When is HOT too HOT

[RustyG]

Just curious. Recently installed a 103" big bore and was curious as to what temperatures I should be expecting. Here in Florida it gets real hot and the temperature gauge approaches 230° at times when sitting at a light.

How hot can the engine oil get before it breaks down etc?
My temp gauge is one that replaces the Dip Stick. Temp is read directly from the dip stick.

[ampster]

250 conv

300 syn

[vindex1963]

230 is nothing.

[boscoe]

We routinely turn off our WATER COOLED (engine ice) race bikes if we are idling while waiting to enter the track and the temp its 210

[numbnuts]

synthetic oil that can take high temps seems to make sense on air cooled motors IMO.
Sure it cost a little more but leave it in twice as long.
You'll be golden.

[Blaze/Arizona]

AMSOIL 300 + or -

[RustyG]

Good news guys. I plan on converting to Mobil-1 V-Twin on next change. Also install an Oil Cooler to keep temperatures low. Don't want to burn up my new engine.

[DueceDog]

I'm running the MO V-Twin. Temps in our area have been in the high 90's for a couple of weeks now. I was out yesterday at a PGR mission that included a long slow ride from the church to a hall. We had to stop several times to allow the procession to stay together, (we were at the head of the procession).

The oil temp on my bike stayed right at 220 when standing still and dropped to 200 when moving (under 20 mph).

My normal work commute includes 18 miles of hiway (75mph) then 2 miles of under 40mph riding. When I pull into my driveway, the oil temp is usually around 220*.

Hope that helps you feel more comfortable about your oil temp.

[Jonny_Cannon]

My understanding is air-cooled is better than liquid-cooled, since the liquids will shut down. I completed a ride from Ontario, Canada, to California this summer. Went down and back in 8 days. 10,000 km's. Went through the south, and came back along US70. Stopped at the Painted Desert, Grand Canyon, Valley of Fire, Mojave Desert, and Arches National Park. I did it during the heatwave. The hottest it got on my Dakota Digital air temp gauge while driving was 116F. 14 to 16 hours in the saddle all day. I run Amsoil. Bike ran just fine. Bit of a noticeable drop in power at some of the hotter periods, but she chugged along fine. Stock 96" motor, Stage 1, cams, 2-1 exhaust.

Cannon

[WEINERDOGBONE]

I actually had a HD engineer tell me that you couldn't melt one of the HD engines in normal use period. He said that you wouldn't be able to sit anywhere near the engine before it would reach meltdown temps.

I guess if you're still riding the bike and haven't burst into flames you're good according to him.