Does anyone with a T120 Bonneville have any experience with a temperature gauge from A&J motorcycle parts: https://www.ajcyclesny.com/product/super-corse-temperature-gauge-oil-fill-cap-triumph-classics/ This gauge replaces the oil fill cap; I've taken a look into that place and its an empty cavity; so am wondering how the gauge works.
BB, thanks for the info; may I ask what model and year Triumph you own and where you got your temp gauge??? I was thinking about ordering mine from A&J.
I bought one in the UK.....it gives an indication but its a low reading.....I suspect the underside of the gauge needs to be in a flow or imerced in engine oil. I got a refund....to me it was just eye candy and nothing else. Tested with an infra red thermometer aimed at different points around the engine. Pity I would love an engine temp gauge rather than a silly warning light.
na, thanks for the info; saw the empty cavity below the oil fill cap; kind of figured the gauge was measuring air/metal; it comes under the heading of 'betterin nothing'. Maybe its display of significant change in the temp might come in handy.
I did think the same I must admit. Not sure why I decided against that....looked nice....the ones in the UK are stainless steel..
Owned a HD Roadking; replaced its oil fill cap with a LCD temp gauge/cap that had a probe that dipped into the oil safely and away from internal parts; but, HD probably did the design; they have the dough.
It's a cool farkle, but nothing more. I had one on a previous bike. They take a long time to show changes in temp, so relying on it to save you in an overheat situation is not going to work. For those that want an idea of how hot their engine is, when you hear the rad fans come on, the engine is at 103 degrees C.
103C converts to 217F; I ordered the F gauge. At the time that I owned the HD and bought the HD temp gauge, I read somewhere that oil that gets above 280F (138C) begins to break down; I think that was for fossil oil. On the HD, the highest mine ever got was 239F while stuck in traffic; I pulled over anyway; that kind of heat begins to roast your bottom.
They dont even get engine case temp property.....read way low..... The sensor needs to be in contact with something.
You could hook up a Scanguage II. It'll give you the coolant temp updated by the second. I've an Ultragauge in both my vehicles to keep an eye on coolant temp and scan for codes. Very useful in cars, but I've never hooked one up on a bike.
You could prob rig up a CHT temp gauge....they are powered by the reaction between 2 dissimilar metal as they heat generating a small current.....very accurate and reqw no power supply. I got to know about them when I owned a small aircraft powered by a 2 cylinder Rotax 2 stroke. It was important to monitor temps....CHT...cylinder head temp ....vital on an aircraft engine.....the sensor sat under the spark plug and was fast to react. There is also had a EGT exhaust temp gauge....that sensor goes in the exhaust manifold. That was 20 years ago.....I seem to think they are available for motor cycle applications. Just put the sensor ring under a bolt head in the area of the motor you want to monitor. I will look see if I can see any....like one myself now you have reminded me. look for Thermocouple temp gauge.
In fact here is one...water proof....2 sensors £27 GBP. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/18529326...PQQZI/2SzTxEKHhmhjzLraLaRQ==|tkp:BFBMrrOqjJFj
Nick, thanks for the info; the 2 you mentioned don't ship to the US; however, will search the web for engine temp gauge.
Thanks guys for the info on temp gauges. The one above from A&J showed up today. Quite a substantial hunk of metal; the lens feels like plastic; there is dampening oil above the pointer; the outer casing is metal; the threaded bottom is plastic; the bottom of the cylindrical metal probe/sensor is even with the bottom thread of the gauge; there is a substantial O ring held in place by the frame; the temp range goes from 50 to 300F; 250 to 300 is the red range. I am thinking oil has to be slung onto the metal probe to get the temp. Will see how it works when the weather gets better; rode the bike to the gas station before the gauge arrived to fill up after adding some Stabil to the tank; temp was 40F but the Bonne loved it and revved up to 4K willingly; what a rush! Update: installed the new gauge - fit exactly; noticed on the stock oil cap that a considerable amount of oil coated the inside of the cap and all the way up the threads to the O ring; hence, the temp gauge depends on oil slung up to the probe.
