Modern Buddy

Hi – So I have done a bunch of mods to my 125 Buddy and I was wondering if anyone has installed some type of engine temperature gauge on their scoot. My mechanic thought that it might be good idea seeing how it can get hot in Denver.

I have seen some installations on motorcycles where folks have installed one of those small dial type thermometers with the long probe (like a meat thermometer) through the dipstick cap. I'm sure a handy fellow could also install a small thermocouple probe somewhere with a digital readout up by the headset. Not sure why your mechanic thinks it is necessary but could be interesting. The answer in hot weather is to keep moving, or shut down the engine if you can't. (Boy, you should see my Ural engine heat up on a hot afternoon when it sits at fast idle for a few minutes. It can make the headers glow!)

I have not tried this oil temperature gauge but a few years ago MB member SCOOTER SOLDIER recommended the XRs Oil Temperature Dip Stick for the Honda CRF250R / CRF450R with a 3 inch probe. SCOOTER SOLDIER’s discussion on this can be read in this tread:

viewtopic.php?t=2602&highlight=oil+temp+gauge

How about something along these lines:

http://www.partshelf.com/ps-maverick-et-71.html

Anyone have any idea as to what the max temp capability of the thermometer should be in order to adequately handle whatever the engine puts out?

I'm sure Denver gets a little hot, but there are an awful lot of Buddies here in the Tucson and Phoenix areas. I'm currently riding in my 3rd summer and have ridden both on highway and in stop & go traffic in temps of 110+ degrees with no ill effect. I don't think you really have much to worry about, unless you just want the gauge, which would be kind of a neat feature.

Howard

i think the cheapest way to go is the dipstick with the dial temp gauge. You can even go as far as getting an EGT gauge (exhaust gas temp). 2t people use them to tune their rides when they have a lot of mods on theirs. but it can get $$$

you need a cyl head temp guage this will give you the best engine temp info
it has a ring that goes around the spark plug and gives tha actual engine temp oil temp is ok but not as uselfull as the actual head temp
to prevent an over heat
also consider an exhasut gas temp guage you will have to drill a hole in your pipe and put a probe in your exhasut but this will give ou real time data if you are rich or lean

jmkjr72 wrote:you need a cyl head temp guage this will give you the best engine temp info
it has a ring that goes around the spark plug and gives tha actual engine temp oil temp is ok but not as uselfull as the actual head temp
to prevent an over heat
also consider an exhasut gas temp guage you will have to drill a hole in your pipe and put a probe in your exhasut but this will give ou real time data if you are rich or lean

Well said.

I am more of a 2T tuner so please keep that in mind.

In general an exhaust gas temp gauge is good for getting your final set up...jets, timing, plug. As jmkjr said you need to drill an access hole in your exhaust. You will also need to get the "probe holder" welded to the pipe. One problem that I have heard is that with regular riding the probes only last a few months. This can get expensive.

For my set up I run plug chops. I'm not sure how accurate these are on a 4T with CVT but someone else can chime in on that.

I DO run a cylnider head temp gauge. Remember...a 2T doesn't have a crank case so there is no "oil temp". I have one on my kittied GT after I soft seized at about 65 mph

As said above the probe sits under the plug. Just remember to remove the metal gasket from the plug first. I use a westach CHT that doesn't require any power. Really the hardest part about the install is fishing the probe wire and mounting the gauge.

I will not run another kitted bike without one!

Hopefully someone with more 4T experience will chime in!

Westach linky
http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/i ... stcht1.php

Total set up for me was right about $100

Factoryeffex.com carries a 3 pack of temp stickers for 14.95. They are kinda like the guage on your BBQ propane tank. They are for motocross bikes. I put 2 of them on my 4 stroke Bajaj for a ride from San Diego to Las Vegas. One on the gear selector and one near the oil drain plug. They work great. Just stick em on a clean surface and thats it.
Buena Suerte!

Tee Jay wrote:Factoryeffex.com carries a 3 pack of temp stickers for 14.95. They are kinda like the guage on your BBQ propane tank. They are for motocross bikes. I put 2 of them on my 4 stroke Bajaj for a ride from San Diego to Las Vegas. One on the gear selector and one near the oil drain plug. They work great. Just stick em on a clean surface and thats it.
Buena Suerte!

Besides the accuracy....isn't it a bit difficult to read the engine temp when riding?

probably just check it at stop lights

gearhead wrote:probably just check it at stop lights

Or so you can see at what temp you blew up your motor!

at least when you get to your destination you can look at it real quick when you get off to see the temp

I purchased one of the dipstick thermometers some years ago for a highly modified Suzuki DR350 (bored out to 435cc by Thumper Racing). Stopped counting dollars after the cost of the mods exceeded $25,000.00. Hadn't thought of that in a while! Anyway back to the thermometer, there was only one company that made these back then, same company made them for the Honda's as well (cannot recall the co. who made them). Unless they have improved on them (alot) don't waste your money. The fit and finish was great, problem was the oil would manage to find it's way through the machined top area where the probe attached into the gauge area, once that happens the gauge is useless. You could tap the gauge after this happened and the needle would fluctuate across the entire temp. range. Another poster mentioned the lack of low and high markings on the probe, as he mentioned not a big deal just make your own marks using the OEM dipstick. Still harder to read than the OEM dipstick, especially so when the oil is fresh and still golden in color. My issue was not an isolated one, many others had the same problem. Not sure if this was problem was ever rectified by the manufacture of the gauge

[quote="Dooglas"]The answer in hot weather is to keep moving, or shut down the engine if you can't.
I know this is true on air-cooled engines like the BMW or Ural, but isn't the Buddy's motor completly shrouded and the fan that provides the cooling air?