Keeping an Ultra Classic Cool

7950 Views 13 Replies 5 Participants Last post by HarleyJoel, Jun 5, 2002

HarleyJoel

Discussion Starter · May 13, 2002

Does anyone know the best way to keep an engine from overheating? I own a 2001 FLHTCUI and usually get stuck in summer shore "stop-n-go" traffic. I called the local dealership to ask about the cooling fan and he suggested an oil cooler first. I cant see how an oil cooler will help keep the oil temp down when the bike isn't moving! Can anyone tell me if the engine cooling fan keeps the engine from overheating in summer traffic jams? Thanks

Save

1 - 14 of 14 Posts

HIPPO

· #2 · May 14, 2002

This may not be the exact answer you are looking for, but FWIW the fans were designed specifically for that application though in practice they have any number of issues, from breaking mounting brackets to squealing noises, not to mention they are butt ugly, and it's easy to see why a dealer does not want to deal with them.

Around here it gets up to 120F in summer and we go the other way. The most important factor as far as overheating is the state of tune of the engine, and stock EFI bikes (Marelli ones in particular) run ridiculously lean as they come from the factory. The next thing is to run a good quality synthetic oil. Using a black oil filter instead of the chromed one is good for about 5F, and a oil cooler will dissipate some heat thru radiation even at standstill in particular if it is black and has no chrome covers. It also increases oil volume so it tends to act as a damper between temperature peaks.

I'm not much a friend of oil coolers on rubbermount bikes so I don't run one, and have little problem in extreme temperatures just with proper tuning of the bike and Synthetic lubes. Other then this there is no magic bullet, just a bunch of little things you can do to gain a few degrees here and a few there. They do however add up.

See less See more

Save

Rustler

· #3 · May 14, 2002

Originally posted by HarleyJoel
Does anyone know the best way to keep an engine from overheating? I own a 2001 FLHTCUI and usually get stuck in summer shore "stop-n-go" traffic. I called the local dealership to ask about the cooling fan and he suggested an oil cooler first. I cant see how an oil cooler will help keep the oil temp down when the bike isn't moving! Can anyone tell me if the engine cooling fan keeps the engine from overheating in summer traffic jams? Thanks

Another option "after" you have an oil cooler (HD type anyway) is to get two computer CPU cooling fans from your local puter parts house, place them on the cooler so they blow air through the cooling fins, put them on a switch, turn them on when on 'parade duty' - I have a pic somewhere of this set up - very nice and clean and it works. Of ocurse if you have the chrome cover this will not work.

I agree with Hippo - HD fan is butt ugly and noisy

Save

HIPPO

· #4 · May 14, 2002

If you have to have a cooler, THIS type of cooler might work better at low speeds, but have no personal experience with them.

Save

Rustler

· #5 · May 14, 2002

Yea I've seen it and others similiar. I like the larger heat fins but still I have this thing about hanging something off the downtubes - just looks - I don't know - I personally just don't like the look. Forget who makes it but someone is making an oil cooler that follows the downtubes - both of them kind of in front of the frame - doesn't look bad - of course they don't fit if you have a crash bar (at least the ones I've seen pics of)- poser points I guess.

Same thing for air-horns - they just look weird to me so I went out and got dual note electric 118 db horns - one fits in the cowbell and the other behind the fairing. Extra wire and tada - noise - and for less tha 40.00!

I guess that's why I like the HD oil cooler - it is unnoticable unless you draw attention to it via a chrome cover.

to each his own, ride safe on the upcoming trip.

Save

Sidewalk

· #6 · May 14, 2002

I was going to suggest the CPU fan, but well, I was beat. So, I have to top it now

You can buy a thermostatic switch from most parts places that will automatically control the fan. That way you just get on and ride. If you hit traffic, just let it do its own thing and you worry about more important issues. If I ever feel the need (my area isn't too hot), then that is what I will do.

Save

HIPPO

· #7 · May 15, 2002

Thanks Rustler, should turn out to be a great trip in no small part because all sorts of stuff keeps popping up before we get rolling.

Save

HarleyJoel

Discussion Starter · #8 · May 15, 2002

Thank you for all the replies and suggestions. I think I will try the oil cooler at first and if I have to, put a CPU fan down there. I think I should be alright with just the cooler and the black filter being I always run Amsoil synthetic oil. If anyone has the picture of the oil cooler/fan setup, I'd like to see it. Thanks

Save

Rustler

· #9 · May 16, 2002

HarleyJoel said:
Thank you for all the replies and suggestions. I think I will try the oil cooler at first and if I have to, put a CPU fan down there. I think I should be alright with just the cooler and the black filter being I always run Amsoil synthetic oil. If anyone has the picture of the oil cooler/fan setup, I'd like to see it. Thanks

Try this www.geocities.com/~tex_rustler/oc-fans.html

Save

HarleyJoel

Discussion Starter · #10 · May 16, 2002

Thanks Rustler -This fan/cooler setup definately looks like what I'm interested in doing. I wonder why no one has sold this sort of setup in the aftermarket?

Save

Rustler

· #11 · May 16, 2002

HarleyJoel said:
Thanks Rustler -This fan/cooler setup definately looks like what I'm interested in doing. I wonder why no one has sold this sort of setup in the aftermarket?

Well there is your next million dollars - go for it - it wasn't my idea originally - can't remember who did it to start with but it's been out there awhile.

lets see a plate with spring clips to hold it to the cooler, and two tabs to go over the cooler mounting bolts, a little wire, maybe a thermostadt if you really want to do it right. I'll go easy and only take a 10% finders fee -ROFLMAO

Save

Kampnnut

· #12 · May 31, 2002

Keeping it cooler

I had a 2002 sportster and ran an oil cooler on it. Before the cooler, the oil temp ran 250+ in stop and go traffic. After the cooler it never got over 200. I have an ultra-glice classic now and my oil cooler is on order. I plan on running Amsoil after the 1000 mile service. I think Amsoil has filters for our bikes too. I run it in everything I have. Even my lawn mower.

Save

HarleyJoel

Discussion Starter · #13 · May 31, 2002

I just bought a oil temperature guage to see what we have to start with.. I may not need the cooler at all - it's usually cooler here at the shore and I just switched to the black filter along with synthetic oil (as I always run) so maybe that'll be enough.

Save

HarleyJoel

Discussion Starter · #14 · Jun 5, 2002

OK scratch that! I'm going out for the oil cooler now! Sunday June 2nd got caught in heavy shore traffic after a forest fire shut down the Parkway here. I had to shut her down several times cause she was so hot! Glad I had the synthetic stuff in there and wished I had set the cooler set-up. It took me two-and-a-half hours to go what normally would have been fifteen minutes!!

Save

1 - 14 of 14 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.

Top Contributors this Month