Aero Grows A Gauge
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- Wheelman-111
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Aero Grows A Gauge
Greetings:
I got this off eBay just before the holidays. Just getting around to installing it last night. Until 01:30 by the time I got the wiring figured out. It seems the gauge is polarity-sensitive, tho' the light is not.
It's not fancy like the one I missed from Stage6, but does the job. They say it's a tuner's best friend, and I believe it.
At what temperature does Aluminum melt again?
I got this off eBay just before the holidays. Just getting around to installing it last night. Until 01:30 by the time I got the wiring figured out. It seems the gauge is polarity-sensitive, tho' the light is not.
It's not fancy like the one I missed from Stage6, but does the job. They say it's a tuner's best friend, and I believe it.
At what temperature does Aluminum melt again?
Wheelman-111
Most of my money is spent on scooterparts. The rest is just wasted.
"ISO": '03 Vespa ET4 Malossi187 74MPH
Flash 9: 2001 Elite SR Contesta 72 ZX Tran, 9:1 Gears, Stock Airbox/Carb/Pipe 58.8 MPH
Punkin: 2010 Vespa/Malossi S78, 61MPH
Most of my money is spent on scooterparts. The rest is just wasted.
"ISO": '03 Vespa ET4 Malossi187 74MPH
Flash 9: 2001 Elite SR Contesta 72 ZX Tran, 9:1 Gears, Stock Airbox/Carb/Pipe 58.8 MPH
Punkin: 2010 Vespa/Malossi S78, 61MPH
- Wheelman-111
- Moderator
- Posts: 11325
- Joined: Wed Oct 22, 2008 5:09 pm
- Location: Deepinnaharta, Texas
Wouldn't Change a Thing
Greetings:
Took the long way home in sunny 50-degree weather on that stretch of boulevard that opens up to 60 MPH limit. Along the way (in a 35 zone) I realized that Flash really likes to go 40! Uses only about half throttle and gets up there pretty quick.
The new temp gauge indicates 250 most all the time. Went WOT for about 90 seconds with no hiccups. Pulle cleanly to a needle's width beLOW the 1/2 mark on the gauge -easily 46 indicated. As this Polini bore piles up miles and loosens up, it seems to be getting stronger and feels more eager. When I backed off the gauge was halfway between 275 and 300, hardly scary territory. Now running a BPR8 plug - thanks for the recommendation.
It feels like the stock pipe - 1 baffle drilled - is the limiting factor. RPMs always climb to the same "note" and stay there. Gearing still 11:1 pending locating of a tranny cover that fits.
Anyone got an AF05 - compatible pipe to sell?
Took the long way home in sunny 50-degree weather on that stretch of boulevard that opens up to 60 MPH limit. Along the way (in a 35 zone) I realized that Flash really likes to go 40! Uses only about half throttle and gets up there pretty quick.
The new temp gauge indicates 250 most all the time. Went WOT for about 90 seconds with no hiccups. Pulle cleanly to a needle's width beLOW the 1/2 mark on the gauge -easily 46 indicated. As this Polini bore piles up miles and loosens up, it seems to be getting stronger and feels more eager. When I backed off the gauge was halfway between 275 and 300, hardly scary territory. Now running a BPR8 plug - thanks for the recommendation.
It feels like the stock pipe - 1 baffle drilled - is the limiting factor. RPMs always climb to the same "note" and stay there. Gearing still 11:1 pending locating of a tranny cover that fits.
Anyone got an AF05 - compatible pipe to sell?
Wheelman-111
Most of my money is spent on scooterparts. The rest is just wasted.
"ISO": '03 Vespa ET4 Malossi187 74MPH
Flash 9: 2001 Elite SR Contesta 72 ZX Tran, 9:1 Gears, Stock Airbox/Carb/Pipe 58.8 MPH
Punkin: 2010 Vespa/Malossi S78, 61MPH
Most of my money is spent on scooterparts. The rest is just wasted.
"ISO": '03 Vespa ET4 Malossi187 74MPH
Flash 9: 2001 Elite SR Contesta 72 ZX Tran, 9:1 Gears, Stock Airbox/Carb/Pipe 58.8 MPH
Punkin: 2010 Vespa/Malossi S78, 61MPH
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- Wheelman-111
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- Location: Deepinnaharta, Texas
CHT Sensor Installation
Greetings:
Thanks for the compliments, I'm rather proud of the outcome because of my limited tool access here in my temporary living situation. Without the holesaw that the instructions recommend, I resorted to drilling a circle of holes and carving the leg shield hole to grommet size with trusty utility knife.
The sensor is a thin copper 14 mm ring that replaces the plug washer. It probably drops the plug tip a few thousandths deeper into the combustion chamber, not a bad thing. The VDO instructions suggest making a 90-degree bend between the ring and the short insulated co-ax cable connected to it - to clear the fan shroud.
The sensor cable has a duplex plastic connector that mates with another one on the 2 Gauge wires, which I ran alongside the bike's main wire bundle using the existing frame ties. There was about 10" of gauge wire to spare, neatly zip-tied in a loop near the airbox. The illumination wires I crimped to the yellow Instrument wire and a handy green ground, respectively.. Let there be Light!
