How do you know?
With an oil thermometer fitted in the cranckcase oil fill hole. Cheap on eBay. 80º to 100 º is ok.
Overheating not common. However, without the benefit of an oil temp. gauge you can get a good indication if your engine starts to spit and sputter. You may feel a bit more heat than usual while sitting still but that may be it's just hotter than normal, not overheating.
If you're driving around town in a hot day, your engine may run hotter than usual but it shouldn't be a problem. If you're waiting in traffic or stop lights for long periods of time, you might pick up the sent of hot oil burning off the engine block, something you don't normally experience.
FWIW: Ways to avoid is to split traffic if allowed where you live, i.e. keep your bike moving. If doing a high speed run through the desert in mid July/August and you sense it's overheating, back off the throttle and pull the choke knob out, (i.e. fuel enricher). That'll let more fuel into the cylinders and cool things off a little. Ensure your oil cooler is not blocked by dirt and debris and the cooling fins are not mashed together, blocking air flow across the cooler.
Overheating, oh no, i know what that is, it is one cylinder head with cracks between valvels.
Thanks for the info. I am now a daily driver on it again and the south can be hot at times. With summer around the corner I just wanted to know what to watch out for when I am riding. I checked and we can not slit lanes which is a bummer. I will just find longer alternate routes if traffic jams become a problem. I may put on a new oil cooler when RPM sells them just to be safe.
I live in Boston and it sometimes gets above freezing in the dead of summer. I have an oil temp gage and on a hot day in traffic I have seen the gage go to 260 - 280 Deg F I can even tell without looking at the gage. I can feel the heat wafting up.
In my humble opinion, I think that may be a bit hot. You also have to consider that the previous owner fitted a larger oil cooler to the bike. Considering where I live and the fact that I have an oversize oil cooler, I think the guys that live in the warmer southern states have a problem.
Oversize oil cooler and a temp gage would be a minimum requirement.
In Southern Australia (Melbourne) Summer temps are routinely mid to high 30's C and low 40's not uncommon. I got caught out in a jam with no escape, not even footpaths, in 42C (107F) on an already hot motor and cooked it. $1300 a re-bore and pistons later it still overheats very easily. Even in cold weather, coming into town from the open road with nice hot oil it only takes a couple of red lights in a row and I can feel and smell the heat and by the next lights the clutch is starting to chatter on take off and it nips up when I turn it off and needs to sit for 5 mins. On a hot day I cannot ride in shorts (yeah I know!) because of the radiated heat even while moving. My short term fix has been to modify my riding habits ie. avoid city and general use around town, richen the mixtrue by raising the needles and running synthetic oil. I'm hanging out for Randy's new oil cooler. Have a look at the size of the oil cooler on recent Jap air cooled 4's of similar displacement, they're huge by comparison.
Noel
Ribbert: Your experience does not surprise me and there is no reason to have to live with it. I bet if you get a bigger oil cooler your probs will be solved. Not a major job to do either!
Ester based synthetic oil is good, Bigger oil coolers are good, when air is flowing......
I keep saying, The key to a cooler running air cooled FJ motor in hot weather climates is...JETTING.
40.0 min. or 42.5 pilot jets at low rpms, and shimmed/raised needles at mid rpms.
FJ's ran lean the day they rolled off the production line. The USA versions more-so. I'll get down off my soapbox now.
As you were.
I guess I will have to figure how to do that this summer.
Quote from: chapindad on April 29, 2011, 11:57:18 AM
I checked and we can not slit lanes which is a bummer. I will just find longer alternate routes if traffic jams become a problem.
I think what you MEAN to say is that you cannot SPLIT lanes LEGALLY. Even if this is the case, it is very difficult for a cop to chase and catch you doing this in a car. Its a rare cop that would bother when there are so many other fish in the sea to fill their quota creel with. :-/
I can understand that you would choose to extend the joy of riding your FJ by finding alternate longer routes, but in some locations all the routes are clogged (Melbourne as an example).
Cheers,
Arnie
Cops around here all have permanent HD cameras going. Better not have your plates showing, and better not take the same route routinely, or you'll end up with a knock on your door one day.
Quote from: Pat Conlon on May 05, 2011, 12:06:29 PM
Ester based synthetic oil is good, Bigger oil coolers are good, when air is flowing......
