[JonM109R]

Hey guys, I am trying to figure out how to put a coolant temperature gauge on my bike, it seems to run pretty hot and I would like to know what temperature it's running at for peace of mind.
My idea is just to buy a digital coolant temperature gauge, and install it below the gas cap as some guys do with the Gi-Pro.

Now to get the temp sender in the engine I would disconnect all the hoses and drill/tap the tee connector that connects all the hoses together. From what I understand water wont flow through this and start reading until the thermostat opens, is this correct? If anyone else has other opinions please chime in, if the tee is not large enough or I can't tap, my backup is to get a cast coupler, drill and tap it, then cut a hose and clamp the ends.
Anyone have any recommendations?

 

[Cole99]

I"ve been wanting to do the same thing.......Ill be watching this thread for sure!op:

 

[V42A9]

To get a true reading of the temp, you need to install the sending unit before the thermostat to get the temp before the thermostat opens and near the head which is the hottest spot.

 

[JonM109R]

Cool, thank you. I'll use the coupler and put it right before the thermostat.

Now I just need to find a gauge that is small/thin enough to put below the oil cap.

 

[Screamnyellozonker]

Don't forget if your using an electronic gage you need to have a ground for the sensor to work.

 

[Guest]

If you use a calabrateble digital gadge you can use the existing temp sensor. Just tap into the sensor wires and calibrate it to use the voltage range specified in the service manual for normal operation. The onboard computer monitors this sensor and turns on the idiot light only when it exceeds a specified value. But the sensor can give a voltage range that will work a gadge. You just tap the output from the sensor without interupting the signal to the ECM run it to you gadge input and then to ground. A calibrateble gadge will have an adjustable pot to atenuate the input for acuracy. You can use a laser temp gadge to provide the baseline to adjust to. Or you can use the temperature VS resistance table in the service manual pg 5-49. to match the gadge reading to the sensor resistance reading on a DVM.

 

[MAXWELL6]

TEMP GAUGE

what is normal operating temp for the 9.:dontknow:

 

[scotty109]

dont need one, the red light comes on when you have heating problems.

And if you got a guage you will always be looking at it , and wondering.

 

[enviroser]

dont need one, the red light comes on when you have heating problems.

And if you got a guage you will always be looking at it , and wondering.

I tend to agree amd no body needs the distraction.....one always wonders although it may be a good idea to have one, it is one less thing to worry about

 

[JonM109R]

i live in Dallas/Ft Worth, TX, their is a ton of traffic and gets really hot (100+) during the summer, so this is just for peice of mind, I would like to know I need to get out of the stop and go traffic before the idiot light comes on

Anyone have a recommendation on guages?

 

[STL-TIGER]

Just think if you rode a Harley! The red light would be on all the time and you would have to shut down the bike at each intersection or traffic jams. Ha Ha Ha :joke:

 

[Rusty]

dont need one, the red light comes on when you have heating problems.

And if you got a guage you will always be looking at it , and wondering.

That's how I feel about the speedometer too but it's on the bike.

 

[Guest]

i live in Dallas/Ft Worth, TX, their is a ton of traffic and gets really hot (100+) during the summer, so this is just for peice of mind, I would like to know I need to get out of the stop and go traffic before the idiot light comes on

Anyone have a recommendation on guages?

That's not likely to happen. The bike is designed to handle that in stock form. That's what the fan is for. The light is supposed to come on well before it get's hot ehough to hurt the engine so that you can get it cooled down before there is damage. Your time and money would be better spent on making sure you maintain those systems so that they will continue to work properly.

But hey I like nice gadgets, gadges and doodads too.

 

[JonM109R]

I understand it's highly unlikey, but I want a temp gauge, and thats good enough for me. I know it may not be 'needed' but the bigger front/rear tires, chrome & custom paint job, weren't 'needed' either. :doorag:

I'll take pictures of the installation and post picture as I do the install.

 

[big69]

I understand it's highly unlikey, but I want a temp gauge, and thats good enough for me. I know it may not be 'needed' but the bigger front/rear tires, chrome & custom paint job, weren't 'needed' either. :doorag:

I'll take pictures of the installation and post picture as I do the install.

DLP has one for the oil check the manual if it give a temp the bik operates at that gauge should be close.

 

[Rusty]

I understand it's highly unlikey, but I want a temp gauge, and thats good enough for me. I know it may not be 'needed' but the bigger front/rear tires, chrome & custom paint job, weren't 'needed' either. :doorag:

I'll take pictures of the installation and post picture as I do the install.

I fully agree. I thought we were supposed to be able to mod our own bikes without having to ok it with everyone else? :dontknow:

 

[scotty109]

Bit like the oil temp dip stick, always wanted one so i got one, now im forever looking at it. so if you hear i layed it down left side you know what happened.

something like this would be ok

 

[JonM109R]

scotty I decide to use the GlowShift red digital temp gauge, they claim its only 1" thick which would work perfect.

 

[scotty109]

scotty I decide to use the GlowShift red digital temp gauge, they claim its only 1" thick which would work perfect.

slap up a how to when you get one might be tempted to get one myself.:bigthumbsup:

 

[Rusty]

slap up a how to when you get one might be tempted to get one myself.:bigthumbsup:

Why would you do that? You don't need one. hehehehh Yes please do pics and install instructions. Scotty, just giving you crap.