The gauge shows > 100 degrees within less than a minute of startup indicating a quick response time. Accuracy is suspect, but what matters is consistency in order to recognize an increasing heat situation before it's too late. If it goes above 300 I will know to pay attention!
Thanks for the compliments, I'm rather proud of the outcome because of my limited tool access here in my temporary living situation. Without the holesaw that the instructions recommend, I resorted to drilling a circle of holes and carving the leg shield hole to grommet size with trusty utility knife.
The sensor is a thin copper 14 mm ring that replaces the plug washer. It probably drops the plug tip a few thousandths deeper into the combustion chamber, not a bad thing. The VDO instructions suggest making a 90-degree bend between the ring and the short insulated co-ax cable connected to it - to clear the fan shroud.
The sensor cable has a duplex plastic connector that mates with another one on the 2 Gauge wires, which I ran alongside the bike's main wire bundle using the existing frame ties. There was about 10" of gauge wire to spare, neatly zip-tied in a loop near the airbox. The illumination wires I crimped to the yellow Instrument wire and a handy green ground, respectively.. Let there be Light!
The gauge shows > 100 degrees within less than a minute of startup indicating a quick response time. Accuracy is suspect, but what matters is consistency in order to recognize an increasing heat situation before it's too late. If it goes above 300 I will know to pay attention!
Last edited by Wheelman-111 on Thu Jan 15, 2009 11:08 am, edited 1 time in total.
Wheelman-111
Most of my money is spent on scooterparts. The rest is just wasted.
"ISO": '03 Vespa ET4 Malossi187 74MPH
Flash 9: 2001 Elite SR Contesta 72 ZX Tran, 9:1 Gears, Stock Airbox/Carb/Pipe 58.8 MPH
Punkin: 2010 Vespa/Malossi S78, 61MPH
Most of my money is spent on scooterparts. The rest is just wasted.
"ISO": '03 Vespa ET4 Malossi187 74MPH
Flash 9: 2001 Elite SR Contesta 72 ZX Tran, 9:1 Gears, Stock Airbox/Carb/Pipe 58.8 MPH
Punkin: 2010 Vespa/Malossi S78, 61MPH
- burnt_toast
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- Wheelman-111
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- Joined: Wed Oct 22, 2008 5:09 pm
- Location: Deepinnaharta, Texas
Farenheit v. Celsius
Greetings:
F Degrees = (9/5 x C.) - 32
So 239 degrees C. = 398 F. Pushing the limit, are we?
If you've seen these indicated gauge temperatures all along and the scooter runs fine, I wouldn't worry about it too much. (Besides, it's not my scooter! ) Worry only if/when you see a significant increase in the temperatures from whatever is "Normal" with your bike/gauge. Shut 'er down before the engine does it for you.
F Degrees = (9/5 x C.) - 32
So 239 degrees C. = 398 F. Pushing the limit, are we?
If you've seen these indicated gauge temperatures all along and the scooter runs fine, I wouldn't worry about it too much. (Besides, it's not my scooter! ) Worry only if/when you see a significant increase in the temperatures from whatever is "Normal" with your bike/gauge. Shut 'er down before the engine does it for you.
Wheelman-111
Most of my money is spent on scooterparts. The rest is just wasted.
"ISO": '03 Vespa ET4 Malossi187 74MPH
Flash 9: 2001 Elite SR Contesta 72 ZX Tran, 9:1 Gears, Stock Airbox/Carb/Pipe 58.8 MPH
Punkin: 2010 Vespa/Malossi S78, 61MPH
Most of my money is spent on scooterparts. The rest is just wasted.
"ISO": '03 Vespa ET4 Malossi187 74MPH
Flash 9: 2001 Elite SR Contesta 72 ZX Tran, 9:1 Gears, Stock Airbox/Carb/Pipe 58.8 MPH
Punkin: 2010 Vespa/Malossi S78, 61MPH
- steffen707
- Elite
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- Location: Central, WI
So is this gauge in Farenheit or in Celcius?
What is the hottest a stock cylinder should go to? Do you have a link to the auction? I want one.
is this it?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/VDO-3109 ... leQ5fParts
Made by VDO?
What is the hottest a stock cylinder should go to? Do you have a link to the auction? I want one.
is this it?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/VDO-3109 ... leQ5fParts
Made by VDO?
87 Honda Spree,
XX Yamaha YSR50
92 Yamaha Jog -> Stock.
05 Kymco Super 9-> My cruiser
xx Honda Gyro -> Man I gotta fix that.
98 Honda Elite S -> corsa, pg long, 24mm oko, ct chrome, ZX trans w/ ruckus variator, trailtech vapor gauges
XX Yamaha YSR50
92 Yamaha Jog -> Stock.
05 Kymco Super 9-> My cruiser
xx Honda Gyro -> Man I gotta fix that.
