what do you think about oil coolers on ironhead sportsters

HI just a question I have a 79 sportster with a 1000 ironhead. I havet had a chance to ride it much yet with the weather still being cold. but I was told the big problem with ironheads is that thay heat up bad in the hot summer months. So someone sugjested an oil cooler. and so far Ive heard they are great, and also Im just waisting my money getting a cooler and taking a chance of burning up my motor running one. what do you all think and also what type of oil should I run in this bike.

You gotta be kidding us right? I think that is one of the most oxymoronic statements I have ever heard. Let's see, run an oil cooler to help cool the engine and risk buring it up? How?

Get the best oil cooler and thermostat your wallet can handle. Run synthetic to take advantage of the cooler temperatures and that old Sportie will love ya for it.

All I was talking about was a colom I read at some web site, he sayed-----

As much as you'd like to run out and buy an oil-cooler, I'd advise you to keep your wallet in your pocket. Now, I'm finally getting around to my Covington Code regarding why I think you should skip putting an oil-cooler on your bike (see disclaimer above). An oil cooler only works if you've got air blowing through it. When you're moving, an air-cooled V-twin motor cools just fine, because you've got air blowing through it. The same principal applies to your accessory oil-cooler; it needs air to circulate through its radiator to cool your motor. The problem is that I've yet to see an oil cooler designed for a V-Twin that includes an auxiliary fan, like a water-cooled radiator.

About the only time your bike is going to overheat is when you're sitting still, low on oil, or you're pondering another route to avoid the traffic jam you're stuck in. If you've got an oil-cooler on your bike, sitting still with your motor running, you'll be reducing the oil pressure by forcing the oil through the cooler. The whiz-bang oil cooler won't be cooling your oil because it has no air circulating through it, so you're in double "heat" jeopardy. Plus you've added about four more oil hose fitting locations creating more places for oil to leak from your bike. If you're leaking oil, you're loosing the cooling property and contents of your oil-bag and reducing the ability of your air-cooled motor to cool properly. Note: Harleys don't leak; they just mark their spot.

That is the artical I was refering to when I asked the question. I figured this was the place to ask. I would think it was one of the most oxymoronic statements also but this guy was very indeath with his statment. I have been a automotive tec for 15 years but just never have worked on bikes very much. so I do have macanical knolage (just cant spell)

I beleave an oilcooler is the way to go, just wanting some input.

Living in AZ and riding an old Iron Head my self, I've often thought that exact thing. I'm going to try to mount a 4 inch PC fan on mine.

oil coolers

oil coolers are good in certain areas. But, in cool weather you need to cover then up, the oil needs to get hot. if you don't let it get hot it will damage your motor, over a long period of time. Its like your body in cold weather, you cover yourself up to keep some heat in, cus it doesn't like cold weather. I live in texas doesn't stay cold very long,I still cover the oil cooler. Just use a shop rag and duct tape. Hope this helps.

oil coolers

Duct tape just popped into my mind. I do have a bag, don't use all the time cus i don't like the cold(I put the bag around me). Here when it's 110deg's. I use the a/c in my truck. Maybe I'm getting old.

Stangitmo,

IMHO, The only accurate statement was the part about sitting still. Even then, an oil cooler presents two advantages. One, it provides additional oil volume and two, it provides additional cooling from the heat radiating off of the cooler.

On a (pre-TC88) H-D oil is not "pushed through the cooler" before going to the engine. The oil pump feeds directly into the engine. Oil coolers are on the return side. If your scavenge pump is working correctly, there will be no problem pushing the oil through the cooler. If the scavenge or "return" side is not up to snuff, well, you got more issues anyway.

T-stats are a lot better than early versions. If you do not trust them, use a by-pass valve and open and close as you need to. I once made a fancy leather cover for an oil cooler...looked spiffy but I think cutting off the flow is better.