Oil Warmers

[Barry]

Ok guys you have to promise not to laugh until I explain why my bike is sporting a bra. Anyway I do believe I already warned you there would be explicit pictures.

My problem (well one of them) is that during the winter the oil just doesn't begin to get hot on my short daily commute and when I change the oil in the spring there is a little condensate build up inside the valve covers.  Some old air cooled volkswagen owners will be familiar with black Vinyl and may even have had covers to restrict the cooling air intake during cold weather. I've just done the same sort of thing to keep the extremities warm. I'll be doing some oil temperature checks during the week and I expect it will still be too cool but it has got to be an improvement.  And no they don't come close to melting from the heat. I am getting some funny looks though.

[Bob_Roller]

On a short commute, there's not much you can do to get the engine oil up to temperature .

In the cold (to us!!!) weather here (all 6-8 weeks of it), even with the oil cooler blocked off, the oil temp rarely gets to 200 F. on my commute to work with the '81 R65 .

I'll have to swap the oil indicating dipstick over to the '82 LS without a cooler and see what temps I get .

[montmil]

Must be a German thing...

During WWII Luftwaffe operations in the Russian winter, the black crews would drain the oil from aircraft immediately after the planes landed. The oil was kept warm all night, simmering in buckets over a low flame. The hot oil would then be poured into the engines just prior to start ups for the next days mission. Without draining the oil, engine starters just didn't -unable to turn over the engines due to the overly thick oil.

I've seen air-cooled Bugs using plug-in heated dip sticks for overnight assist.

[Barry]

even with the oil cooler blocked off, the oil temp rarely gets to 200 F. on my commute to work with the '81 R65 .

I'd be ecstatic with 200 F  I'm lucky to reach 140 F

The oil was kept warm all night, simmering in buckets over a low flame.

Even I wouldn't go that far.

A dipstick heater though - now that's an idea.

[livingdeadhead]

how about fitting crashbars , then fitting a solid insert to cover the entire heads and barrels, like they used to do with radiator grills on old britidh cars years ago in the winter?

[Barry]

I do actually have a set of crash bars so that's a thought.

[georgesgiralt]

Hello !
I would prefer using a vinyl apron as our grand dad used on his Terrot in winter.
It will keep you warm and block air on the barrels, so help the oil getting hot.
And less laugh prone compared to the bra or shields you plan to use....
Just a though ...

[livingdeadhead]

like this , not sure its vinyl tho.

[georgesgiralt]

Not this one, but you will look cute with it...
I was thinking at something like that :
http://www.monequipementscooter.fr/215-650-large/tablier-moto-tucano-urbano-r117.jpg
But set more on the front of the barrels than on the rear.

[GrimReaper]

Not this one, but you will look cute with it...
I was thinking at something like that :
http://www.monequipementscooter.fr/215-650-large/tablier-moto-tucano-urbano-r117.jpg
But set more on the front of the barrels than on the rear.

  I've seen a lot like this in Italy.Some of them goes all the way up to your neck

[livingdeadhead]

the height of fashion!  8-)