and it worked great.

[Kong]

I'm just curious, why do you want it?

[q2418130103p]

I'm just curious, why do you want it?

The oil pressure gauge, or that mini-mini gauge?

[Bodi]

The 550 engine oil gallery plug is at the front bottom of the engine rather than the location on the 750. The difference is how protected the plumbing (and gauge if mounted right there) is. A gauge would probably be smashed if the bike fell over, a well placed elbow and copper line leading to a more protected spot for the gauge would not necessarily be damaged in a fall over, but might be ripped off if the bike goes down in motion. If other wise safe to ride the bike will be unusable with oil spraying out the side. Carry an unmodified engine plug and wrench for it, or a plumbing plug the same thread as your engine plug is tapped for (and wrenches for it and the fitting installed).
I have a gauge setup on a 400F - similar plug location - and needed the emergency plug once when the gauge tube snapped, either from work hardening or from being hit somehow.

[q2418130103p]

I figured I would make a line to hug the engine as close as possible, and possibly mount the pipe to the engine at a couple points.

[shizzomynizzo]

My bike went down and it took the gauge off when it happened. oil poured out the motor. Luckily i was in the driveway at home 

It is something to consider. I am still putting one on my new 550, I don't like to rely on idiot lights, because you never know if they're working or not.

[q2418130103p]

I do not like the idea of relying on the idiot light either.  I am not sure if it works this way or not, but I would like to be able to peak at the gauge on a hot day to see if the oil temperature has risen to a point where oil pressure is being affected.

[shizzomynizzo]

I do not like the idea of relying on the idiot light either.  I am not sure if it works this way or not, but I would like to be able to peak at the gauge on a hot day to see if the oil temperature has risen to a point where oil pressure is being affected.

Indeed it does. It helps to tell the motor is healthy too, without doing a compression check.

[jimkalfakis]

Oil galley plug on the lower right side of the engine. I bought a new plug already tapped on ebay for 15 bucks last year. Then I bought a fuel pressure gauge from jegs for 17.99. bought some small 1/8 npt plumbing at home depot for 10-12 dollars and it worked great.

Fuel pressure guage for a Honda CB?? And it worked great?? Really? What's the gauge reading with gravity fed carbs? Just curious 

[shizzomynizzo]

Oil galley plug on the lower right side of the engine. I bought a new plug already tapped on ebay for 15 bucks last year. Then I bought a fuel pressure gauge from jegs for 17.99. bought some small 1/8 npt plumbing at home depot for 10-12 dollars and it worked great.

Fuel pressure guage for a Honda CB?? And it worked great?? Really? What's the gauge reading with gravity fed carbs? Just curious  

No, no you are misunderstanding what I am trying to say. The fuel pressure gauge is small enough to put on there to still be able to read it. I hook it up to the oil galley plug via 1/8 npt fitting in order to read the oil pressure on the bike, not fuel. The gauges are designed to be used under the hood on cars for fuel injection systems. They are A LOT cheaper than oil pressure gauges and work great. ($15 vs $50+) Liquid filled so the vibrations don't have the needle jumping around.

If you go this route, make sure you order a 100 psi gauge, I accidentally ordered a 25 the first time and had to pay return shipping  

http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS/555/41013/10002/-1

They are mechanical gauges and measure the pressure of anything you hook them up to. On sale for 14.99 right now!

[q2418130103p]

I'd love to find a pressure/temp combo that was analog and small...

[cocinero196]

Oil galley plug on the lower right side of the engine. I bought a new plug already tapped on ebay for 15 bucks last year. Then I bought a fuel pressure gauge from jegs for 17.99. bought some small 1/8 npt plumbing at home depot for 10-12 dollars and it worked great.

Hi, i would love to do this on my cb550...but i think i would prefer an oil temp over an oil pressure gauge, would it be okay if you could send me links on what to buy to make this possible? Fyi, I'm not a diy person
Thanks!

[Bankerdanny]

My 550 came with a oil pressure gauge on it, but it is a full size and mounts up top between the speedo and tach. The PO just replaced the OP sensor with the tap for the gauge. The tube runs out the starter cover, up the spine and between the speedo/tach to the gauge.

