Overheating...

Hi guys, just a quick question, how do you tell if your bike is overheating? I have a 550 Maxim. Is there any temp gadgets that I could get?

Thanks, Anthony.

 

My GS1100 has an oil temp gauge. After a good hour of running on a hot day the oil will hit about 260F, with no oil cooler. It stays at that point. I would imagine your bike would operate in much the same temperature zone.

 

Ummm IF yr oil is hitting 260 and assuming yr sender is even remotely adequate.. that's in the Disaster area IMO
Suggest running only Genuine Synthetics (mobil 1 or Delvac) as they can survive those temps.. more than once.

 

You could always try a digital infared temp gun.....

http://www.thermotools.com/diagnostics/MT100.html

 

My neutral light lets me know how warm the bike is. When the bike is up to normal operating temp the light comes on dim and flickers, and when it's up to full hot day temp the light glows steady and bright.

I'm assuming that if the bike overheats the lamp will be so bright it hurts my eyes! :lol:

I have a digital infrared unit but I never get around to measuring the temp of the bike with it. The only time I would worry is when carb sync or other tuning has it idling for extended times, and a large fan and common sense should minimize that danger.

I know that for wood heat you can get a thermostat that sticks to a metal chimney by magnet and measures high temps. Something like that stuck to the engine block would let you check on the temp when you are concerned.

 

ok, just wondering, I use mobil, but there is no light indicator to tell me, and my neutral light is always on, and bright.

 

Your neutral light should only be on when the bike is in neutral.

It should be bright when on.

Anything else is an electrical problem. EDIT: And potentially dangerous as the same switch that controls the light prevents you starting in gear without pulling the clutch.

 

I don't think a magnet mounted thermostate would work on an aluminum block.

 

Maximator:

A flickering, low-intensity Neutral Light means you are probably close to the LIMIT on your Alternator Brushes.

 

Oh yes, it is only on when in neutral lol.

 

It gets rediculously hot after riding home from work (30-40 minutes) on these hot summer days. While the sun's bad, the engine's certainly producing a bit of heat on its own. What's a reasonable heat range for operation? Would an oil-change joint likely have a proper thermometer for a quick read?

 

Thanks guys, I was just joking by mentioning my neutral light. It has been doing this for over 10 years according to the PO. I've recently checked my alternator brushes and they are plenty long. I've also cleaned up all electrical connections and the fuse block (will replace it soon) and currently have no electrical problems.

I suspect my switch has clearance issues that cause it to be engaged as the metal heats and expands in the motor. It doesn't seem to be causing any problems so I'm working on more urgent matters first such as my fork seals and swing arm bearings at the moment.

I didn't think of the aluminum vs magnet issue with the Tstat, would they stick to the exhaust? They are designed to take the heat of a thin metal chimney so I don't think the exhaust temps would damage them.

 

Trying to measure exhaust temp or engine temp?

The temp you really care about is the oil temp.

The correct temperature is damn hot. Use the proper grade of oil and change frequently. Make sure you don't have mud on the engine holding heat in.