Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if the thermostat fails?

This is extremely rare. It will not block oil flow; it will either flow through the cooler, the bypass, or a combination of both. It works on the viscosity principle. In ten years, we’ve only seen a couple fail!

Does the oil flow through the cooler first? 

Yes, the oil flows through the oil cooler before the oil filter. 

How much does the OilBud™ cool the oil?

You will get a 35-degree cooling differential.

Will rocks and road debris puncture the cooler?

No. The element is built with aircraft-quality extruded aluminum with a 3/32” wall thickness (see shotgun video).

How does the cooler work in stop-and-go traffic?

It works like a heat sink. The cooling elements have thousands of fins machined in them, and it’s flat and dissipates the heat even with the motorcycle sitting motionless. Conventional coolers have to have airflow through them to operate.

Can a bike lift be used with the cooler mounted under the bike?

Yes, on the Touring and Softail models, the cooler is mounted up in between the frame rails and does not stick below them. On the Dyna models, the frame is too narrow. However, the OilBud™ rear element is beefy enough and can be used as a jack point for the lift.

On the Dyna models, the element is mounted below the frame’s rails. Will the OilBud™ be in harm’s way?

No, a skid bar welded to the bottom of the right frame rail protects the oil sump on the engine. It does the same for the OilBud™ and is strong enough to use the back element as a jack point.

How much airflow is under the bike? 

We have done tests using a pitot tube and an airspeed indicator. We found that the airflow was the same on the airspeed indicator as the speed on the speedometer. However, we also checked the airflow behind the front fender where conventional coolers are mounted. The air was extremely turbulent there, making the cooler largely ineffective. 

Will the cooler affect oil pressure?

No, there is minimal restriction with the OilBud™. Also, the viscosity of the oil is better because it is cooler. 

Does the OilBud™ have a thermostat? 

Yes, it makes warm-up quicker and starts to open at about 170 degrees. 

Does the OilBud™ get in the way of the oil drain plug? 

No, however, it is close on the touring models. It is no problem if you use a 5/8” open-end wrench rather than an allen wrench.

Can a novice mechanic install the OilBud™? 

Yes, with a few hand tools. 

How much oil does the OilBud take? 

About a cup.