I'm not that happy with the look, but I am a fan of more vs less info on how my engine is running. I'm going to fab up some sort of mini-dash from aluminum stock to hold the gauge to make it look like less of an ad-on.

My pressure starts about 75lbs cold then as the bike warms up fully it runs about 50-55psi at 5k rpms and about 20psi at idle.

[Deltarider]

Wouldn't risk it. Riding a bike is serious business and you're in constant danger. Your eyes should be on the road. My safety matters more than anything. Chance that my (or anyone's) eyes are at the gauge the moment a pressure drop occurs, is zero. Oil gauges direct at the engine is madness. You WILL be tempted to look when underway. Others have described what can happen if bike falls over. If it's about engine's condition you can easily screw one on periodically just for the test and remove it with the same ease.

[70CB750]

There is no need to look down while riding, it depends too much on the RPM.  The real time to check the oil pressure is in idle, like before you turn it off.

Still quick glance down is faster than looking over your shoulder to verify what you see or not see in the mirror and every biker does that.

Just saying 

[90blacknight]

Hello all,
New to the forum. Sorry to revive an old thread but I'm curious about the plugs in the following photo, marked #10. Can the two plugs underneath the motor be used for an oil pressure gauge? Or just the one on the right side?

[bryanj]

Not the one underneath, just the one on the side

[Bodi]

Maybe? I don't know what they could be plugging other than an oil gallery, might be from the pump to the filter though. The right side one is definitely in the main gallery feeding filtered oil to the bearings. Adding a fitting and oil line under the engine seems more vulnerable to damage and definitely less visible to notice leaks, although you would notice crashing due to the rear tire being well oiled...

[Deltarider]

Why bother? When it springs a leak unnoticed, you'll be cursing yourself. The one on the right side is the one some Honda mecs used to check oil pressure at 20.000 kms intervals. AFIK not many did though. It was not needed. What could be useful, is to connect an acoustic alarm to the pressure idiot light. I had it for years. Used that dreadful turn signal buzzer for it.

[web]

Quite the thread here :-)

Anyway, while I'm not in favor of a 'no gauges' policy just to keep more eyes on the road, running high pressure oil lines anywhere ahead of the rear tire also seems a bad idea.

What I didn't see here yet is the option of an electric gauge, to keep oil line exposure to a minimum. Sadly there's probably not enough space under the cover to do a straight swap from pressure switch to pressure sensor, but... that's one idea.

Not sure I'd design it for dropping the bike though - just don't drop the bike   If you're dropping your bike occasionally, better invest in crash bars first - then an oil gauge to fit within them...

[Deltarider]

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,103011.msg1857817.html#msg1857817
The gauge described was originally marketed by VDO for yachts.

[PeWe]

There is no need to look down while riding, it depends too much on the RPM.  The real time to check the oil pressure is in idle, like before you turn it off.

Still quick glance down is faster than looking over your shoulder to verify what you see or not see in the mirror and every biker does that.

Just saying 

+3
I thought that an oil pressure gauge was useless while riding.
I installed one and found that I have been wrong for decades.
Easy to get a quick reading.
This on a CB750.
My K2 got one too

[90blacknight]

Well I do have crash bars on order so it should offer some protection, but I'd like to run a line up to the handlebars and mount a small 1.5 inch oil pressure gauge. Anyone know of a handlebar mount that can accommodate a small gauge like that?

I ordered these:
I think they look slick

[Tracksnblades1]

There is no need to look down while riding, it depends too much on the RPM.  The real time to check the oil pressure is in idle, like before you turn it off.

Still quick glance down is faster than looking over your shoulder to verify what you see or not see in the mirror and every biker does that.

Just saying 

I've been guilty of constantly verifying what I saw in the mirror prior to returning to the lane after a legal passing of a car. Never know what the other one is thinking. I've had courious drivers speed up to look 👀 you over. Most riders I know don't actually read the gauge once underway. They just glance for a familiar needle position reference.