Oil cooler thermostat (bedtime reading)...

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Nice link. I won't be running an oil cooler on my Commando but interesting to know how these things work.
 
I'm running one, it's the same one noted in the article (used in transport trucks), was also much less expensive than the Jegg unit

Oil cooler thermostat (bedtime reading)...

Oil cooler thermostat (bedtime reading)...
 
Good Read! I don't need an OC on my Commando but would absolutely run a cooler WITH a T-stat if I regularly ran the bike hard for extended periods or tracked it! Thanks for posting!
 
Yes interesting read , will admit my eyes were getting heavy by time I got to postscript .....
 
For most Commando street bikes an oil cooler is probably beneficial less than 2% of the time, but that 2% is real important. You only need to hear of all the frequent rebuilds, especially top end, to surmise the Commando engine could benefit from a thermostatically controlled oil cooler.
 
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I try to never exceed 98% on my rides!! :)


But seriously, Jim, I think your point is a good one. IF a T-stat is fitted, there is certainly no operational down side to running a cooler!
 
yes there are, additional points of failure that racers mostly cover best
 
FWIW, I've read through the different opinions on the matter (very strong in some cases), as well as the INO test where head temps were measured with/without a cooler.

I know this. The cooler has made a noticeable difference in my oil pressure readings while riding around town in the summer (and it gets hella hot here in the summer). After an expressway run, my
MexicoMike said:
I try to never exceed 98% on my rides!! :)


But seriously, Jim, I think your point is a good one. IF a T-stat is fitted, there is certainly no operational down side to running a cooler!
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Also adds about 1/2 litre of oil capacity in my case, my oil pumps are in good nick too, so no worries about pushing the extra through the system. Though I have mine tapped on the return side, and I know some who have theirs plumbed on the intake.
 
Like I have said before I have been running oil coolers on all my British twin motorcycles for over 40 years now without a T stat without any problems and have gotten long life out of my motors, my oil keeps it body and not so watery when doing my oil changes, but I also use STP with my oil, my Norton has a hot motor but I am still running my orginal valves but my head has a lot of port work done to it as well as a few other goodies.
My old 1981 Triumph Thunderbird brought new and put a oil cooler on it from day one without a T stat, I clocked up 250,000kms on that bike before I did a top end rebuild on it before I sold it, till this day I have regretted selling that bike, it just kept going.
All my bikes have got up to temp the same time as without a oil cooler or T stat, but getting my oil cooled down a bit more before going back into a very hot motor is what I want and have done so, but with my hot 850 Featherbed I am only running a round 3 ltr alloy oil tank it holds 2 ltr oil and 1 ltr air space so the extra 1/2 ltr oil with the oil cooler helps very much in keeping my Norton running cool and even running with the oil cooler in our winters here my bike runs so well all the time, I never have any engine troubles and with over 43 years of ownership I have never had any problems with my motor running to cool, the oil still gets up to temp it just don't get over heated and for the first 15 years of its life was my only transport, I also ride my bikes pretty hard and push them to their limits as much as I can.

Ashley
 
ashman said:
Like I have said before I have been running oil coolers on all my British twin motorcycles for over 40 years now without a T stat without any problems and have gotten long life out of my motors, my oil keeps it body and not so watery when doing my oil changes, but I also use STP with my oil, my Norton has a hot motor but I am still running my orginal valves but my head has a lot of port work done to it as well as a few other goodies.
My old 1981 Triumph Thunderbird brought new and put a oil cooler on it from day one without a T stat, I clocked up 250,000kms on that bike before I did a top end rebuild on it before I sold it, till this day I have regretted selling that bike, it just kept going.
All my bikes have got up to temp the same time as without a oil cooler or T stat, but getting my oil cooled down a bit more before going back into a very hot motor is what I want and have done so, but with my hot 850 Featherbed I am only running a round 3 ltr alloy oil tank it holds 2 ltr oil and 1 ltr air space so the extra 1/2 ltr oil with the oil cooler helps very much in keeping my Norton running cool and even running with the oil cooler in our winters here my bike runs so well all the time, I never have any engine troubles and with over 43 years of ownership I have never had any problems with my motor running to cool, the oil still gets up to temp it just don't get over heated and for the first 15 years of its life was my only transport, I also ride my bikes pretty hard and push them to their limits as much as I can.

Ashley
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A 2%er.
 
MexicoMike said:
I try to never exceed 98% on my rides!! :)


But seriously, Jim, I think your point is a good one. IF a T-stat is fitted, there is certainly no operational down side to running a cooler!
Click to expand...


And I would add, a measurable upside.
 
Id say climate and location count. If I lived in a city Id have one or if the summer temps were often over 85.
In the countryside in the UK you wont need one.
 
Onder said:
Id say climate and location count. If I lived in a city Id have one or if the summer temps were often over 85.
In the countryside in the UK you wont need one.
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You probably get just as much benefit by changing the oil before and after the few weeks of relative warmth!
 
I've made several coolers for various bikes I've owned & never used a thermos. Not saying it's the right thing to do but it has worked out quite well giving 4-5 loops on the return & mounted forward. The Norton was not really ridden enough for me to do one, though with the high temps & like humidity rolling around I'm going to.
I was sent an incorrect evaporator for my Dodge PU, which was kept with this thought(not expensive). All which has to be done is cut to size, flare ends slightly, & fab a mount......Now you guys have forced me to put on my boots and go dig in my stash to figure this out so it looks presentable. I'm suppose to be retired too.
 
I'm still wondering how to increase the top end's oil drainage to allow some additional cooling flow up there. Better for the oil. On a hot day, whatever slight amount of oil that does pass through the exhaust side of the rocker box likely sees damaging temperatures.
 
Myself being no expert all I can state on that is to ensure that adequate high quality oil, which isn't overheated is reaching the area. I've always used the Castrol GTX 20-50 which was the recommended oil years ago. I also change oil around 500mi. in summer months......Well used to 38 years ago, so I figure it'll be so again.
 
xbacksideslider said:
I'm still wondering how to increase the top end's oil drainage to allow some additional cooling flow up there. Better for the oil. On a hot day, whatever slight amount of oil that does pass through the exhaust side of the rocker box likely sees damaging temperatures.
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Comnoz’s replies on this topic in the earlier thread were to the contrary, ie that increase in that flow simply raised oil temps.

Proceed with your own trails if you wish, but when someone else who is highly regarded in matters Norton has already done so, and shared their findings, it’s enough for me!
 
When I had a free supply of oil, I changed it about as much as your 500 miles. It certainly didnt hurt. And
Im in the camp that says more oil to the head for purposes of cooling is pointless because Jim actually tested
this. Jim is pretty scientific in his approach to problems and that is worth a lot.
 
Jim did test the ‘more oil to the head’ theory and it came up negative. De bunking my theory!

Jim also showed how oils can break down quickly in our archaic engines. We must not think that just because our Toyota can do a million miles between oil changes that it applies to old Norton’s. Cos it doesn’t !
 
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