As you know I have a 2010 Sportster 48. During the warmer months this last season I got caught at a long stoplight in traffic. The engine produced so much heat (the worst I've felt in four decades) that I shut it down. It re-started just fine, and in a few miles the motor seemed to cool off.

The incident still bothered me, and my service writer agreed that the newer models ran very hot, Sportsters in particular. He recommended a Stage 1 or Heavy Breather filtration filter, and a Screaming Beagle exhaust. We figured the standard download would modulate the fuel delivery better, as well. However, this topic seems to surface in bike forums on the newer bikes seeking better EPA numbers by running leaner. I told my mechanic the other day that I have a plan for the heat.

One, if this present "fix" works, we're going to do nothing. I'll just need more miles to know for sure.

Two, if the bike still runs hot, an hour of dyno time is only 80 bucks, and the Sportster has more than enough miles on her for the run. Based on the numbers, we might just tweak it with a super-tuner.

Finally, I'm researching oil coolers. My riding on the Sportster is a 75/25 split favoring the highway, so cooler oil may help, buit I'm open to suggestions.

(BTW, we're also researching a temp gauge I can mount somewhere on the handlebar clamps, just in case. Did I miss anything?)

Hey Tourist,

The only stuff I've seen so far that actually address the heat issues revolve around the fuel mixture needing to be enriched. Of course, I can't state for sure as I haven't done it yet but I hear the Nightrider Xied devices work pretty well...here's a link for you to read up....hope it helps!

https://www.nightrider.com/parts/

oil cooler cant hurt

Thanks, guys. It seems we're on the same page.

Mike_68, the nice thing about having a factory trained wrench is that they know how to manipulate code with a super-tuner. My guy, Ryan of Capital City Harley, was the guy that wrote the program for Betty. Going this route has other benefits. I might not be done with the mods on Spinner. I might get cams, or different air filtration or a completely new exhaust. Heck, Betty has been on the dyno a few times now.

If we're close, Ryan can find the correct protocol and correct the fuel mixture--assuming the download he picked does not work.

Roadking, I might get the oil-cooler anyway. I went riding one day on the little girl and had to stop for gas three times. I was in for my 1,000 mile check-up before many guys had even picked up their 48. I think the only reason Spinner has less than 10,000 miles on her now is from the seat, not the motor. As for the cooler, we're still doing some research, and after a spring shakedown run, it may be included.

from what you say about the short hops I'd suggest the oil cooler and get the plus of peace of mind, cant hurt

That's the major part of our discussion. The farthest I've been able to ride (without the warning light popping on) is 57 miles. I might be able to get 15 to 20 miles more, but the mechanics advise not to push my luck. I use the filler cuff and watch the odometer.

However the longer miles derive from trips to the west side of Madison, and going to see my farthest client in Utica, Wisconsin. The little Sportster is the best for traffic and short hops, like going to my dealer, that's 12 miles one way.

But for +400 dollars for a replacement tank I can buy a lot of gasoline. And I still might have heat problems, anyway. I have Betty for longer hauls.

After I get to try out the winter modifications we'll know for sure how much improvement was achieved. If there is any doubt the oil cooler gets installed. A two hundred cooler is better than a three thousand dollar engine rebuild.

Tourist,



Do you have the throttle by wire, heat management mode, where you twist the throttle foward and it cools the motor. I know very little about this as I just read a little about it recently, but I know it's available in the newer bikes I'm just not sure which ones. It may be on models with cruise, like I said not sure but might be worth looking into.



Ride...Safe

No, those features are on big-twins. Even the present day Sportsters are just 1952 flat-trackers with electric starters. But then, it's why I like them.

Once again, had MoCo found a proper fix for the new mandates rather than leaning out the motors on the cheap you and I wouldn't need this thread. (For example, I would have tried longer duration cam timing, a differing compression ratio and direct injection.)

I am paying to negate MoCo's deliberate damage.

OK got to admit, I seriosly though you were talking about opening it up out on the road and letting the wind cool it down....