kz 650 oil temp

I recently installed an oil temp gauge on my 650 out of curiosity and was satisfied when temps would range between 180 - 210 . . . however during a long ride in south carolina... (almost 80 outside) ... I saw the oil reach about 250 degrees. Even while running at a constant 60mph the temps really didnt go down.
I read some forums where the proper temps should be between 160 - 210.... and was wondering if this is normal.... and should I be concerned ... and what is considered overheating??

Thanks....

Brian Clarke
1978 Kz650C stock except pods
oil thermostat a sunpro running out of the oil pan

Is your 650 engine stock?

I am guessing that is about right for oil temp,, I know if the oil hits 300 in a race car you are gonna have big problems,fast

Oil cooler on a stock KZ650 is overkill in my opinion, unless you reside somewhere where it gets really warm (100F +).

The normal operating temp for oil is generally considered to be 210-220 degrees F, 250 for an extended time is pushing it.

I am not sure about the oil temp, but your signature lists that your bike is all stock except the oil temp and pods. If you're running pods without rejetting the carbs, you're going to be running lean-->more heat-->higher oil temps.

From some experience, not all temp gauges read correctly.
Were you concerned about the oil temp before the gauge install?
I have a temp gauge (water cooled) on my Honda CX500 and I hate it. I'm constantly monitoring it; taking away from a stress free ride. Everytime the temp gauge goes up a bit, I'm fearful it's starting to overheat.
Now I drive my SR650 and it feels great. No gauges to vex me. 'Who needs those stinkin' gauges?!'

anyone know what temp oil starts to brake down?

good question,, I did some quick research, and found that most oils ( std oil )start to break down from heat at 250, 300 and you are toast
and most were saying the normal temp range should be 220-230 degrees.

mark1122 wrote:

anyone know what temp oil starts to brake down?

Depends. Synthetics hang together better than dino oil when getting temped up. That's one of the reasons syns are better.

Synthetic oils were originally developed more than 50 years ago and became widely used in jet engines. Less than -120ºF ambient temperatures, 60000 shaft rpm, and 500º+F exhaust temperatures proved too much for conventional oils. Synthetics were created specifically to withstand these harsh conditions and to date every jet engine in the world uses synthetic lubricants.

At the other end of the temperature spectrum, high engine temperatures and heavy loads (as typically found in towing or racetrack applications) cause these chains to break down and the base stock actually boils off causing a change of viscosity and the formulation of sludge. This can happen at temperatures as low as 230º F and by 250º F many petroleum oils are suffering significant breakdown. Synthetic oils on the other hand are engineered specifically to provide all the lubricating properties that natural oil possesses, but none of the cold thickening or hot thinning properties of petroleum oil. Synthetics are made up of uniformly shaped molecules with shorter carbon chains which are much more resistant to heat and stress. Synthetics can withstand temperatures of 300ºF all day long and still protect your engine. In fact the American Society of Testing Materials (ASTM) standard wear resistance tests are conducted at 302º F. In this test synthetic lubricants far out perform petroleum lubricants by factor of four to one and greater.

www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/techarticles/Bo...lt_synthetic_faq.htm