98 Honda Elite S -> corsa, pg long, 24mm oko, ct chrome, ZX trans w/ ruckus variator, trailtech vapor gauges
The gauge in the picture is in F. A general rule of thumb is half way in the gauge is the normal operating range. So far I haven't had problems running 350 to 400 F. It it started going toward 450 I think I'd back off some. These engines tend to run better as they get hotter, right up untill the piston melts. I agree, watch it for a while and get a feel for what's normal for your engine.
One thing that is a factor is the breakdown temp of the oil. Once you get over about 450 the oil starts to cook and will quit doing it's job.
keithw
One thing that is a factor is the breakdown temp of the oil. Once you get over about 450 the oil starts to cook and will quit doing it's job.
keithw
Honda Pal (Speed-o-scooter) JDM Spree with varator trans.
Honda Spree, 1985.
Another Honda Pal
Let's give it a try, how hard could it be?
Honda Spree, 1985.
Another Honda Pal
Let's give it a try, how hard could it be?
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Wheelman,
Thanks for the installation details. I read your posting, and was thinking, there's no external power required - light is optional. Went over to the VDO site and sure enough, in the troubleshooting section, the sensor puts out millivolts, and the meter directly reads millivolt levels. Pretty neat - no electronics - just electromechanical. I'd bet inside the probe is a thermocouple, which would be polarity sensitive - as you discovered while installing the CHT.
So- After you turn off your scooter - is this correct? - Your CHT registers while cooling down, with 'free' power!
Thanks for the installation details. I read your posting, and was thinking, there's no external power required - light is optional. Went over to the VDO site and sure enough, in the troubleshooting section, the sensor puts out millivolts, and the meter directly reads millivolt levels. Pretty neat - no electronics - just electromechanical. I'd bet inside the probe is a thermocouple, which would be polarity sensitive - as you discovered while installing the CHT.
So- After you turn off your scooter - is this correct? - Your CHT registers while cooling down, with 'free' power!
- Wheelman-111
- Moderator
- Posts: 11325
- Joined: Wed Oct 22, 2008 5:09 pm
- Location: Deepinnaharta, Texas
Now That You Mention It...
Greetings:
Yes, I noticed the gauge does not drop immediately to baseline - which on this gauge is 100 degrees - when I shut down the engine and turn off the key. It continues to read whatever the engine temp was for at least a few minutes, haven't stood there to see how long it takes to go down.
I found Flash's engine needs to be warmed up about a minute or so at 10-15 MPH before it will make enough power to enter traffic lanes. It burbles and 4-strokes along and I have to micro-manage the throttle until it's warm. This corresponds to a minimum gauge reading of 150.
I have not seen the gauge get above 300 so far, but it has been unseasonably cool here in Deepinnaharta, Texas - Mornings around 27-32 and the ride home in a brisk 50-ish breeze. Sizzling summer here (90 degrees is almost every day) may produce somewhat hotter engine temps... It's good to know the Red Zone starts above 400.
Yes, Jonsteffen the gauge reads in degrees Farenheit. The big white "F" at the top is the secret clue... . That gauge in your link looks egg-zackly like mine, but I paid about a third of that asking price. Tee-hee. My gauge appeared to be brand new, tho' the box was certainly aged and dusty. It was the last/only one the seller had and I have seen few others. Haven't really looked lately but there has to be a better deal than that 80-dollar price.
Yes, I noticed the gauge does not drop immediately to baseline - which on this gauge is 100 degrees - when I shut down the engine and turn off the key. It continues to read whatever the engine temp was for at least a few minutes, haven't stood there to see how long it takes to go down.
I found Flash's engine needs to be warmed up about a minute or so at 10-15 MPH before it will make enough power to enter traffic lanes. It burbles and 4-strokes along and I have to micro-manage the throttle until it's warm. This corresponds to a minimum gauge reading of 150.
I have not seen the gauge get above 300 so far, but it has been unseasonably cool here in Deepinnaharta, Texas - Mornings around 27-32 and the ride home in a brisk 50-ish breeze. Sizzling summer here (90 degrees is almost every day) may produce somewhat hotter engine temps... It's good to know the Red Zone starts above 400.
Yes, Jonsteffen the gauge reads in degrees Farenheit. The big white "F" at the top is the secret clue... . That gauge in your link looks egg-zackly like mine, but I paid about a third of that asking price. Tee-hee. My gauge appeared to be brand new, tho' the box was certainly aged and dusty. It was the last/only one the seller had and I have seen few others. Haven't really looked lately but there has to be a better deal than that 80-dollar price.
Wheelman-111
Most of my money is spent on scooterparts. The rest is just wasted.
"ISO": '03 Vespa ET4 Malossi187 74MPH
Flash 9: 2001 Elite SR Contesta 72 ZX Tran, 9:1 Gears, Stock Airbox/Carb/Pipe 58.8 MPH
Punkin: 2010 Vespa/Malossi S78, 61MPH
Most of my money is spent on scooterparts. The rest is just wasted.
"ISO": '03 Vespa ET4 Malossi187 74MPH
Flash 9: 2001 Elite SR Contesta 72 ZX Tran, 9:1 Gears, Stock Airbox/Carb/Pipe 58.8 MPH
Punkin: 2010 Vespa/Malossi S78, 61MPH