|
|
|
Junior Member
 
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 3/9/2010 1:52:17 PM
Posts: 143,
Visits: 367
|
|
Cleverboy is correct. My goal in using an oil cooler, is to lower the average oil temperature, throughout the system, to extend the life of the oil, and the engine. My bike has a reputation for the engine lasting 70k+ miles (currently have ~20k miles on it), but I would like to extend it further (not worth investing a lot of money to overhaul it due to age and parts availability/cost -- a 1979 bike). My educated guess is that an oil cooler, with a thermostat, will do the job. However, I have no information as to how long an oil cooler will extend the life of the engine.
I appreciate the input from everyone. It helps to understand the overall issues, and how to interpret the results (especially the temperature readings from the various locations all being different). Cheers!
|
|
|
|
|
Junior Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 8:38:30 AM
Posts: 445,
Visits: 703
|
|
| I am perplexed as to how the oil temp at rcneilsen's filter could be 50 degrees higher than the sump. The oil from the sump would be pumped directly to the filter before travelling through the rest of the engine. Unless the location of the sump versus the drain location is the main factor.
|
|
|
|
|
Senior Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 10:58:36 AM
Posts: 1,060,
Visits: 604
|
|
hallowedcontactpatch (2/1/2010)
I am perplexed as to how the oil temp at rcneilsen's filter could be 50 degrees higher than the sump. The oil from the sump would be pumped directly to the filter before travelling through the rest of the engine. Unless the location of the sump versus the drain location is the main factor. My guess would be the cooling of the finned sump itself, and how the sensor was mounted in the drain plug...it may have been better at picking up the temp of the aluminum sump itself, than the oil in it.
Minivans. Why is it ALWAYS the minivans?
|
|
|
|
|
Advanced Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 8:33:13 PM
Posts: 2,365,
Visits: 5,805
|
|
sgtslag (2/1/2010)[hr ... My bike has a reputation for the engine lasting 70k+ miles (currently have ~20k miles on it), ... What part of the engine wears out at 70k miles? Aftermarket pistons and rings are not cheap but are readily available. A good machine shop will bore the cylinders for not a lot of money. If the valves are not tulpiped or seats sunk, a hand lapping will bring them up to snuff. If the valves are tuliped , it is a good time to upgrade to modern metals. Aftermarket valves and seats should be available. That info could be sourced from owners groups. A good chunk of change can be saved if you are willing to do the disassembly and reassembly yourself. Its a great bike and fairly easy to DYI in that capacity. Be grateful that you have such a nice usable bike from the era. HD owners from the era usually have to freshen the top end at 25-35k miles and the bottom end at 50k miles.
nobody rides half as well as they know how.
|
|
|
|
|
Junior Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 3/9/2010 1:52:17 PM
Posts: 143,
Visits: 367
|
|
Thanks, Ibrafan. I love my bike. I could save up, and get something newer, but I really love the style, size, etc. I've got it close to fitted out to what I want (accessories, doo-dad's, etc.), as well. I am currently studying the motorcycle mechanic textbook, and I do light mechanic work myself. I just don't have the tools, or the expertise, to do an engine tear-down. Unfortunately, serious engine work would have to be done by a shop.
As far as what wears out at 70k, I don't really know (cam chain, piston rings, valves?). I am very proactive at maintenance, and I plan on changing the oil more frequently, even with an oil cooler, to lengthen the longevity. My bike is not for collecting, it is for riding (1,935 mile tour around Lake Superior last Summer, plus weekend day trips of 200-300 miles many weekends), but I still take as good a care of it as I can. Time will tell all. Cheers!
|
|
|
|
|
Advanced Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 8:33:13 PM
Posts: 2,365,
Visits: 5,805
|
|
sgtslag (2/2/2010)
Thanks, Ibrafan. I love my bike. ... ! That is a nice bike as I have said. If you have a co-rider or passenger with you on that bike at times, I think Shortinseam will want to know about it. PM her in her "Couples" thread.
nobody rides half as well as they know how.
|
|
|
|
|
Junior Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 3/9/2010 1:52:17 PM
Posts: 143,
Visits: 367
|
|
I did let her know... She is writing for Kawasaki, so my classic Honda puts my wife and I out of the running for the article. 
|
|
|
|
|
Advanced Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 8:33:13 PM
Posts: 2,365,
Visits: 5,805
|
|
sgtslag (2/2/2010)
I did let her know... She is writing for Kawasaki, so my classic Honda puts my wife and I out of the running for the article. Ok. I re-read the thread. Although there is no reason for it, I somehow got the idea that you had a Kaw Z-1. And so it goes... 750 Hondas are even easier to work on than the Z-1. And there are a lot of guys in speed shops with lots of experience with them to this day. Maybe, shortinseam will use us for background, resource, and generic material?
nobody rides half as well as they know how.
|
|
|
|
|
Junior Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 2/13/2010 8:20:06 AM
Posts: 178,
Visits: 44
|
|
| I am getting ready to install a Bergmen spin-on oil filter conversion kit on my '03 ZRX. I figure I will get some added cooling of the oil since the filter will be outside the engine sump area and will have access to some free flowing air. Since the ZRX is water cooled I have never worried much about the oil temperature other than curiosity. I have used since the engine was broken in Amsoil or Mobil MX4T synthetic or whatever it is called now. 3,000 miles max between changes. I have wondered if an oil cooler would be beneficial. It would have to be temperature regulated for sure since these synthetic oils maintain their viscosity much better than dino oil. From what I have read, most engines discussed were air cooled and they surely need help in cooling. My '85 Nighthawk was built with a cooler and I am sure it has kept the engine in better shape. Does anyone have any water cooled engine data with oil coolers? Ben Kirk
Ben Kirk
rnrkeeper
'72 CL450/'73 CB450
'85 CB650SC
'03 ZRX1200R
|
|
|
|
|
Junior Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 2/13/2010 8:20:06 AM
Posts: 178,
Visits: 44
|
|
| I am getting ready to install a Bergmen spin-on oil filter conversion kit on my '03 ZRX. I figure I will get some added cooling of the oil since the filter will be outside the engine sump area and will have access to some free flowing air. Since the ZRX is water cooled I have never worried much about the oil temperature other than curiosity. I have used since the engine was broken in Amsoil or Mobil MX4T synthetic or whatever it is called now. 3,000 miles max between changes. I have wondered if an oil cooler would be beneficial. It would have to be temperature regulated for sure since these synthetic oils maintain their viscosity much better than dino oil. From what I have read, most engines discussed were air cooled and they surely need help in cooling. My '85 Nighthawk was built with a cooler and I am sure it has kept the engine in better shape. Does anyone have any water cooled engine data with oil coolers? Ben Kirk
Ben Kirk
rnrkeeper
'72 CL450/'73 CB450
'85 CB650SC
'03 ZRX1200R
|
|
|
|