What handheld infrared do you use and recommend?

 

I've double-checked my oil temp with a meat thermometer and an infrared gauge, the latter reading both at the pan (metal) and the oil itself. The results were within a few degrees of the fairing-mounted gauge. From what I've read the digital dipstick gauge tends to read a bit higher than the fairing gauge, but it is measuring in a different place in the pan and that may make a difference.

 

I've been using this gauge and it seems to be accurate. They claim accuracy of ±4° or 2%.

 

If the traffic is bad enough and you're in it long enough, like what I encountered in New Orleans rush-hour last month, nothing will keep oil temps from climbing into the danger zone. It depends on what you are getting into, but I'm talking about typical summer traffic where you're moving slowly or not at all for short periods, like 10-15 min. duration after the engine is already hot.

I find that oil temps change very slowly, both up and down, and I try to anticipate hot-running conditions before I get to them. If I know I'll be in slow-moving traffic I'll switch to the richer map before I get there and that slows the accent of heat. Head temps, OTOH, change rapidly and you can watch it happen as your speed increases or decreases--but when I flip the switch into a richer map CHT usually just stops or ascends more slowly rather than decrease until you get moving again. IOW it isn't a panacea that will cause oil-temps to suddenly decrease as you sit in traffic, but I consider it an important option to use when needed, as every little bit helps. There really is no fix for heat in slow-moving traffic except possibly a cylinder fan, but I don't really want to go that route for several reasons. I'm not convinced they are reliable or durable and are expensive. I would consider mounting a small MC radiator fan inside the horn, but haven't figured out a way to mount it with my air horns.

Also, adding fans to the oil cooler helps decrease the rate of ascent too, as I've tried this on two occasions but didn't find a good solution either time. I might try it again if I could find some waterproof fans that I knew would last a while and be able to handle the constant heat. So far I haven't found any, and waterproof fans small enough for that area are expensive.

 

The oil cooler should be helping, but it isn't a panacea, and are less-efficient as the speed decreases. You might consider adding some mid-frame heat deflectors like those that HD, Kuryakyn, and others sell. I have the HD model and they help keep hot air off my legs.

 

Thanks. l'll go get one after work.

 

My #4 bro rode my '07 Road King Classic to AZ on our roadtrip the last couple of weeks. We had a hi-90's afternoon and rode up South Mountain for a view of the greater Phoenix area. Due to the winding road, we were seldom out of 2nd gear. At the top, I went over and pushed the display button on the LCD dipstick...279 degrees! And it has a HD Oil Cooler installed. Glad I was running M1VT in it!