[MDairheads] Oil Cooling / Engine Heat Thoughts

[Kevin Fahey]

Howdy All,


Taking a break from the heat to watch some World Cup soccer.  And speaking of heat, as I get closer to putting the R80 on the road, how well do Airhead engines manage the heat they generate?  Other air-cooled bikes I've had were hit and miss...some shed heat real well as long as moving forward but were really terrible performers in stop & go / city traffic...others you couldn't get to overheat if you blasted them with a blowtorch.


Part hunting on eBay, I've seen the occasional stock oil coolers from R100s, etc and wondered how much value they are in terms of heat management.  Obviously the bike has to be moving for them to be fully effective but they do get oil from a hot block to cooler air even when standing at a stop light.


R80 going smoothly...serviced front suspension, swapped in progressive springs, handlebars, grips, front brakes rebuilt.  Cleaning up rusty corroded spokes / front hub currently.  Clean up of rear wheel/hub is about the only major item left.  Front caliper weeps a little from metal brake line fitting...may have to consider new line.


Heat issue has been on my mind due to the current temps and due to the idea that most of my preliminary riding will be commuting and local area shakedown rides to catch whatever gremlins I've missed.


Kevin