Oil temp study

[csrc]

Hey all ! Ok my 80g runs perfect and has surefooted handling thanks to repairs and upgrades recommended by knowledgeable members here. So maybe I can give something back. I just purchased a OEM oil cooler off ebay, so the plan is to post before and after results of oil temps under same conditions out on the road. I'm located out here in the desert in Salton City CA and summer just started, 100 F everyday for next 4 mons. Why did Yamaha wait until 1981 before installing oil coolers instead of being an option... Let's find out !
It will be a couple more weeks before all oil cooler components will get here as I had to buy cooler bracket from Germany and cooler plate union bolt from Australia. In the mean time I need a way to monitor oil temps. Still trying to source oil fill cap/temp gauge or possibly scending unit in place of oil pressure switch with gauge I could mount in my Vetter fairing. Looking for suggestions and options from members for this endeavor, thanks guys

[DEEBS11]

I use one of these to monitor temp. My bike runs 80°C to 100°C (176°F - 212°). With these temps I don't need a cooler. You don't want your temps to go for long periods of time over 250°F - 300°F. In fact, a cooler without a thermostat would be detrimental in the fall and winter months here in New England (although I see it all the time with Harleys). This is why my crankshaft had pits from the previous owner taking short trips in cool weather. Water laid up in the oil for long periods of time and corrosion was the result. You need a good amount of heat (180°F) to burn off that water. Better too hot than too cold.

[DEEBS11]

Another option which I have used is a full VDO gauge + sender. It's not easy to find/fabricate a cup that is waterproof to mount this where you can see it but it is possible. Very accurate.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/331089363470

[DEEBS11]

Not waterproof.

[DEEBS11]

A better sender that does not need to be removed to change your oil would be this item. Drill and tap NPT in your oil pan after removal & cleaning. You would need a new pan gasket for this install.


https://www.ebay.com/itm/17589267799...Bk9SR5rap_7zYw

[DiverRay]

My '78, back in '78, had the factory option oil temp gauge. It was VDO with the sender as the drain plug IIRC, and worked well for the three years I had the bike. I lived in California, just South of San Jose, rode all year, all weather. Yes, you SHOULD have a thermostat on the oil cooler, though my '79 that I'm riding now does not.

[Mathh]

I also had these VDO gauges for oil temp and pressure. All sensors were mounted on a DIY square piece of aluminum adapter which I bolted in place of the stock oil pressure switch with a banjo bolt. I also think it must be possible to find a waterproof spot for the gauge inside the Vetter fairing. When you only need the oil temp sensor you can consider using the the blanked off end of the oil gallery coming from the pressure switch to the left behind the cylinder. You'll probably use an adapter or even better a 90 degree knee. Make them yourself or search ebay for those..

[Radioguylogs]

There was a DIY oil gauge on my Venturer when I bought it:






I removed it.

[csrc]

Wow ! That's an interesting way to tap into oil circuit. That would be a better location than the oil cap gauge tilted up towards rider. You could monitor pressure as well tapped into that port. I can't tell how he had it mounted. where did the banjo bolt go to

[Radioguylogs]

Wow ! That's an interesting way to tap into oil circuit. That would be a better location than the oil cap gauge tilted up towards rider. You could monitor pressure as well tapped into that port. I can't tell how he had it mounted. where did the banjo bolt go to

The original banjo bolt was removed and welded/brazed to attach the 90 degree gauge fitting to it.

The shiny bolt is replacement banjo bolt I purchased.

[csrc]

Ok finally got the JDM screw in cap gauge that DEEBBS recommended yesterday from Germany and just got back from road test. Results from, 25 mile round trip-oil temp- never reached 180F, ,stayed at 160 and would only start climbing toward 180 after idling for 5 minutes, and finally to 180 5 minutes after after shutdown, that was with Castrol GTX high milage synthetic blend 20w50, Ambient temp=95F, humidity=26%, wind=25+mph., Impossible to see gauge while moving but it was after 9:00PM, could probably read in daylight, Finally got the rest of factory oil cooler parts yesterday as well and gonna clean them up and install them and then compare the differences under same conditions however the results at this point of the the study indicates the need for a thermostat install as well, any recommendations ?

[DEEBS11]

Yes the XS11 engine does run pretty cool. I have two sets of oil coolers for my bike but I don't think they are needed especially in the cooler spring/fall weather. However, here is a rare Lockhart thermostat for your set-up.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/15586729350...Bk9SR6bO2q36Yw

[DEEBS11]

Look at the part number of that thermostat. "BP-180". By-pass @ 180°.

Lockhart also made coolers with built in by-pass valves that open at 180°.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/14517150570...Bk9SR7j06676Yw

[csrc]

I like that Lockhart by-pass valve idea in theory but don't want to cut up the original hoses. that would create 4 potential areas to leak especially being old and not compliant enough to seal, Ideally I would have compression type fittings adapted to Lockhart valve at a hose shop but same problem unless they made all new hoses and fittings. Think I'll just run everything stock since I managed to source all factory pieces with the exception of both plates that act as mounting brackets for cooler cover
4R1-13489-00-00 # 20 x2 in the partzilla parts micro-fish 81 xs1100h parts diagram. I could fabricate something but it sure would be cool to have original plates, I don't suppose anybody has a couple they want to let go ? Still don't know why Yamaha started putting on oil coolers as standard equipment in 81 ? based on my results so far considering the desert climate I'm performing the test in, will
take another reading while blasting down the highway during the day when I can actually see the gauge and see if temps are high in those conditions and post results also going to buy another JMP gauge..black one this time to use on my new to me 1990 FJ1200 I just bought which has a factory cooler standard and post results as well as starting another post for that decision,

[DEEBS11]