I've done a little research here (probably not enough) but just curious- those of you running oil temp gauges, what kind of temps do you see usually? I know there are lots of variable but I got mine installed and looks like I'm running about 170-175 after only about 10 mins of riding. I thought I've seen people on here talking about 130-140. Assuming my gauge is working properly, I just want to find out before any damage. Note--I'm still messing with the carb a bit, not sure if I might be running lean in midrange. Thanks folks

I have heard over the years that oil temperatures need to rise to 180 - 190 degrees F to evaporate out most of the moisture. Opinions vary, but oil temperatures over about 250 F are considered bad, although it is said synthetic oils survive higher temperatures. I saw on another forum the comment that a four-cylinder air-cooled engine ran oil temperatures about 100 F higher than ambient after a ten-mile run, and he felt that in the winter his oil might not get warm enough. Remember that the SAE viscosity rating is taken at 212 degrees F.

The company for whom I used to work built electronic signs. We put temperature "tell-tales" in most of the electronics. These are devices with several temperature dots which permanently darken at certain temperatures. I put one on the right side of a KLR 650 on a warm day, drove it the 30 miles to work and let it sit after it warmed, and the highest recorded temperature was the 195 degree dot.

Speaking of oil temps, has anyone ever used one of these guages?
http://www.motoshop.net/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=AUGZ130000&...
Seem like they'd be ok, although you wouldn't be able to really check it while in motion.

Edit: I probably won't be trying one for a while, since things are REALLY slow at work, just started a two week shutdown for this month, and are only scheduled to work 7 days next month.  

Some care needs to be taken when specifying temperatures, because of the use of two different scales. That's the reason I specified F (Fahrenheit) in my post. A temperature of 130 - 140 in Celsius would not be a good thing.

Personally, even though it would cost me a major effort in "rethinking" I believe the USA should convert to the Metric system of measurements. The Government attempted to do it, rather half-heartedly, a few decades ago. It is said that at least one of the Mars probes was lost because one group figured in Metric, another in English. And at least one Boeing aircraft ran out of fuel because of incorrect conversion factors between Imperial gallons and liters (in Canada).

No relevance for the thread. Just some thoughts
Well-We use the metric system all over europe. I think It's easyer to rember the ciffer 10mm than for example 7/16" But know that it has been like that all my life, never learned the other system. Soon we'll change our money to the euro-coin, 747 danish crowns for 100 euro. Hmmm Can't wait . The celsius scale I think is logic, water freeze by 0 degrees   celsius and it cooks by 100 degrees celsius, that makes sense But then again!! What happened when the German parts and the French parts of the new Airbus Plane should be connected?? OOOPPSS!! not a single connection fitted  

have a bar mounted oil temp gauge that is in cellsius
highest ive seen was 120c = 248F while at a stop light and was 100F
ambient..
last month when it was too cold (24F) to ride i went out to fire her up to charge the battery..half hour idleing the oil temp got up 125F..
the center sweep area of the gauge has only two values 50C on the low end and 120C on the high so if my math is right 185F is dead center of the gauge,perfect for cookin off the water vapors

I have fitted the temperature gauge similar to the above some years ago. Bought in Germany and in degrees Celsius. Normal riding temp. 80C, highest observed 100C at 30C ambient.

There's alot of oil mist in there.