Oil temp ?i

[roadrumble]

Want to change out air temp gauge and install oil temp gauge.
HD catalog says the black gauge is not compatible With chrome bezel trim kit?
Anyone have this issue?

 

[Lakeman]

I have the oil temp gauge but have not installed it yet. I have the chrome bezel also. If it doesn't fit I will remove the bezel from the right side lower guage as well. I also have the large chrome piece that surrounds the lower guages and the radio so all will still look fine.

 

[screwball]

I'd go and take a picture, but I'm lazy. Replaced the air temp gage with an oil temp. Chrome cover just double stick tapes on. Had no problem. '09 Tri-Glide

 

[Lakeman]

That sounds good screwball like I said I have not installed mine yet, hope it will fit. If it will fit I don't why the book says not.

 

[rap47]

Yes, it fits. Had one on my 2010 Ultra and now on the Tri Glide.

 

[CSM]

Just curious, but wouldn't this work as well or is there an accuracy problem?

Oil Level and Temperature Dipstick with Lighted LCD Readout

 

[pigbike]

Just curious, but wouldn't this work as well or is there an accuracy problem?

Oil Level and Temperature Dipstick with Lighted LCD Readout

That's what I use and it works good. I have been thinking of replacing the AIR gauge with something else, as the AIR gauge is about worthless. The oil temp gauge makes the most sense.

 

[screwball]

Had the dipstick oil temp gage on my softail, I had one of the old analog gages. Problem with the digital ones on touring bikes is it is kind of hard to see/operate at 70 mph. The gage on the dash is pretty easy to see. If I'm not mistaken, price isn't much different.

 

[pigbike]

Problem with the digital ones on touring bikes is it is kind of hard to see/operate at 70 mph.

Not that hard to do, just swing left leg over the tank, and then squat on the right running board, and push the button.

 

[jkchipster]

I was to lazy to install the dash one from Harley so bought one of these. Works great, made really well.

JESCustomAccents

 

[eagle1]

its nice to have the oil temp gage installed. when in hot weather, or traffic jams etc.
you automatically glance at it. '09 t/g.i have a jaggs universal oil cooler 6x9 in the l/h
crash bar and the oil temp bulb in the oil cooler Line-to-engine . that way i know exactly that the oil temp going into the engine is. also have a baker plus 1 oil pan which
has the oil oitlet ant the rear of the pan. BUT the drive belt slightly rubs the oil pan, even after the dealer adjusted it for me. (rubs the paint off) but before it was rubbing
a great deal.

 

[screwball]

Would have bought one of those in a heartbeat. Harley didn't offer any analog units, just the digital. Problem is, they cost about the same as the dash gage.

 

[Lakeman]

I have the dipstick unit and have the gauge unit to install. Reading the dipstick unit while sitting on the trike is not something that you should do while riding.

 

[GARYD]

I've had the digital dipstick on my last 3 Ultras and I'm trying to decide on which one to get for the TG - the dipstick or the gage. Probably the gage only because I think the air temp gage is the STUPIDEST thing Harley has ever done. I was even going to put in the compuss until I read that was almost as worthless as the air temp gage.

I don't know why you would want to check the oil temp while riding. I'm usually OK just being able to check it after I stop, but maybe I'll enjoy watching something else while riding - like the tach/speedo/GPS/radio/mp3 player/Sat radio/oil press. The only other thing I'd like to see is gear indicator and tire press. monitor. LOL

Price wise the dipstick is far cheaper due to install labor cost - unless you do it yourself, which most people can't.
At the end of the day, I'll most likely get the gage put in or use the money as a down payment for catless headers - IF I need to do that.

Does anyone have a good explanation on why Harley has an air temp gage in the first place? Do they think we're too stupid to know if it's cold or warm??

 

[Lakeman]

HD has the air temp guage so they can sell you an oil temp guage!!!

 

[screwball]

My guess is that if they put an oil temp gage there, everyone would be complaining how hot their oil was.

Most American cars have a 230* or 240* thermostat

 

[Phu Cat]

Screwball, Where'd ya put the sending unit?

Phu Cat

 

[screwball]

There is a bung on the front of the oil pan just for it. They provide wiring for the sending unit to the gage, and you reuse the power wire for the light in the temp gage. About 1/2 hour job. Didn't even bother to drain the pan, took the plug out, stuck my finger over the hole, quick like a bunny stuck in the sending unit and tightened it down, lost about a teaspoon of oil. Great instructions come with the gage.

Good Luck.

 

[GARYD]

Screwball, I assume the instructions showed how to route the wires?

Sounds like something even I could do.

 

[Lakeman]

GARYD I check the dipstick oil temp when I am stuck in traffic and it is awkward to see when you are sitting on the bike. If I had it to do over I would just buy the gauge.

 

[tis]

I replaced the Air Temp. Guage with the Oil Temp. Guage & the chrome bezel fit fine, this was on a 2004 Ultra. Now I have to figure how to mount the Chrome voltage regulator cover cause I also installed the oil cooler & the chrome v/r cover don't fit. I guess I'll just start notching it........

 

[GARYD]

Lakeman, I use to have the digital dipstick on my last 2 bikes. Yes it is awkward to read while on the bike. Normally I don't need to know what the temp is while riding so I can wait until I'm off the bike.
I haven't bought the dipstick unit yet, that's why I'm thinking on getting the oil temp gage, mainly to replace the stupid "air" temp gage. So if it's easy enough for me to install it, I just may buy it, but if I have to have a dealer install it - that's more then I want to spend.

I didn't like the oil level part of the dipstick. It kept saying oil level too high when I only had 3 to 4 quarts in it.

 

[screwball]

GARYD

I think I remember they did, it's been a while. The most time consuming part of the job was removing the faring. The hardest was the little, teeny weeny nuts on the gage hold down, I've got fat fingers.

Again, forgive the bad memory, but as I recall there was a NOTICE on the instructions about the bungs on the oil pan. I think there are more than 1 and they are specific about which one to use, something about the threads being different. Old age screws with your memory too.

 

[Lakeman]

GARYD on your bike the oil level should be checked with the bike on the kickstand, not straight up like a trike. When checked straight up it will read high oil, this is normal.

 

[Lakeman]

The reason HD says the chrome bezel will not fit is that the black bezel on the oil temp gauge is not as deep as the bezel on the other gauge. The bezel will not bottom out and stick. I just used a little silicone