XJ Oil cooler

Maybe you guys can helps solve a minor mystery. I have an '82 XJ650RJ that originally came from Ottowa. Being the 'Euro' version, there are only two differences that I know of. The speedo reads in KPH and there is a factory oil cooler.

Ever since I got the bike, I've wondered about the oil cooler. Since US models didn't come with one, I'm curious why the 'Euro' version did. I assume that having one is a good thing and I understand its function. Is it that important? Does the US version suffer in any way for not having one? Would it cause a difference in emissions?

I also have an '83 US model XJ650 Turbo and it also has the factory oil cooler. Did Yamaha eventually start puttng them on all models?

Thanks for the info.

Greg

 

XJ900 has one stock, I don't know about other models. European bikes often got higher spec bits due to the fact that bikes were expected to be run harder and longer than they would be in the US, with its generally lower limits and the fact that a motorcycle is more likely to be a primary mode of transport in Europe. Having said that, I'm sure US riders are as balls-out as any, and considering the heat of an American summer, it seems kind of short sighted. Going out on a limb, perhaps they feared some sort of litigation if a failure of the oil lines or cooler lead to an accident, although it didn't stop them selling the Turbo stateside, with its high pressure oil lines going to the turbo right in fron of the rear tire.

 

Not all models received the coveted oil cooler Greg. It's purpose (copied from my coming book, The World According To Robert) I'm guessing is because the bike (air/oil cooled) would be idling in traffic far more often than it's American counterpart, necessitating a means of additional cooling to make up for the lack of airflow. England is cooler than most of the operating environments here across the pond and is substantially smaller. It stands to reason that there are far fewer places to run regularly there than here (city traffic and so on). Does this make sense, or am I talking out of my bum? Our Brit cousins need to weigh in on this one! Additionally, Mac, I don't think that litigation was in the minds of the manufacturer, far too many machines have them stock in this country for that to hold too much water. Pity they waited until later models to make them stock for issue here (witness the Suzuki Katanna and others). Just another opinion, hope someone out there can provide a definitive answer.

 

Good thoughts. I'm curious if there is any significant difference in performance on bikes with the cooler. Not in terms of speed or HP. I just wonder if the oil cooled bikes are likely to last longer.

Greg

 

I put 115,000 miles on a non-cooler equipped RJ, on oven-like parking lots known as the California freeway system. Bike ran great. I religiously changed the oil at 2500-3000 miles. That being said, I'd love to get my hands on an oil cooler!

Regards,
Furyus

 

yeh me too would love to get an oil cooler for my 85 xj 700, actually dont even know if one can be fitted to that model.

 

Oil cooler is rather important. doubly so onna aircooled engine.. even the earliest VW's had an oilcooler .
Likely the 'omission' of one was an economy move .. seems North Americans (US;-) are V price sensitive... foolishly so in some cases.
Oil accounts for at least 50% of the engine cooling, even on a water cooled engine.
Given that bit of trivia.. just how important do.. you.. think it is ??

There is an Adapter that fits between the Case and the oil filter assembly Best of My knowledge is it can be adapted to ..any... of these Motors in mebe 10 mins.. unscrew the filter housing centre tube/bolt insert the Oil cooler sandwich element , screw the oil filter back on. Best advice would be to find the relevant bits at a Wreckers, and install one on your motor.. as soon as possible

 

Hi All
Totally agree with Danilo, My '82 XJ650RJ (US Import) powered trike didn't have an oil cooler and it ran hot, espescially in traffic. Got one from a friend and fitted it in no time at all and there is an amazing difference in the overall engine temp.

By the way, The bolt that holds the standard oil filter cover on is too short if you are fitting a cooler, so if you do get one make sure you get the centre bolt as well.

Hope that helps
Lea

 

Hi OU

Here´s a couple og pics of my olicooler. The "radiator" is smaller than the one on an Xj900F. It was fitted to the bike, when I bought it but is actually removed at the moment; it was leaking from some pipe-joints and I doubt I´ll refit it. I haven´t had any heat issues (yet) and the engine is of course reaching a comfortable operating temp. quicker without it.

I´ll take some pics af the details tomorrow, basically the adaptor bolts on to the oilfilterhousing frame with a special bolt, which allows the oilfilterbolt to "screw into it" (the pics will explain it).


(OT)About the petcock: Pics are now here:

http://hjem.get2net.dk/xjmaximdk/vedlrep.htm#Benzinhane

 

thanks for the info finn appreciate it.

 

There's no difference in performance with an oil cooler installed but your main bearings are sure to last longer, especially if you ride in hot weather. If I drive at high speeds on the freeway the oil get so hot without the cooler that my oil pressure drips to ZERO!! The hotter the oil gets the lower the pressure goes. That can't be good since the bearings depend on oil pressure for lubrication so I installed a cooler and now the temperature stays down and the pressure stays up where it's supposed to be.

 

Nearly technically correct AZS , but as most oils these days are a 10/40 or whatever you like , the 10 is the minimum thickness [weight] hot , and 40 the max cold supposededly [that too debatable due to quality] , its really the sympton that alloy expands and keeps doing so until it melts , as steels do also but at not as great as steels , so in other words the gaps get bigger which holds the oil pressure in , the hotter the alloy gets as its surrounding the steels eg:crankshaft , camshaft, ect.

using very simplistic words above.

 

Ok - it´s tomorrow now, isn´t it 8)

1: The oilcooler in general: Can´t tell from which model the oilcooler is (but I´m sure it´s not custom-made and I don´t think Yamaha made one as an accessorie for the XJ700N/S Maxim). Maybe a comparison (measures/rows in radiator) with Ebay-items like:

http://cgi.ebay.de/Olkuehleranlage-Yama ... dZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.de/Olkuehleranlage-Yama ... dZViewItem

- or somebody in the forum - can reveal the secret?

 

Same as mine. mines the OEM one.

 

- 2: The bracket on the right mounts to the frame; the angled part to an extended lower bolt of the 2 that joins the detachable framepart on the right side (for taking the engine out) - the other end just grabs around the frametube. The 2 holes in the middle fits with the holes in the mounting plate below the radiator fins..

- the middle bracket was fitted to the horn bracket and has a rubber O-ring, which fits the mounting pin on top of the radiator - allowing it to move

- these 2 brackets look homemade..

The small black bracket holds the 2 oilpipes and is enginemounted to the valvecovers front-middle 2 bolts. (Had a nervewrecking (tiny threads-no torque wrench) helluwa time getting these tight after removing the bracket.. copper washers helped a lot but had to retighten again recently).

- this bracket looks stock-made..

3: The adaptor mounting bolt is seen placed on the middle bracket..

These are the parts + some ordinary bolts/nuts/washers for the brackets..

Le´me know if you need more info

Regards, Finn