Engine Temperature
- KZJAKE
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Engine Temperature
26 May 2010 21:27 - 27 May 2010 15:01
Any one know how hot should a KZ 650 engine get. I check mine after a 10 mile ride as soon as I shut it down. It was about 270 degrees on the head and about 200 on the crankcase. So is this right or what? The outside temp was about 85 degress.
Last edit: 27 May 2010 15:01 by KZJAKE.
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- Old Man Rock
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Re: Engine Temperature
27 May 2010 06:36
What's the outside temp (Ambient)?
Can be as reviewed in recent testing here in AZ on my KZ.
Pre & Post synthetic oil and oil cooler....
Maybe will give you some idea on yours...
OMR
Can be as reviewed in recent testing here in AZ on my KZ.
Pre & Post synthetic oil and oil cooler....
Maybe will give you some idea on yours...
OMR
1976 KZ900-A4
MTC 1075cc.
Camshafts: Kawi GPZ-1100 .375 lift
Head: P&P via Larry Cavanaugh
ZX636 suspension
MIKUNI, RS-34'S...
Kerker 4-1, 1.5" comp baffle.
Dyna-S E.I.
Earls 10 row Oil Cooler
Acewell 2802 Series Speedo/Tach
Innovate LC1 Wideband 02 AFR meter
Phoenix, Az
MTC 1075cc.
Camshafts: Kawi GPZ-1100 .375 lift
Head: P&P via Larry Cavanaugh
ZX636 suspension
MIKUNI, RS-34'S...
Kerker 4-1, 1.5" comp baffle.
Dyna-S E.I.
Earls 10 row Oil Cooler
Acewell 2802 Series Speedo/Tach
Innovate LC1 Wideband 02 AFR meter
Phoenix, Az
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- BSKZ650
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Re: Engine Temperature
27 May 2010 06:58
cool chart OMR, but damn,, you have wayyy to much time on your hands..

77 kz650, owned for over 25 years
77 ltd1000, current rider
76 kz900, just waiting
73 z1,, gonna restore this one
piglet, leggero harley davidson
SR, Ride captian, S.E.Texas Patriot Guard Riders.. AKA KawaBob
77 ltd1000, current rider
76 kz900, just waiting
73 z1,, gonna restore this one
piglet, leggero harley davidson
SR, Ride captian, S.E.Texas Patriot Guard Riders.. AKA KawaBob
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- bountyhunter
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Re: Engine Temperature
27 May 2010 11:15
I read that the spark plugs are like thermostats. If you install a cooler plug, the head will run cooler.
1979 KZ-750 Twin
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- bhardy501
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Re: Engine Temperature
27 May 2010 11:22
I have thought about an engine oil cooler for my 80 kz1000. How hard are they to install and where do they install at?
1980 KZ1000B LTD
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- hocbj23
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Re: Engine Temperature
27 May 2010 11:28
On my 1982 KZ 1000 it is installed on the frame where the horns used to be.Relocated the horns.Took me and a buddy about an hour to get it on.Old Kaw Man has a complete unit u can buy for 150 bucks or so-cooler,hoses,fittings ,etc.Good deal.bj
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- TeK9iNe
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Re: Engine Temperature
27 May 2010 11:38 - 27 May 2010 11:39
The oil cooler units are a totally un-necessary upgrade to even a moderately tuned motor (like pods + 4-1 with re-jetting).
If your going bigger block, extra lift cams, extra, extra, blah... Then you might really want to consider one.
EITHER WAY, start with one of these:
Not too expensive for peace of mind, from American Classix
It replaces your oil filler cap! Cool, I know!
Then you can see if you ever need an oil cooler upgrade.
Peace.
If your going bigger block, extra lift cams, extra, extra, blah... Then you might really want to consider one.
EITHER WAY, start with one of these:
Not too expensive for peace of mind, from American Classix
It replaces your oil filler cap! Cool, I know!

Then you can see if you ever need an oil cooler upgrade.
Peace.