I keep saying, The key to a cooler running air cooled FJ motor in hot weather climates is...JETTING.
40.0 min. or 42.5 pilot jets at low rpms, and shimmed/raised needles at mid rpms.
FJ's ran lean the day they rolled off the production line. The USA versions more-so. I'll get down off my soapbox now.
As you were.
Bah!
What would you know about hot weather.
Oh, wait, you mean like the day we rode to Joshua Tree?
Quote from: Arnie on May 05, 2011, 08:57:28 PM
Quote from: chapindad on April 29, 2011, 11:57:18 AM
I checked and we can not slit lanes which is a bummer. I will just find longer alternate routes if traffic jams become a problem.
I think what you MEAN to say is that you cannot SPLIT lanes LEGALLY. Even if this is the case, it is very difficult for a cop to chase and catch you doing this in a car. Its a rare cop that would bother when there are so many other fish in the sea to fill their quota creel with. :-/
I can understand that you would choose to extend the joy of riding your FJ by finding alternate longer routes, but in some locations all the routes are clogged (Melbourne as an example).
Cheers,
Arnie
Had the joy of following qld's finest on his bike down ipswich motor way in the push bike lane doin 80 or so... while there was a major traffic jam...no disco lights on or anything... good for him good for me.....
Quote from: Klavdy on May 06, 2011, 02:29:12 AM
Bah!
What would you know about hot weather?
Oh, wait, you mean like the day we rode to Joshua Tree?
Yea, that was a toasty ride. What was it, something like 127* that day? (52.7c) IIRC Even the park rangers commented on the temp.
I left home that day without my trusty Camelback, a big, big mistake. :ireful: Never again. Although the Bike ran well.....
Quote from: Arnie on May 05, 2011, 08:57:28 PM
I think what you MEAN to say is that you cannot SPLIT lanes LEGALLY.
:) That was what I meant.
How many state is the US can split lanes legally? I am just curious, it may be something I try and get passed. If other states are doing it, then it would make it a little easier to convince. I know a lot of cities have motorcycle/car pool lanes, but not a single one in South Carolina that I know about. This could be a cheap fix for the state, especially since more bikes are becoming commuters as the price of gas stays high.
Quote from: chapindad on May 06, 2011, 11:46:05 AM
How many state is the US can split lanes legally?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lane_splitting (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lane_splitting)
At one time I did not own a car and only rode 2 wheel only. I went to Arizona to visit family and friends and got stuck in traffic in hot weather. I was on my 86' Honda Hurricane (CBR) 600 and I could hear and feel the coolant boiling under my seat. I naturally started splitting lanes (a California guy) on the freeway. Got pulled over $##@! It was way too hot to be sitting even if I only had jeans and my less than safe light weight but leather jacket. The LEO asked what I was doing so I explained my overheating issue and having read up on the traffic laws in AZ being the same as CA. The laws at that time were almost word for word. He agreed on the wording but told me they are not interpreted and enforced the same. He must have thought I was genuine and honest and let go with only a verbal warning. Nice guy, he was right, I had no idea. I pulled off the freeway and made better time on side roads. Thinking back...I could have had a real animal in 86' and have the bike I have now, an 86" FJ. :biggrin:
i guess now is a good time as any to pose this question. ..
I am planning a trip to death valley may 20th-23rd. It's going to be hot. Not super hot, but 100 to 110 degrees F.
I currently have the stock oil cooler and have no idea if my bike overheats. with the super poor fuel economy (150 miles/tank) it must be running super rich, so therefore it must be semi cool.
I have two options, buy a cheap ebay oil cooler (they run about $50) or stick with the stock oil cooler.
Comments?
As long as you're moving and not sitting in traffic, the air cooled lump does just fine. Having said that, a new, bigger oil cooler is always a kind thing to do to your machine, but If I were you, I'd wait to see what Randy comes up with -seems to me he's got something in the works.
Dan
i would buy Randy's kit, given it was a fair price. I know you get what you pay for, but let's be real, if i had the funds i'd be cruising around in a BMW, not a FJ1200.
