Dakota Digital Temperature Gauge Install - Hot Bike Baggers Magazine

Oil Bud/Dakota Digital Install Part Two
Last month we installed the Oil Bud oil cooler on our '02 Road King and now we are back to mount the digital temperature gauge from Dakota Digital so we can check the temp of the bike on the fly. The kit from Dakota Digital is well thought out, simple to install, and good looking. All of the wiring and needed connectors were included along with easy-to-follow directions.

We decided that we wanted the gauge to not take over the smooth look of the bike's Burly Knuckle Bars, so we mounted the gauge pod further down on the bike. After searching, we found a perfect spot on the Lindby Custom engine guard. The location was unobtrusive and out of the way, yet it could be glanced at over the Road King's fuel tank while riding.

This was a very straightforward installation due to the fact that the Oil Bud already had a temp sender port built in for Harleys that have an OE temperature gauge, so wiring up an aftermarket one for a Road King was a snap.

After the Oil Bud and Dakota Digital Gauge were installed and ridden, we found an average decrease in the oil operating temperature of 33 degrees. Not bad for a couple of bolt-on parts that could prolong the life of your engine for many years.

(1.)These are the parts we received from Dakota Digital. The 1 7/8-inch oil temp gauge with wiring (MCL-4073 $189), Oil Temp Sender (SEN-1043 $25), 1 7/8-inch gauge cup (4001 $75) and a 1-inch bar mount (BTK-3100 $60).
(1.)These are the parts we received from Dakota Digital. The 1 7/8-inch oil temp gauge wit
(2.)The chrome-plated 1-inch bar mount was clamped to the top of the engine guard and tightened to Dakota Digital's specifications.
(2.)The chrome-plated 1-inch bar mount was clamped to the top of the engine guard and tigh
(3.)The 1 7/8-inch mini-cup mount was attached to the clamp with a hidden internal screw.

(4.)The wiring loom was plugged into the back of the gauge. Then the black ground wire was attached to the rear of the gauge and tightened.
(4.)The wiring loom was plugged into the back of the gauge. Then the black ground wire was
(5.)The wiring loom was threaded through an opening in the bottom of the cup and the gauge was slid in and secured to the mounting cup with a single bolt.
(5.)The wiring loom was threaded through an opening in the bottom of the cup and the gauge
(6.)The Oil Bud's 1/8-inch NPT plug (arrow) was removed and replaced with the Dakota Digital temperature sender probe.
(6.)The Oil Bud's 1/8-inch NPT plug (arrow) was removed and replaced with the Dakota Digit

(7.)A better look at the temperature sender probe (left) and the Oil Bud NPT plug shows just how different they are.
(7.)A better look at the temperature sender probe (left) and the Oil Bud NPT plug shows ju
(8.)After we removed the oil filter from the Oil Bud filter adapter for better access, we installed the temp sender probe unit (arrow) into the Oil Bud adapter using threadlocker.
(8.)After we removed the oil filter from the Oil Bud filter adapter for better access, we
(9.)Once the oil filter was reinstalled, we ran the grey temp sensor wire from the Dakota Digital gauge to the Oil Bud filter adapter for measurement. We then attached the plug onto the wire and mounted it to the probe.
(9.)Once the oil filter was reinstalled, we ran the grey temp sensor wire from the Dakota

(10.)We gathered all of the other wires into a protective sheath and ran the gauge's power and ground wires underneath the fuel tank to the battery.
(10.)We gathered all of the other wires into a protective sheath and ran the gauge's power
(11.)Once the power was hooked up to the battery, we started the bike and took it out for a ride. This is how it looked while in the riding position.
(11.)Once the power was hooked up to the battery, we started the bike and took it out for