Additional Oil Temp Gauge Questions???

[FeralRdr]

Well,... I've been planning on adding an oil temp gauge for the past few months (as well as getting a new oil cooler from Randy), and I had a few additional questions that weren't covered in previous threads for those of you who've already done this Mod.

• How water resistant/proof is the gauge you have?  Have you had any problems with moisture getting in from washing or riding in the rain?  I've checked on the websites of many of the manufacturers mentioned (VDO, Autometer, etc) and though some have stated they have models designed for motorcycles they don't mention water resistancy, unless referring to marine grade gauges.
• Randy carries an oil galley adapter for temp or pressure gauge sensors.  What brands/models of sensors will fit that adapter?  Some of the manufacturers don't list the thread size of their sensors.
• Lastly, I've noticed that many gauges go to 300^o and some go to 340^o.  Do you find that your temperatures ever really go above 300^o for your normal riding style?  I realize this last question may result in many different answers as the answer would be based on different riding styles, climates, and oil coolers (OEM vs. aftermarket).  I'm just trying to get a feel of what would work best for me.

[tmkaos]

Hi there

P/O fitted one to my '93, factory oil cooler and summer temps from mid 20's C to low 30's C, winter temps from 4-5 C upwards. The gauge is calibrated in C, on a stinking hot day stuck in traffic too thick to lane split I've never seen more than 110C on it. It sits in the open and gets wet if it's raining. There definately is moisture build up on the inside of the gauge face when this happens, it doesn't seem to affect the gauge - 5 years of riding for me now and still ticking. It's  no-name gauge, but it is lit at night, and is a analogue style.

On an average summer day, say open road speeds of 100kph, temp in the high 20's it sits happily at around 65-70C. Winter time air temp of around 10-15C it stays down at around 50C.

here's a pic of it mounted..

[tmkaos]

Just had a closer look and I was mistaken, my gauge is a LaMoo brand... I'd recommend them, they're hardy 

[racerrad8]

• Randy carries an oil galley adapter for temp or pressure gauge sensors.  What brands/models of sensors will fit that adapter?  Some of the manufacturers don't list the thread size of their sensors.
• Lastly, I've noticed that many gauges go to 300^o and some go to 340^o.  Do you find that your temperatures ever really go above 300^o for your normal riding style?  I realize this last question may result in many different answers as the answer would be based on different riding styles, climates, and oil coolers (OEM vs. aftermarket).  I'm just trying to get a feel of what would work best for me.

I can offer you an answer to #2&3.

2) Any temperature sensor probe that has a 1/8"NPT will fit within my oil galley adapter. You need to verify the gauge you are buying has that size sending unit.
3) Normal operating temps should be 180-225 regarding oil temp. I do not believe there is no need to have a gauge that goes to 340.

Randy - RPM

[FeralRdr]

Thanks for the info guys.  I've been looking, and found out that Autometer and VDO both have sensors that will fit your galley plug Randy.  I'm currently looking at marine type gauges from both manufacturers.  I was hoping to find an actual waterproof gauge, but at least VDO and Autometer have water resistant gauges in their marine line of products, and hopefully that should be OK (it's not like I'm trying to convert the FJ into a mini-sub). 

Anyway, the info provided is appreciated.

[ELIMINATOR]

Where is the take off point for the gauge? What thread size is it, not an NPT for starters,

[Pat Conlon]

Where is the take off point for the gauge? What thread size is it, not an NPT for starters,

Hey Trev, not sure what you mean...these are electric temp. gauges.

The NPT thread is for the electric sender to thread into the galley plug.

[JMR]

I have this unit on my FJ and CB750.  http://shindypro.com/catalog/each_q_ptype.key23.html Very light weight easy to mount. Over 4 years of use with no problems.

[ELIMINATOR]

I mean where on the engine is the thread that is used to attach the sender.

[Pat Conlon]

I mean where on the engine is the thread that is used to attach the sender.

You mean the thread size of the galley plug? Dunno, you could drill your own or buy one of these from Randy:

http://www.rpmracingca.com/proddetail.asp?prod=Engine%3ARPMGP&cat=39

[Dazza57]

This thread interests me as I wait for my new oil cooler from Randy and research an oil temp gauge to install at the same time. When speaking to a supplier of VDO units, he mentioned that the sender unit was 2" long.
This got me to wondering
1. whether the senders are all this length?
2. will installing a sender this long interfere with any internals?
I have read the previous threads on installing oil temp gauges, but noone has mentioned this.

All help appreciated as always.

Cheers Dazza

[fj1314]

Where in the engine does the oil galley adapter go?

[fj11.5]

was going to fit the same type of gauge to mine, but instead bought an oil filleg gauge that just screws into the oil filler plug housing, hard to read when moving , but works fine, temps in c and I havnt seen it above 70 ,

[racerrad8]

Where in the engine does the oil galley adapter go?

I sent you an email with a photo earlier.

But, It goes in one of the three galley ports. The ports are under each side cover and have a 10mm allen plug installed. Or in the front of the block parallel with the end plugs under the header.

Randy - RPM

[Firehawk068]

I used an automotive type gauge from VDO


Mounted it to the right side inner fairing panel.


Here's the adapter you need for the sender.


I mounted it on the front of the crankcase here.




I am not sure what the difference is, of the 3 galley plugs you could choose to locate the fitting.......maybe someone with a better knowledge of the inner oil flow through these passages, like Randy, could tell us.

I have gotten it wet a few times when washing the bike, and riding home in the rain, but have not seen any ill effects.
It's been working fine for 2 years