78 550e oil pressure plate mod

[Darthjames21]

anyone ever mod the stock oil pressure plate to make a spot for an oil presuure gauge? or is there an adapter T to keep the stock switch and put in a gauge? im asking because i want to be able to see my oil pressure all the time. i know it may sound weird but i want to see how as the oil gets hot how the oil pressure changes, if it does at all. ya ya ya i can read about it but i want to actually see it with my own eyes.... ive seen adapter plates and a few home made adapter plates on google, but i would like to see about modyfing the stock plate. as i have like 8 of them. thanks for any help. rubber side down!!!

[Nessism]

Do any of your spare adapter plates have the later year boss for a temp sensor? If so you can tap in there. A more conventional location to tap into the oil flow is the oil galley plug on the lower RH side of the cylinder. Over the years there have been guys that sold a replacement plug that's pretapped for a gauge, or you can drill and tap the stock plug yourself. I did just that and it worked fine.

What you'll find is that the oil pressure is very low. Once the oil warms up the pressure will barely register, which is perfectly normal. The GS oil pump system is bullet proof and just about the only thing that can mess it up is a problem with your clutch hub...or if your aftermarket pressure gauge springs a leak. I removed mine for just such a concern.

[xkaes]

I'll throw this idea out for what it's worth.

On my bikes, I have Lockhart oil coolers. Each cooler came with a replacement/adapter oil pressure plate. It's just like the original, but has TWO small metal tubes (1/4"??) for the rubber INTAKE and OUPUT oil lines going to the cooler.

If you can find one of these, it should be easy to adapter to your needs. I have no idea about other oil coolers, but there might be some out there.

Probably easier would be your idea of unscrewing the sensor and getting a T-joint of the same size. I would think the AIR-TOOL section of an auto-supply shop would give you lots of options.

[Darthjames21]

All my.parts are from 78 and 79 models. Happen to have a pic of where you tapped into on the head?

[Grimly]

If you end up adapting a pressure switch plate, or manage to get hold of one for an oil cooler take-off - make sure you don't block off the flow and return arrangement. That way lies engine death.

[xkaes]

Here's photo with the original oil pressure plate on the left (disconnected), and the Lockhart oil pressure plate on the right (connected):

oilpressure.jpg

The Lockhart has the sensor on the side, and two threaded outlets (and adapters) to connect to the oil cooler tubes.

[allojohn]

As Ed said, use the oil galley on the right side to the rear of the cylinder... this will bolt straight in.

[xkaes]

Here's what they are talking about -- #27 -- Oil Check plug. I can't say I've ever noticed it. I've always used the round window to check the oil. How and why would you use this to check the oil????

crankcase.jpg

[Grimly]

A kind of cack-handed way of designating it as a pressure /temp test point.

[Nessism]

Hum. I might still have the plug and gauge I used. I'll have to check. Those junky VDO gauges don't go back to zero after a while so there's that. And if the bike tips over on the RH side you may bust the gauge which means calling a truck to come get the bike (or, bring a stock plug in your tool kit and change it out on the fly.)

[Darthjames21]

As Ed said, use the oil galley on the right side to the rear of the cylinder... this will bolt straight in.

Thats the 1 i was thinking of doing. At least to start as it will have the correct adapter. Maybe do a different gage if the orginal 1 fails.

[xkaes]

I'd still like to know what the "OIL CHECK" plug is there for. How and why would you use that to check the oil?

[Nessism]

I'd still like to know what the "OIL CHECK" plug is there for. How and why would you use that to check the oil?

OIL CHECK plug so the oil pressure can be checked (tested.)

oil pressure test.jpg

[Darthjames21]

Here is a laugh for you all..... So i was looking for the test plug on my 650 the other day. Didnt see it. Looked at my gs250. Didnt see it. Looked at my 550s. Found it lol i thought my 650 was my 550...... And i was sober looking lol. Was a long day and my brain wasnt working.