a recommendation please : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

rickr01 · 05-10-2007, 07:11 AM

Last night after a great ride I entered my garage after dark, and as I usually do I take a quick once over to make sure all at least visually, appears well.

It was then that I noticed a puddle forming under the bike and that there was oil or another liquid sprayed all over the exhaust etc. Well it turns out that the little rubber plug on my liquid filled Harley oil pressure gauge was gone and all the liquid inside was pooled up on the floor and all over the hot exhaust and engine. This is the third such problem I have had with the liquid filled Harley gauge. The two other times the faces leaked. Do you know how much friggen fluid is in one of those things? I was amazed at the puddle size for such a small gauge.
Anyway long story short I am going to overnight order a new gauge aftermarket. No more Harley gauge. I am contemplating a non oil filled gauge with a so called dampened movement instead of oil. I have been told they will bounce all over by some but others say they do not do that anymore they are dampened as it indicates in the specs. My rubber mount motor dances pretty good. Anybody have a non oil filled gauge that they are happy with. Any and all recommendations appreciated. I need to get an order in before 10:30 am eastern to get it overnighted. I want to ride This weekend so I need the overnight order. Also does anyone know if once that plug comes out does oil from the engine start coming out of that hole also or is that area separated from the engine side? It seems like so much fluid for such a small gauge! This gauge is mounted low on the engine off a 45.

Thanks

rickr01 · 05-10-2007, 08:27 AM

No remmendations? Well, I just ordered an Autometer non liquid filled to try. If it doesn't do the job I'll go back to a non Harley liquid filled.

Fatb0y · 05-10-2007, 08:28 AM

I have an oil filled gauge but it works flawlessly. I got one that goes to 100psi from Drag that fits in the Arlen Ness bracket. I think if you stay away from the HD gauge and get a good gauge from another company you should be fine.

tireater · 05-10-2007, 08:33 AM

They fill gauges with glycerine (clear) - not motor oil.
Non filled gauge will work but bounce a little - should not be a problem...

steveusmc · 05-10-2007, 08:36 AM

I would recommend replacing the gage with a nice chrome topped dipstick and being done with it. I would bet good money that you will never have a temp problem. Good oil + regular schedule of changes = many trouble-free miles. Heck, I'd probably ride of into the bushes if I tried to look at an oil temp gage while riding. If you ride in long parades in the summer then you may get too hot...but your motor will sure let you know that. (personal experience) Anyway...just a suggestion.

I'd sure like to cruise down some of your roads in Vermont about now. Must be beautiful up there..with all the flowers and trees budding and blooming.

OLuminous1 · 05-10-2007, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steveusmc

I would recommend replacing the gage with a nice chrome topped dipstick and being done with it. I would bet good money that you will never have a temp problem. Good oil + regular schedule of changes = many trouble-free miles. Heck, I'd probably ride of into the bushes if I tried to look at an oil temp gage while riding. If you ride in long parades in the summer then you may get too hot...but your motor will sure let you know that. (personal experience) Anyway...just a suggestion.

I'd sure like to cruise down some of your roads in Vermont about now. Must be beautiful up there..with all the flowers and trees budding and blooming.

I'll second everything you just said - except "bushes". Here it's called "puckerbrush", especially when you didn't intend to go there.

rickr01 · 05-10-2007, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tireater

They fill gauges with glycerine (clear) - not motor oil.
Non filled gauge will work but bounce a little - should not be a problem...

Quality wise will it be as good in your opinion if it is a quality company such as auto meter? How much will it bounce? Isn't the engine oil separate from the gauge face oil? The engine oil cannot leak out if you lose that plug can it? Oh and it is the oil pressure gauge not a temperature gauge I am refering to. I don't have oil temp problems. I have considered removing the oil pressure gauge and chucking it but gauges and fast bikes...you know!

Thanks Man!

tireater · 05-10-2007, 09:01 AM

If you "blew" up the gauge it could. There is a sealed tube on the inside of the gauge...
If it was overpressurized - a hole will form in the tube and you can lose ALL your oil...
But remember - gauge oil is clear...if you are cleaning up motor oil off the floor - that gauge is "blown"...
Non filled gauges vibrate but are readable - they can blow up too and dump your oil...
Sounds like you may have too much pressure - I just don't know why...

rickr01 · 05-10-2007, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tireater

If you "blew" up the gauge it could. There is a sealed tube on the inside of the gauge...
If it was overpressurized - a hole will form in the tube and you can lose ALL your oil...
But remember - gauge oil is clear...if you are cleaning up motor oil off the floor - that gauge is "blown"...
Non filled gauges vibrate but are readable - they can blow up too and dump your oil...
Sounds like you may have too much pressure - I just don't know why...

No this was crystal clear. It just seems like an awful lot of oil for a small gauge? I intended to check the oil last night after the engine cooled down but ended up side tracked. I will check it tonight! That rubber stopper Harley puts on of all places the bottom of the gauge was gone. I am sure it is not an oil pressure High or low problem unless it developed in the last 20 minutes of the ride. Since the majority of the liquid is on my garage floor it must have happened as I pulled in and shut her down.

tireater · 05-10-2007, 09:50 AM

Sounds like you already solved the problem - start thinking about riding it...

rickr01 · 05-10-2007, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tireater

Sounds like you already solved the problem - start thinking about riding it...

I eat up tires for breakfast!!! hheheheheheeee

thanks for the advice!

tireater · 05-10-2007, 11:05 AM

Had the same problem with tires...found a place on e bay where I get cheap bagger tires...
Found a guy selling Mich. Pilot soft track tires for $70 delievered - got 6 for $420 Hmmmmm for St Bob...
Found a shop that will put them on for $15 and I no longer pay more for back tires than I do for fuel...
SO I KNOW WHAT YOU MEAN...! I ALWAYS DRIVE AS FAST AS PRUDENT...
PS Soft track tires sling gravel like crazy and reduce tail gaiting...!