Was out on the bike yesterday and just happened to notice that the Oil Pressure Gauge was reading less than half way at about 2000 rpm's. At idle, it shows about 8 PSI. According to the manual, this is within specs, I just think it's weird that the Gauge is calibrated that way.

I know the oil is full, and the Red low pressure light isn't on, so I know there isn't a problem.

Just wondering what you guys with Gauges were showing for pressure?

 

Straight up @ speed and 10 at idle. Seemed low to me also but remember it's a ball bearing engine not babbit like a car so the pressure can be less and still be fine

 

harley motors dont have a lot of oil pressure at idle stock. and only run around 30 psi at speed, so yours is normal for a stock bike. they have improved the oiling system in recent years by increasing the oil pump sized but thats it. I used to set the idle speed at 1000 rpms just to bump the o/p a little more. there is a relief spring that is available thru "baisley" that will increase the pressure all thru the range. cheap too

 

That can vary so much it's hard to say...my bike w 7500 miles on it..

55* cold start... 40+
running at highway speed warm 30 or so....
hot idle...20 or so....by hot I mean 50+ miles on interstate @ 80*f
New Mobil 1 20w/50 maybe a little more...little less w older oil and hotter temps..So my best answer is that it depends..my oil temps running @ 80* tend to be around 180* ( I took out out air temp gauge and put in in oil temp)

 

I had a similar question after I bought my bike a year ago. I happened to be at the dealership, so I went back to the service department and asked a tech. He said that as long as it reads 30-32 PSI while riding, to not be concerned about the idle oil pressure.

 

I questioned this when i bought my 08 Ultra and they service guys there are no B.S. with me all the time and said don't be too shocked if you see very low when the engine is up to temp and you are sitting at adle for a long time. No worries considering what is explained above about bearing types. Pretty hi at start up and pretty low when idleing hot.
Kris

 

I run a feuling pump and cam plate so FWIT: About 55 cold, 35 to 40 hot at speed, 20 to 25 hot idle. All with Mobil 1 20-50 vtwin oil.

 

Thanks everyone for the replies!!

Now that I know it's fairly normal, I can scratch that off of the list of things to wonder about.

I think that Harley should re-design the guage so that 30psi would show on the needle as about 3/4 way up the gauge.

The pressure would be the same, but the "peace of mind factor" would be higher

 

Designed to show straight up at speed so you can just glance it instead of looking closely as to not be distracted

 

Yep! 30-32 at speed. At idle almost ZERO............