Triumphrat

toontownT100 · 07-21-2006

Hi - I recently put an oil temp gauge on my '05 T100 - just screws into the oil filler cap. It's been indicating low 200's (those old F degrees again!) but the last couple days it's been running closer to 250, but then again it's been hot out - over 30 degrees here (real degrees). Problem is I don't know enough to know at what temp the bike should be running...

I did just put a K&N filter on it, but haven't rejetted yet (waiting for new pipes from the guy at newbonnie.com and I think they're coming via vladivostock and sri lanka it's taking so long). But should that make it run hotter?

Anyone know the temp that my T100 should be running at?

Ian

Geoff · 07-21-2006

I would not worry. (i dont have a guage). they will run pretty hot, but exact temps are not taken by the guage, because its sensor is in the air space, not the oil itself.
If your guage creeps up to 250 on a hot day that is normal. If it were to suddenly swing to 300 I might get worried. The guage is mostly handy for telling you the bike is warm enough to ride
Geoff

ohiorider · 07-21-2006

I have to agree with Geoff. Not to worry. Our Bonnie engines aren't exactly overstressed, producing somewhere in the neighborhood of 60hp at 7000 rpm.

The Bonneville engines hold 4 quarts of oil and are equipped with oil coolers. 1200cc BMW opposed twin cylinder engines producing well over 100hp also depend on 4 quarts of oil for cooling and lubrication, and have oil coolers of similar area.

If anyone needs to worry, it should be the BMW riders, and believe me, they're not worried.

I think many of us who rode in the 1960's still express concerns about frying an engine, which are unwarranted.

Reminds me of when I purchased a Virago in 1984 and asked the dealer when I should anticipate requiring a top end overhaul. He looked at me quizically and asked me when I last rode a bike. When I told him the mid 60's, and that it was a BSA, he smiled and said 'just go ride'.

Things changed a lot in bike (and lubrication) technology from the 1960s to the 1980s. And even more since.

Bob

SPTRIP · 07-21-2006

Quote:

On 2006-07-21 20:29, ohiorider wrote:
I have to agree with Geoff. Not to worry. Our Bonnie engines aren't exactly overstressed, producing somewhere in the neighborhood of 60hp at 7000 rpm.

The Bonneville engines hold 4 quarts of oil and are equipped with oil coolers. 1200cc BMW opposed twin cylinder engines producing well over 100hp also depend on 4 quarts of oil for cooling and lubrication, and have oil coolers of similar area.

If anyone needs to worry, it should be the BMW riders, and believe me, they're not worried.

I think many of us who rode in the 1960's still express concerns about frying an engine, which are unwarranted.

Reminds me of when I purchased a Virago in 1984 and asked the dealer when I should anticipate requiring a top end overhaul. He looked at me quizically and asked me when I last rode a bike. When I told him the mid 60's, and that it was a BSA, he smiled and said 'just go ride'.

Things changed a lot in bike (and lubrication) technology from the 1960s to the 1980s. And even more since.

Bob

I agree with Bob. I own a T100 and a R1200GS. I've ridden both in 100 degree F heat. My T100 as recently as last weekend with no drop off in performance.

When you look at the small after market oil coolers on today's Harley's, plus the fact the rear cylinder is right behind the front with no offset, that's the motor that shows wear from heat. I know, I had a Low Rider.

The T100's twin is much better set up to dissipate heat and it's got a good oil cooler.

Hell, you're in Canada, how hot can it possibly get?

BlitzPig · 07-21-2006

Also remember that the standard fill on modern Triumph motorcycles is Mobil 1 synthetic oil, which has a far higher temperature stability range than standard type lubricating oils do.

JMV2006 · 07-22-2006

Until now I only went once for a ride in my T100 and also had the feeling that the engine covers became rather hot after a few miles (total 23 Km on the counter so far!

).
I ride with full gear but I had the impression that if I didn't have my boots on and would touch it with my legs I would have got burned.
Now that someone courageous asked a similar question I also dare to ask:

Is this normal? :???:

bgaz · 07-22-2006

Its normal for every motorcycle engine to get hot, the air cooled ones get a bit hotter than the water cooled ones.

What about your car engine?
Ever put a hand on that after an hours drive?

As long as you run the correct oil and change it when it should be, I dont think you need to worry about heat.

Brett

toontownT100 · 07-22-2006

Thanks everyone for your replies. I'll stop worrying. As our belgian friend noted, it get's pretty hot - I went through a little shower after about 60km the other day and as the lower legs of my jeans got a bit wet I could really feel the heat.

As for the comment from Minnesota about how hot it could possibly be in Canada, I can't answer that as I can't get the weather channel on the tv in my igloo!!! Actually a couple of summers ago we had a day where the temp hit 38 here in Saskatoon and today it's going to be 34 !

cheers and thanks all

Ian

RedBird · 07-22-2006

JMV2006,

Yes, it is very normal. With the "wet sump" engine and a gallon of oil on-board, the engine case will be very hot to touch, AND when you turn off the engine the engine case will remain hot long after the exhaust system has cooled. On the old "dry sump" engines, the engine case would cool much quicker after the engine was turned off because the hot oil was in an external tank.

Now, get some kilometers on that T-100. :-D

Larry