Oil cooler thermostat

[James England]

If anyone is interested in fitting an oil cooler thermostat for faster engine warm up and more stable operating temperature, please let me know and I'll post here how I did it, with great results, on my XJR1300. The cooler is very similar to the XS1100 and probably based on it.

[natemoen]

I would like to know. I have sort of thought of ways to do it.

[James England]

Mocal oil thermostat.

Cut the hard pipes short from the sump and bend them behind the front frame member, just below it.



Use plain rubber oil pipe and wrap with heat reflecting tape just to be on the safe side. The top pipes are cut, leaving a stub to go into rubber oil pipe which then fits onto the thermostat stubs.. The lower rubber pipes go between the front frame crossmember and the engine mounting rod.



Modify the OEM pipe clamp by using a long Allen bolt and small metal clamp..this one is a piece of titanium. The oil thermostat is supposed to be self.-supporting but this clamp makes it more secure



Thermostat is set well back, away from headers







The engine reaches 180F in 6 miles, instead of approx 20 miles without the mod. The temperature remains stable at 180F, regardless of weather conditions. No leaks, faster warmup. The radiator kicks in at 189F every time without fail.

[BA80]

Not trying to be a PITA but WHY do y'all want to add MORE things that could go wrong?

I have a Kirker oil cooler for my SG but it's on the shelf in my garage. It won't fit where it was since I put the fairing on.

the only difference I've noticed is the bike ran a LITTLE cooler in town but I've seen no change in performance since I removed it. I plan to eventually reinstall it simply because with an air cooled engine, the more you can cool (obviously) the cooler it'll run.

Basically what I'm saying is....why over complicate a simple function? You see how well that works in government.

[natemoen]

Not trying to be a PITA but WHY do y'all want to add MORE things that could go wrong?

If it ain't broke, modify it!

[James England]

Not trying to be a PITA but WHY do y'all want to add MORE things that could go wrong?

I have a Kirker oil cooler for my SG but it's on the shelf in my garage. It won't fit where it was since I put the fairing on.

the only difference I've noticed is the bike ran a LITTLE cooler in town but I've seen no change in performance since I removed it. I plan to eventually reinstall it simply because with an air cooled engine, the more you can cool (obviously) the cooler it'll run.

Basically what I'm saying is....why over complicate a simple function? You see how well that works in government.

Yes, I get your point when applied to government admin. But, applied to motorbike design it would have stopped any innovation re disc brakes, camshafts, telescopic forks, shaft drives, CV carbs etc etc. Everything was ok before, so why change it? (Sounds like publicity for HD). I think it's about risks and rewards. Modern car ECUs are more complicated than points ignition etc etc. but there are huge benefits, especially in fuel economy. Yes, it's slightly complicating things but there are benefits. The philosophy you mentioned can stop innovation and improvements because they could all be perceived as 'complicating' things.

Most engine wear occurs when the oil is cold, especially at the top end. Moisture contamination of oil occurs when the temperature stays too low. Slow warm up and fluctuating oil temperatures ( and therefore mechanical components) are not good.

This mod. is not actually complicated. It's a wax thermostat, found in very car on the planet. They are reliable and relatively foolproof. The risk of oil leaks is virtually nil by using correct diameter pipes and decent clips. Risk of heat damage is eliminated by heat reflecting tape (unnecessarily, I think) and siting the pipes and stat well back from the headers. It really is not much of a risk.

My bike reaches a stable operating temperature of 180F in a third of the time, as shown by an accurate temp gauge. The oil burns off moisture in the oil very quickly, as shown by emulsified oil disappearing rapidly from the clutch casing window...which it didn't before. The oil temp remains constant, regardless of bike speed and air flow through the radiator. There will be less engine wear. I think it's worth the 'complication', I really do.

The danger of the philosophy of not complicating things is that it stifles innovation and development and can kill good ideas and improvements, IMO.

[BA80]

Well, these poor under developed engines have lasted 35 years as they are, being abused and neglected. I 've seen much more modern equipment with all the bells and whistles only go a few years.

Do as you will, I'll carry tools to help out those that break down.

[James England]

Well, these poor under developed engines have lasted 35 years as they are, being abused and neglected. I 've seen much more modern equipment with all the bells and whistles only go a few years.

Do as you will, I'll carry tools to help out those that break down.

Nah, there won't be a breakdown.

[crazy steve]

Well, I'll say that I semi-agree with Greg (who needs more 'stuff'?) but understand where James is coming from. Actually, this would probably offer more benefit on a air-cooled bike versus a water-cooled one. One of the 'issues' with an air-cooled motor is the relatively poor temperature control in terms of the differences between the 'ideal' temp and what you may have for actual. But given the proven near-bullet-proof nature of the XS motor, any gains in longevity or performance would be hard to notice...