DK Custom Billet Tank Lifts - New Sizes & Finish - Q&A

[PosseRider]

Sorry I can't help you,but I'm sure someone will chime in. I also installed that lift on my 16,but, I am in the minority as I did not like the look. So took it back off & put in a box. Guess it will stay there. Hope you find some answers.

[DK Custom Products]

Since the title says Q and A..

I installed the 1.5 inch with deluxe option on a 2010 Triglide. I followed directions and a few youtube videos. Went together fine, took about half an hour or so since I like to take time. Went for about 80 mile test right on the interstate and my bike overheated, 70 mph with the cruise control on. It was actually running hotter with the tank lift (oil temp was 230 when I got home).

I've checked my oil level, confirmed everything is nice and tight, basically went over the whole thing again, and everything looks good. Another test ride, and it heated up much quicker than normal. The second test ride wasn't as strenuous, mostly surface streets averaging about 40mph.

Is this common? There's not a lot I can troubleshoot honestly and I like the look so I'd really like to figure out what the problem is. As always, any help is certainly appreciated.

There is less heat being trapped by the tank sitting lower than the top of the rocker covers, and there is more air being pushed under the tank and across the engine. It is a physical impossibility for your engine to run hotter with a tank lift installed than without one your 2010 Tri Glide (with everything else being equal).

Since that is the case, I would look at two things-

1. Is it possible that the ambient temps are different between when running with and without the tank lift, resulting in different temperatures. btw, 230 degrees after an 80 mile run at 70 mph is not nearly as hot as you would see on most stock Twin Cam Tri Glides, it sounds like you have a few things done to cool it down, or maybe the ambient temp was not very high.

2. If the ambient temps are the same and the oil is hotter than before, given the same run, then something else changed that caused it. I don't know what all is on your bike, or where to really point you. If you want to share here, or you are welcome to email or call us and let us know, and we can give some ideas.

Probably the first thing I would look at is your oil cooler. See if a paper, or anything else dropped down near it that is blocking the air from freely flowing thru the fins. Also check to make sure none of the hoses are kinked.

There could be any number of things, but let us know how your Trike is outfitted and we'll give some ideas of things to check.

Kevin

[ROAD DOG]

Sorry I can't help you,but I'm sure someone will chime in. I also installed that lift on my 16,but, I am in the minority as I did not like the look. So took it back off & put in a box. Guess it will stay there. Hope you find some answers.

Same hear all the hoses and wires showing UGLY

[DK Custom Products]

Sure enough, there are extra wires and hoses showing

Extra chrome too



As far as looks, everyone has their own tastes.

Regardless of looks, primarily I do it to get the extra cooling.

Kevin

[Ecxelsior]

All good ideas, and all things I checked. (There's no nice way to say that is there? ). I took a few days to just tinker on the bike and checked some other things in the process. I think I was actually overreacting, which we all know can be turned funny with some hindsight. I've looked and asked around, and you're right, 230 isn't that hot after 70mph. The day was a bit warmer than previous but not by a significant but still all things considered, just around 80 and Tx spring time temps can be in the 70s on a lot of days.

To be honest, I'm also not used to looking at my temp gauge unless I'm sitting in stop and go traffic for quite a while. My conclusion is that it was a case of cranial rectumitis brought on by the constant downard angling of my head, instead of looking up and enjoying what was actually quite a nice ride.

Downsides? Not the fault of the machine. I have a chrome(ish) fuel door, and the 1.5 inches brought the tank up just enough that the sun hits it in the right spot to get in my eyes. Easy fix, matte black cover already ordered. Was going to replace it anyway, so that's all good. I'll also be removing the "deluxe option" until I get a new seat because the way it repositions gets a bit uncomfortable. Hey, do I *really* need a reason to buy new stuff?

My wife says yes.

Thanks for looking and responding. I hope my tantrum made you chuckle.

[DK Custom Products]

All good ideas, and all things I checked. (There's no nice way to say that is there? ). I took a few days to just tinker on the bike and checked some other things in the process. I think I was actually overreacting, which we all know can be turned funny with some hindsight. I've looked and asked around, and you're right, 230 isn't that hot after 70mph. The day was a bit warmer than previous but not by a significant but still all things considered, just around 80 and Tx spring time temps can be in the 70s on a lot of days.

To be honest, I'm also not used to looking at my temp gauge unless I'm sitting in stop and go traffic for quite a while. My conclusion is that it was a case of cranial rectumitis brought on by the constant downard angling of my head, instead of looking up and enjoying what was actually quite a nice ride.

Downsides? Not the fault of the machine. I have a chrome(ish) fuel door, and the 1.5 inches brought the tank up just enough that the sun hits it in the right spot to get in my eyes. Easy fix, matte black cover already ordered. Was going to replace it anyway, so that's all good. I'll also be removing the "deluxe option" until I get a new seat because the way it repositions gets a bit uncomfortable. Hey, do I *really* need a reason to buy new stuff?

My wife says yes.

Thanks for looking and responding. I hope my tantrum made you chuckle.

Yeah, lots of folks don't look at their temp gauge much...in fact, most don't. I'm just really keyed in on it because my first Tri Glide engine had to be rebuilt under warranty due to excessive heat (in the first 10K miles)...and since then I have talked to hundreds of others that have had anywhere from mild to serious heat damage to their engines.

Dyna and Softails guys really like that extra benefit of the changed tank angle, cause they can see their instrument cluster easier...but on the Touring bikes, with that big domed gas cap, depending on how you sit, it can get really bright. Sounds like you have a good solution to that!

I hear ya on the "clearance" issue. On the Touring bikes the Deluxe option does not bother me at all...BUT, on my Heritage the Deluxe option came off after 50 miles!

Kevin

[DK Custom Products]

Go HERE to See DK Custom Tank Lift Kits

[DK Custom Products]

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