What would you prefer: oil Temperature or Pressure

Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2015 7:36 pm

After driving with my Honda fairing on my 900Fd I have decided to rebuild the bike to the naked version.
However one of the benefits of the fairing was the fact that there was plenty off space for extra gauges; volt; time and oil temperature where on mine.

Now I only have space for one extra gauge (between Mickey’s ears) and I have to choose between Oil Temperature and Oil pressure. I have got both gauges so that doesn’t make a difference.
However I’m not clear about which of the two is the most important one. I personally think Temperature because there is already a oil pressure light.
I’m curious what my fellow forum members think about this question

CB1100F Joined: Jun 18, 2006 Posts: 2527 Location: UK

An oil light switch only shows you have enough pressure to turn the light out as the switch only switches at 20 psi or so, so an oil pressure gauge will give you a true indication of the condition of the lubrication system

An oil temperature gauge will show you how hot its getting, my 1100RC runs at 90-100 deg C in normal use and can reach over 130 deg C in traffic

Maybe Honda fitted the oil temp gauge to the RC/D to show when the oil was to temp for competition use to show the Oil was hot enough to give the engine some hard use

Keith

Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2015 9:48 pm

Go with an oil temp dipstick.

Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2015 9:57 pm

Gauge, particularly in your location. I don’t see the Netherlands ever reach temps like the southern US or the Land of OZ outback.

Beside as somebody said the light only tell you have very little oil pressure maybe enough for idle but 21psi (if 20 is the trigger) at WOT is not going to be much help in keeping your power plant in one piece.

david

Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2015 11:05 pm

Get both if you want them but I don't know how it will do in a motorcycle environment

http://www.innovatemotorsports.com/products/MTXD.php#3852

Posted: Tue Nov 24, 2015 12:14 am

If you can have only one gauge and you have a pressure light, definitely go with an oil temperature gauge. Oil temperature fluctuation is one of the most important things to watch in an engine.
Too low or too hot and the oil loses most of its lubrication capabilities.
You will be surprised how long it takes to get your oil to proper operating temp of about 160-180°F
On the high end, a good gauge will give you a warning before temperature will get too high and pressure will then drop to unacceptable levels.
The problem with any decent pressure gauge is, where do you pick up the signal. The most critical point is before the main and rod bearings. How do you that?
Most pick-ups are behind that point.

But...an oil pressure gauge, of course, is sooooo much cooler. It has that performance and racer appearance....

CB1100F Joined: Feb 17, 2009 Posts: 2105 Location: Oz

DOHCRob wrote:

The problem with any decent pressure gauge is, where do you pick up the signal. The most critical point is before the main and rod bearings. How do you that?
Most pick-ups are behind that point.

Tee piece adaptor from the switch mount.

Posted: Tue Nov 24, 2015 1:09 am

In case it helps, I have an oil temperature "gauge" in the form of a single, multi-colored LED. It takes up very little space in an instrument cluster, and its sender replaces the stock oil pan drain plug. Click on the link in my signature to see it.

Posted: Tue Nov 24, 2015 9:25 am

Oil pressure and mechanical gauge only, electric sucks for that. You can actually deduce the oil temp from the pressure..........

CB1100F Joined: Feb 17, 2009 Posts: 2105 Location: Oz

AMC49 wrote:

Oil pressure and mechanical gauge only, electric sucks for that.

It's 2015 not 1975 Laughing

Posted: Tue Nov 24, 2015 2:20 pm

I'm a fan of the Yosh meters;

http://www.cb1100f.net/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=35794

They have the added benefit of a voltmeter and a clock ('cause we all know why a clock is so important on a motorcycle).

Posted: Tue Nov 24, 2015 2:50 pm

DonR wrote:

DOHCRob wrote:

The problem with any decent pressure gauge is, where do you pick up the signal. The most critical point is before the main and rod bearings. How do you that?
Most pick-ups are behind that point.

Tee piece adaptor from the switch mount.

That sender is behind the crank bearings.

CB1100F Joined: Feb 17, 2009 Posts: 2105 Location: Oz

In terms of physical location yes. In terms of reading pressure at the bearings, no.

Posted: Wed Nov 25, 2015 1:50 am

They may have changed things but I have yet to see the electric gauge that can pick up very slight needle quiver that shows when you are running slight bits of air in the system. Mechanical, even the cheapest will show that instantly. Electric ones pretty much average that out.

Posted: Wed Nov 25, 2015 11:50 am

Thanks for all replies so far, I'm considering the following: a mechanical oil pressure gauge somewhere positioned on the engine. An oil temperature gauge between the ears. I found a very nice site with all kind off mechanical oil pressure gauges Histometer

OK, I think the discussion isn't ended yet but I know what way to go!

Posted: Wed Nov 25, 2015 1:06 pm

DonR,
Doesn't your picture show that the sending unit is in just the right place? Isn't it reading the pressure in the passage way just prior to feeding the crank bearings?

CB1100F Joined: Feb 17, 2009 Posts: 2105 Location: Oz

djhurayt wrote:

DonR,
Doesn't your picture show that the sending unit is in just the right place? Isn't it reading the pressure in the passage way just prior to feeding the crank bearings?

Yes, but I think DOHCRob thought it was downstream of the bearings.