Scored a free oil cooler! Have a question????

I found this little gem in a scrap aluminum bin today. It is just about the perfect size for an oil cooler for my kz650. The engie I am using in my build up has the Lockheart fitting already installed in it.

My questions are: Do I need a check valve or thermostat valve? Can I put a manual valve in it? Where can I find these types of parts? Any sugestion for the best palce to by braided line on the web?

I think you need a thermostat to work properly, or the oil stays cold too long.

Are you in a hot climate? These bikes don't really need oil coolers in normal environments.

The oil coolers are not installed to cool air cooled engines. They are too prevent the oil from getting to hot if bike is ridden hard.

In the late '70s and early '80s, Japanese air cooled bikes did not have oil coolers when shipped to the US, but same bikes had oil coolers shipped to Europe. Euro riders are supposed to be more 'sport' oriented.

Strictly speaking, if you are not racing your bike, air cooler is not an absolute necessity. But in my opinion, it contributes to engine longevity. Most the latest air cooled 'retros' from Japan had them. I have a '91 Zephyr 750 and it came with a big oil cooler from factory. Does not have any thermostat or any kind of control, nor bypass.

I think you only need go find a oil pan with the oil coolers takes, and cables. If you absoulutely insist on some sort of control, it should bypass the coolers, not block the line.

I have rebuilt the motor with 10.25 to 1 pistons and increased the displacement to 700cc, so a cooler problay isn't such a bad idea, plus the oil pan and case already have the fittings for oil cooler lines. I live in Noth Dakota but it gets into the mid to high 90's regularly in the summer. However it did snow out west on Saturday, yes that's right s-n-o-w! Only the second time I can ever remeber snow on my birthday...

Anyway if anyone runs a cooler on thier bike I just want to know aht works.

If it was in the scrap heap I would test it before you got too far along.

Here's a website for oil cooler related lines and fittings:http://www.holley.com/division/Earls.asp#24

AtLarge wrote:

If it was in the scrap heap I would test it before you got too far along.

Ditto that.

I have one installed on my 900. There are pros and cons. If I did'nt live in Florida I probably would take it off. If your bike did'nt come with one from the factory you should do some research to see if it would benefit you and your riding environment. If it cools the motor down to much you will be doing more harm than good? My 0.02

I suppose I could remove the fittings from the engine and monitor my temps before I get carried away. I am just curious what I really need to install the cooler. For instance do you need a check valve ot keep the cooler from draining down each time you shut the engine off? The thermostat is probably a nessecary item, but I also found a manual bypass valve for oil coolers that dennis kirk sells.

I am at the juncture in my build up where I need to make a descision one way or another.