Motorcycle Shop Owner/Operator
79 Kawie Z1000 LTD
81 Kawie Z1000 CSR
83 Honda VT750C A
85 Kawie GPZ900 A2
86 Zukie GS1150 EG
93 Yamie XV1100 E
Lucky to have rolled many old bikes through my doors
79 Kawie Z1000 LTD
81 Kawie Z1000 CSR
83 Honda VT750C A
85 Kawie GPZ900 A2
86 Zukie GS1150 EG
93 Yamie XV1100 E
Lucky to have rolled many old bikes through my doors

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Last edit: 27 May 2010 11:39 by TeK9iNe.
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- BSKZ650
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Re: Engine Temperature
27 May 2010 14:24
Tek,, I have to dissagree with you, I have coolers on my bikes, as of right now the outside temp is 92 degrees, and this is not even summer time.
You can feel the heat coming off the engine and any time you have a oppertunity to reduce the oil temp I would take it, unless you live in a cold climate.
I was riding Monday, and at lights I really noticed the heat.
You can feel the heat coming off the engine and any time you have a oppertunity to reduce the oil temp I would take it, unless you live in a cold climate.
I was riding Monday, and at lights I really noticed the heat.
77 kz650, owned for over 25 years
77 ltd1000, current rider
76 kz900, just waiting
73 z1,, gonna restore this one
piglet, leggero harley davidson
SR, Ride captian, S.E.Texas Patriot Guard Riders.. AKA KawaBob
77 ltd1000, current rider
76 kz900, just waiting
73 z1,, gonna restore this one
piglet, leggero harley davidson
SR, Ride captian, S.E.Texas Patriot Guard Riders.. AKA KawaBob
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- hocbj23
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- bountyhunter
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Re: Engine Temperature
27 May 2010 16:25
Oil coolers were pretty essential in the days before syn oil, but the new oils and additive packages stand up to more temp than the engine can handle. I don't think a cooler is needed if you use the best oil.
1979 KZ-750 Twin
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- Kawickrice
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Re: Engine Temperature
27 May 2010 16:41
Being from Florida the oil cooler is a piece of mind knowing the oil is getting some extra cool air. The only downfall I see is on cold startups the oil drops to the pan and it takes a while to get the lube going up to the cooler. These bikes run low oil pressure anyways .
73 Kawasaki Z1
07 HD CVO Ultra Classic
82 Suzuki GS 1100
74 Yamaha RD 350 (My two stroke toy)
77 Kawasaki KZ 650B-1 (My putt around bike)
80 Indian Moped (My American Iron)
1
Long Gone
75 Suzuki GT550
74 GT 380
79 RD 400 Daytona Special
72 Honda CL 175
74 Honda QA 50
Tampa FL
07 HD CVO Ultra Classic
82 Suzuki GS 1100
74 Yamaha RD 350 (My two stroke toy)
77 Kawasaki KZ 650B-1 (My putt around bike)
80 Indian Moped (My American Iron)
1
Long Gone
75 Suzuki GT550
74 GT 380
79 RD 400 Daytona Special
72 Honda CL 175
74 Honda QA 50
Tampa FL
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- davel
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Re: Engine Temperature
27 May 2010 19:44 - 27 May 2010 19:48
KZJAKE wrote:
270 on the head and 200 at the crankcase (engine oil temp) are normal for an air cooled engine.
Temps can get to about 350 at the head and 250 at the crankcase without issue. Above that and you'll start to get signs of overheating. pinging, eratic idle, stalling at idle, or worse...
btw have a look at the picture Tek posted. That's a crankcase oil temp gauge. Note the red line at 250...
Any one know how hot should a KZ 650 engine get. I check mine after a 10 mile ride as soon as I shut it down. It was about 270 degrees on the head and about 200 on the crankcase. So is this right or what? The outside temp was about 85 degress.
270 on the head and 200 at the crankcase (engine oil temp) are normal for an air cooled engine.
Temps can get to about 350 at the head and 250 at the crankcase without issue. Above that and you'll start to get signs of overheating. pinging, eratic idle, stalling at idle, or worse...
btw have a look at the picture Tek posted. That's a crankcase oil temp gauge. Note the red line at 250...
Last edit: 27 May 2010 19:48 by davel.
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