I've only put 1k miles on the FJ, and to be honest, I absolutely love it! i really enjoy riding it. but air cooled and carbs do have their downfalls.
anywho, assuming Randy's kit doesn't cost $200+, i would purchase it in a heartbeat.
but for now, since i am going to death valley, I'm guessing she'll do alright with the stock cooler, right?
Really I just need some validation from others so I don't feel guilty about doing it.
:music:
Quote from: wakdady on May 08, 2011, 02:57:36 AM
but for now, since i am going to death valley, I'm guessing she'll do alright with the stock cooler, right?
Really I just need some validation from others so I don't feel guilty about doing it.
If you can stand the heat so can the bike. Personally i would recommend you use a good synthetic oil in the crankcase and keep the bike moving. I've ridden in the desert with an '86 FJ and it was 100 plus and the bike was fine.
I suspected my FJ was overheating based on the heat my legs were feeling duriwhile riding last summer. I bought a IR thermometer and checked the cylinder head temp at various places, as I recall it was in the 400° range.
Yep, I agree with the others. Good oil and good gas and you'll be fine. Death Valley in late May is fine, not too extreme.
Randy is scrambling getting his last minute chores done before the WCR so I don't think he will have his new trick coolers ready in time for your trip. Your stock oil cooler is fine.
So that takes care of the bike, how about the rider? Take your Camelback. Start your hydration before you start your ride.
We all know of the Wind Chill Effect, but the inverse is also true, we call it the Blast Furnace Effect: Riding at 70mph in 100* is equilivent to 110*
Hydrate accordingly and enjoy the desert!
Cheers! Paddy
Don't be tempted to strip down to a T-Shirt either.
Not for Safety Nazi reasons, no, it's so you don't rapidly dehydrate.
You'll be cooler (as long as you are moving) with protection from the sun & wind.
Pat & I know a thing or two about riding in extremely hot conditions.
I've ridden Death Valley, it;s a fantastic ride, I even broke down in Death Valley.
It was just a fuse but still,.
Take plenty water, grease your face and lips up with moisturiser and chapstick and don't drink sodas instead of water.
The best thing I did riding across the desert between LA and Phoenix in the summer was wear sweat pants over jeans, two or three sweat pull overs and wrapped a towel around my neck. All soaking wet of course. Stop for gas and re-soak helmet and all parts of gear that will absorb water. I got some strange looks as I hosed myself down at the gas station. Not good protection from falling but I stayed quite comfortable between fill-ups. It was almost too cold first thing after a fill-up. The evaporative vests work on the same concept, just not as long. I did not need to pump water in as most of what evaporated was not from my skin. A well vented jacket and wet under clothes might work just as well. I now have a vented jacket so I will learn what works to keep me comfortable this summer.
Quote from: wakdady on May 08, 2011, 02:03:52 AM
i guess now is a good time as any to pose this question. ..
I am planning a trip to death valley may 20th-23rd. It's going to be hot. Not super hot, but 100 to 110 degrees F.
I currently have the stock oil cooler and have no idea if my bike overheats. with the super poor fuel economy (150 miles/tank) it must be running super rich, so therefore it must be semi cool.
I have two options, buy a cheap ebay oil cooler (they run about $50) or stick with the stock oil cooler.
Comments?
I ride with a stock cooler in the heat of Tucson, 100+ every day after June 1st.... No problems, just don't get stuck in traffic.....
Hottest day last year was around 115, typical is 105.
thanks for the tips guys.
I used to work for a major japanese car manufacturer's research and development arm. we went to death valley to test brakes during july. we were intentionally trying to melt them and collect data. IT WAS AWESOME! i've wanted to go back ever since.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_rX4-nVlemEE/TcivRKratoI/AAAAAAAAB5s/G7adkEuJvZ8/s800/07-17-2005%20061.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_rX4-nVlemEE/TcivREX2pWI/AAAAAAAAB5w/xnUgpooeeYo/s800/07-17-2005%20150.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_rX4-nVlemEE/TciwZD82XnI/AAAAAAAAB54/AXW64yfnsgA/s800/07-17-2005%20114.jpg)
The best time I had in Death Valley was riding my motorcycle through our camp site, rider on the back armed with water balloons, and getting pelted by enemy water balloons. I miss my young and foolish days. The older I get, the Faster I was.....My new mods should slow that effect down just a little bit. See you WCR!!!
JET IT and open your exhaust