Oil pressure gauge, Yay or Nay?

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André Bourbonnais

André Bourbonnais

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Nov 23, 2017
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Im trying to figure out if I want or need an oil pressure gauge. Ive seen a few of them and some are expensive and others just look cheap.

Ive been reading all sorts or threads and some people say that due to the inconsistency of the oil pump the gauge is not necessary, others say its a must.

Thoughts, and which one should I get? I know,
I know there are many threads here on this subject...
 
You don't really need an oil pressure guage on a commando in my opinion,
Maybe get the "madass" oil pressure sensor ,
You don't really want to be riding along looking at an oil pressure guage incase something goes wrong IE a dramatic loss of oil pressure.
But with a light coming on you would probably notice and stop to investigate this is what I have done.cheers
 
It depends on what kind of riding you do. Knowing that you have oil pressure leaves you free to concentrate on traffic , radar , speed traps etc. I once did over 100mph for over an hour and the odd check on the gauge gave peace of mind.
 
It's a window into the depths of your engine. Read about crankcases punched out. Long before the rod bearing seized, the oil pressure started going low, disaster could have been avoided. It's the very first accesory I obtained.
Even a $200 Briggs has a low oil pressure shutdown.
"Gage is Expensive"...??? Clearly you've never paid to rebuild an engine $$$$
 
concours said:
It's a window into the depths of your engine. Read about crankcases punched out. Long before the rod bearing seized, the oil pressure started going low, disaster could have been avoided. It's the very first accesory I obtained.
Even a $200 Briggs has a low oil pressure shutdown.
"Gage is Expensive"...??? Clearly you've never paid to rebuild an engine $$$$
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Or been riding one that grenaded !
 
I use Smiths 2inch and have a rogue rocker feed found for me by Gus Kuhns in London many years ago.. it has two double unions the open outlet has a bit of tight rubber hose pushed on and the gauge hose smeared in araldite is pushed inside that. been ok since 1973
 
No need for an oil pressure gauge. You’ll know you have no oil pressure when the engine seizes. Having an indication of insufficient oil pressure just might prevent engine seizures.
 
JimC said:
No need for an oil pressure gauge. You’ll know you have no oil pressure when the engine seizes. Having an indication of insufficient oil pressure just might prevent engine seizures.
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Thats a wonderful suggestion, should I also dip my bike in my salt water pool to get those hard to clean areas aswell?
 
A lowering of oil pressure TREND over two years was an indicator of wear, and here is the supporting evidence:
Oil pressure gauge, Yay or Nay?
Oil pressure gauge, Yay or Nay?
 
Its mostly a cosmic issue on Commandos but may entice you not to idle too long or slow for cam/lifter drain down needs. I do not believe pressure gauge much use to protect engine as loosing enough oil to show on meter on the fly will be revealed by the mess/smell/smoke or squirrely traction to alert ya. Even the long term dropping reading would not stop from using - until bottom noises or seizures force ya too. I love to watch meter needles so vote install a nice one all but a few appreciate seeing. Seriously oil pressure shows more of over heating thinning effects than anything else in air cooled engines. Works a treat on my lawn mower alerting me time to clear engine fan screen.
 
It is worth the expense to be able to glance at the OP clock whenever you wish for peace of mind or at least a bit more peace of mind.
I like gauges. Ever notice airplane panels have quite a few?
 
Could well be the weakest link but so what, every chain has a weakest link. About as weak as the feed to the head. And you give up a little to get useful data whenever you might wish to have it. And, of course, for you it is JUST TOO HEAVY! :)
 
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