I can't help but wonder why all the Buell 1200 Thunderstorm engines have oil coolers, as well as most of the other makes of recent motorcycles with air-cooled engines. Harley-D seems to be the exception, but DOES offer it as an option.

With the newer rubber-mounted EVO engine, maybe the lower vibration will decrease the possibilities for the leaks that one poster mentioned.

Interesting that the oil tank serves as a cooler for the oil. I wonder if anyone has thought of designing an oil tank with shallow external fins to enhance cooling?
Thanks for all the input.

 

yes - worth every penny

 

Thanks, Kdog, it's good to hear it. I just ordered the H-D oil cooler to be installed on my 1200R when it arrives next week. I think I may need to add a crash bar, too, to protect the oil cooler from a drop. It sticks out the side of the front down tubes -- rather vulnerable I think.

Do you run an oil cooler on your bike?

 

Like insurance they're totally worthless right up to the point when you need it. When your oil gets too hot to do it's job where will you be? In traffic at a bike rally or half way across the desert? And will you even know it before it's too late?

 

You might try calling redline oil and speaking to the tech there. They make a 20w60HD synthetic for real hot applications. That might be a cheaper fix.

 

Has anyone ever used one of those finned aluminum collars that slip over the oil filter and did it make any noticable difference?


[IMG]local://upfiles/5991/D2A17BC0C3934B23848B0E26C18937B0.jpg[/IMG]

 

I've owned several Japanese air cooled bikes that came with standard factory oil coolers, CBX, ZR1100, etc.

I've pondered the same question concerning my 2020 Roadster.

 

Oil coolers are beneficial…no doubt about it. I think the HD design is @ss ugly sticking outside of the frame. I could not get past that and would look for an aftermarket solution that offers a better looking integration.

 

I am in phx area (buckeye) moved here in 97 have had 3 air/oil cooled bikes the sportster xl1200c currently 28k milesa roadstar1600 83k when i sold it and a warrior 1700 53k when i sold it, i never had an oil cooler.
i have thought about it BUT i use my pv too monitor the temp in the summer when temp hit 124 the engine temp was 402 in the winter when temp was 80 engine temp was 386 these temps were in stop and go traffic.
I do use either mobil 1 vtwin or shell t6 oil and and an extended oil filter there is no real need for an oil cooler if you change the oil at 3500 miles unless you want the piece of mind BUT in comes with the chance of more parts to leak break and get damaged. Then there is the extra oil that is why i just go with the extended oil filter

 

What's the part number for a 2004 extended oil filter?