Hasn't it been real hot in KC lately ? Yes, a heavier oil (20w 50) would also help.
These bikes throw off a lot of heat when it warm outside, and if ridden in stop/go or even slow traffic.

Sea Foam is to clean the fuel system, it doesn't make the bike run any cooler.

 

Heavier weight oil will make the motorcycle run hotter. I used to work for Suzuki in the air-cooled four-cylinder motorcycle days, and they found that lighter oil flows more freely and takes away more heat from the hotter parts of the engine. If you want the motorcycle to run as cool as possible in hot weather, the recommended 10W40 is ideal. As long as the bearings aren't worn and there's good oil pressure, that oil will be fine.

 

+1!
Lighter oil will actually move the heat around better.

 

it has been hotter lately, thats for sure. i rode in 95 degree heat a week ago and didnt feel anything to be concerned about. today was hot too, but not as hot as its been...i wasnt thinking seafoam would be the solution, but i thought id throw that in there just in case someone thought the carb may be acting up.

what confuses me is that one side feels hotter than the other

 

Lean mixture, improper timing, improper valve clearances, dirty fins can all cause the engine to run hotter. So can carb synchronization.

 

+1, also see that the oil cooler matrix fins are clear of dirt and mud.

 

I wouldn't be surprised if the Seafoam might cause the engine to run warmer .

 

To be sure I think you would need to actually measure the temperatures. You tend to notice the engine heat far more when the weather's hot. Even when it's functioning perfectly engine's are hot; the exhaust can be over 600F, the valves are running red hot. All this heat is designed to be dissipated to the outside environment. When the weather is hot, even more heat needs to be dumped and if you're hot as well, you're going to really notice all that heat radiating off the motor. It should all be within the design parameters and nothing to worry about, but you might want to check.

 

for now i think ill change to a heavier oil and see if that helps or not...its about 1000 miles away from needing one anyways. ive felt that shifting hasnt been as smooth lately, so why not change oil now is what im thinking.

i sure hope that its nothing going on with the carb or anything inside the head. ive had some questionable experiences with the local triumph dealer here in KC and would love to avoid dealing with them again

thanks everyone for the replies! this forum is awesome for me to learn from and am usually lurking around here a few times a week

 

What is the actual temperature ?
What you "feel" (or more accurately..... think you feel) is no measurement.
Degrees in "F"or "C" is necessary to answer.
Measure the cylinder head temp ........... at the spark plug. Compare both Left and Right cylinders.

A good quality Infrared unit will get you within a few degrees used properly ........... pointed at the metal base of the spark plug, moving it around while pulling the trigger to be sure to locate the HIGHEST reading. A Spark Plug Thermocouple is great as well, but not as readily available.

 

Would degrees Kelvin work?

 

1(f) = 255.9277777778 (k)
:hmmthink

 

I have found my Bonneville runs a sump temperature of about 80 degrees in winter with a cylinder head temperature of about 100, while in warmer weather (say mid-30s) the sump temperature is about 100 and the cylinder head about 120. They do run hot.

 

im starting to think that there isnt a problem with my bike and im acting paranoid about any increase in temperature. ive only had the bike since september and havent really rode in high heat weather until recently. i have a tendency to worry about things being wrong when in all reality everything is fine.

ive ridden in some cooler temps for the past couple of days, and it seems that everything has been good. the bike runs good and i should leave it alone, stop being so paranoid, and just ride the damn thing!

to be fair, if it was running too hot i would have thought something bad would have happened by now.

 

:applause
LOL
Don't be hard on yourself.
Just because your paranoid ..... doesn't mean that nobody is following you!
Though in this case ...... it is probably concern for nothing.

Concerns are easily set aside though, when you check things out! Easy enough to do. Re-read post #10.

The worst thing that can happen by checking things out, and proving yourself wrong ........... is becoming more familiar with the 2 wheeled machine that you trust your life to driving down the road at high rates of speed!
That's not so bad is it?
I am always happy to be proven wrong ......... when I suspect a "problem".
No so much if it means the wife is RIGHT!

It isn't worth the risk to let things go, on a motorcycle. Only thing between you and a very hard surface .... are two small patches of rubber.

Find, borrow, or steel an infrared temp gun .......... go for a ride, and familiarize yourself with the operating temperatures of your bike.

The cylinder head will normally run between 200 and 350f degrees. Varying of course, due to riding habits and climate conditions.

There are a number of vendors that sell "Oil Fill Cap Thermometers". Invest in one. Handy little things. While they won't tell you an accurate "Engine Temp". They will accurately inform you of your "Oils Temp". It will range from 150 - 250f degrees. Higher temps on longer jounts, lower on quick trips to the store.

Braking temperatures will fall into the 200 - 300f degree range. Higher of course when conditions require harder breaking (high speed stops). Also handy to know ......... it can help you diagnose a brake caliper that's dragging (will generate higher than "normal" temps, under "normal" conditions) .

Concern is "good" .......... "Worry", is a waste of energy and time.

 

I see this post so i write a bit about my bike when riding.. My 2014 thruxton whit ttp12 tune + mods. Ark kit. K&n pods. Running after city riding and some normal riding. Ca 80 km trip. In 23-30 °c outside temp. My oil plug whit temp reading 100°c. The engine feels HOT. But so far no leaks or problems. Running 10W40 fully synthetic oil. It's normal I think?? Some one have the same stats?

 

No problem. At those ambient temps and distance covered 100ºC is to be expected. In cooler weather mine runs at 85-90ºC.

 

Thanks. That sounds like mine. I its god to know. My mate have a new yamha Mt-07(water coold) it never gets so hot.
When the weather is cold (Normal weather in Norway), I quite like the heat from the engine!