Oil coolers

**seb** · 16th October 2013, 13:55

Has anyone added a oil cooler onto their bike to increase the oil capacity?

Wanting to get a bit more distance between oil changes, so anyone with a husaberg or ktm?

**pete-blen** · 16th October 2013, 14:05

Originally Posted by seb

Has anyone added a oil cooler onto their bike to increase the oil capacity?

Wanting to get a bit more distance between oil changes, so anyone with a husaberg or ktm?

the motor lives on the oil & air... buy all means put a cooler on... But don't try and pinch pennys with yer oil changes..
It's false economy in the long run..

**seb** · 17th October 2013, 14:31

Not trying to save any money just wanting to get a bit more distance between changes whilst still keeping her reliable.

**AllanB** · 17th October 2013, 18:31

Originally Posted by seb

Not trying to save any money just wanting to get a bit more distance between changes whilst still keeping her reliable.

Really only relevant if you are having over heating issues. Unless you are doing a detailed oil analysis pre cooler and post cooler how are you realistically going to determine if the expensive of the cooler or addition of the cooler was warranted or how long you could reasonably extend the oil change periods?

For example if pre cooler the oil in the bike after X kms (or hours) came out at standard B, and post cooler after X(+Y) kms (or hours) it still came out as standard B you will have concluded that the cooler allowed you to extend the oil changes by value 'Y'.

I'd offer two solutions beyond a cooler with a guesstimate of oil life extension.

Run a economical to purchase oil and frequently change it - ie a bulk pack discounted dino oil.

Upgrade to a full synthetic - I notice the Penrite I have been running in the car is also motorcycle clutch safe. It is full synthetic comes in a 5l pack and is frequently discounted by a significant amount at SuperCheap. At the discounted rate it is cheaper than a old school dino oil and in theory superior. Disclaimer - I've not run it in my motorcycle.

**AllanB** · 17th October 2013, 18:34

Fark me - my post above has even impressed me - I'm ordering a case of this wine my wife has purchased and recommending my employer keeps a bottle handy at work for me, I am confident that it has raised my IQ by 20 points ......

**seb** · 17th October 2013, 20:30

I'm going on the presumption that having more oil will result in the oil remaining a better quality for longer. Not really looking at it for the cooling, more as a reservoir.

Im running Motorex Cross Power as have found it to be quite good and is highly recommended.

**Erelyes** · 17th October 2013, 20:51

Keep in mind that while doubling your oil will double time between changes (in theory) - you won't be doubling the filtration performance of your oil filter.

**AllanB** · 17th October 2013, 21:29

Don't take offence but do you know more than the designer of the engine?

It's designed to take what it takes - unless you have seriously modified it to a much higher specification it is good as is.

If you are really worried about the oil just change it more often. Honda tells me the oil is fine in my bike for 12,000 kms - probably is - I change it yearly with stupidly expensive full synthetic oil, this equates to every 5- 6,000 kms, half what they recommend. It is highly likely I am wasting my money, but it's my bike and I am happy to supply it with the best blood I can afford. Bloody thing will probably last forever!

**seb** · 17th October 2013, 21:46

AllanB
Don't take offence but do you know more than the designer of the engine?

It's designed to take what it takes - unless you have seriously modified it to a much higher specification it is good as is.

If you are really worried about the oil just change it more often. Honda tells me the oil is fine in my bike for 12,000 kms - probably is - I change it yearly with stupidly expensive full synthetic oil, this equates to every 5- 6,000 kms, half what they recommend. It is highly likely I am wasting my money, but it's my bike and I am happy to supply it with the best blood I can afford. Bloody thing will probably last forever!

I Think your trying to compare to other bikes with much higher oil change intervals. Husaberg recommend a change every 10 hours. This being alot less than your 12,000 kms. Unless...

Erelyes
Keep in mind that while doubling your oil will double time between changes (in theory) - you won't be doubling the filtration performance of your oil filter.

From other setups I have seen people have added inline filters to help with filtration.

**Erelyes** · 17th October 2013, 22:08

Originally Posted by seb

From other setups I have seen people have added inline filters to help with filtration.

Mmmm, that should work.

Of course then there's also the issue that doubling the quantity of oil, and adding a further restriction (filter) in there, will perhaps negatively impact oil pressure. The oil pump's designed to do only so much.

**AllanB** · 17th October 2013, 22:10

10 hours of thrashing! A full synthetic will allow a extension but I'd not propose a guess and what duration to aim for without a proper oil analyst.

Is it wet sump? There might be a aftermarket kit for a larger capacity sump.