Harley-Davidson Touring Models Are Hot. Too Hot.

One day, riding a Harley FL to test his company 7-speed transmission Bert Baker noticed how hot it was running, especially in traffic. Then he found out that the 4-quart oil capacity was unchanged on touring models since 1993 at a time when the bikes were equipped with only a 80 cubic inch motor.

Taking a closer look at the stock oil pan he also discovered that the oil pickup and return in the front of the pan were within 2 inch of each other. So, he designed a wider new oil pan with a 5-quart capacity instead of 4, and improved oil circulation by installing the pickup in the rear and the return in the front. The Baker “Plus One Oil Pan” was born. With it installed testing showed that engine oil temperature went down 10 F on a 80 F day. This oil pan is a 2-piece aircraft grade 6061-T6 aluminum with multiple integral baffles eliminating the Harley plastic baffle. It is designed to accept the True-Track or Alloy Art TXR stabilizer systems. Fit 1993-2008 FLH applications. Info and sales at Baker Drivetrain Online Store.

15 Responses to “Harley-Davidson Touring Models Are Hot. Too Hot.”


  1. 1 Brandon Apr 25th, 2010 at 2:23 pm

    How come Harley didn’t think of this. During years asleep at the switch.

  2. 2 Knucklehead Apr 25th, 2010 at 3:00 pm

    Bert is quite the thinker or doer. A lot of us have wondered. He did it.

  3. 3 ben Apr 25th, 2010 at 4:27 pm

    so, I’ve seen these new pans, and the underside oil coolers. how do they affect clearance and lean angle ability?

  4. 4 Sean Apr 25th, 2010 at 4:36 pm

    Width was increased, not depth. So clearance or lean angle was not modified.

  5. 5 Rick Mesley Apr 25th, 2010 at 4:37 pm

    Simple cool idea (pun intended)

  6. 6 ben Apr 25th, 2010 at 4:47 pm

    wouldn’t width affect lean angle? is it really worth the cost. not trying to be a smart ass, just looking for real answers.

  7. 7 Sean Apr 25th, 2010 at 5:08 pm

    Not if the extra width is towards inside. Would scrap the frame tubes first

  8. 8 Dave Blevins Apr 25th, 2010 at 9:17 pm

    This looks a good part. Very simple, very smart.

  9. 9 Woody Apr 25th, 2010 at 9:20 pm

    Another great idea from Baker! Who the heck would design the two flow points right next to each other like the OEMs? That’s like a car radiator with both hoses on the bottom! Nice catch on that Baker, and a sweet & simple solution. Any guesses on how long before H-D does that………………………

  10. 10 raycwheeler@gmail.com Apr 26th, 2010 at 1:16 am

    God job Bert. your the man.

    do you offer a skid plate?

    ray usa

  11. 11 Ian Apr 26th, 2010 at 4:22 am

    Another great idea from Baker! Who the heck would design the two flow points right next to each other like the OEMs? That’s like a car radiator with both hoses on the bottom! Nice catch on that Baker, and a sweet & simple solution. Any guesses on how long before H-D does that………………………

  12. 12 Rogue Apr 26th, 2010 at 6:19 am

    I am happy to say that I have a Baker Extra Quart Oil Pan on my 2004 FLHTI and love it.
    It is made of quality material and did noticible lower the temp of the engine.
    Just for the record after many years and thousands of miles there are No Scratch or Scrape marks on it. No it has Not hit anything and I have had the bike in some pretty good lean condition as when I rode the Dragon Tail with it.
    I can highly recommend it to everyone.

  13. 13 Rogue Apr 26th, 2010 at 6:21 am

    For those interested you can see a tech article I did on the oil pan on my website.
    http://bikerrogue.com/Articles/Tech_Articles/New_Baker_Oil_Pan/Baker_Oil_Pan.htm

  14. 14 cyclereckr Apr 26th, 2010 at 7:12 am

    I am waiting for fitment on the 2009 and later. These run even hotter!

  15. 15 Rogue Apr 26th, 2010 at 7:17 am

    Ben
    I have installed one of the BUD OIL COOLERS on my 2009 FLHTC Harley and am very happy with it.
    It does mount up inside the frame rails and no problem of it hitting. I only have about 5,000 miles on the motorcycle since I installed it but that is enouh to convince me to keep it on.
    I have done a technical article on it in Easyriders BIKER magazine number 268 – June 2010 on pages 68 & 69 for more information.
    The magazine is on the newsstands now

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Cyril Huze