Its possible but not really needed. By the time you notice anything on the gauge: its too late. You have a temp light, a fan, a radiator and a reservoir tank and together these make a great cooling system. The temp light will be much more noticeable than a gauge.

However, if you really want a gauge check here: Universal Water Temp Gauge Kit at Motorcycle Superstore - Motorcycle Superstore

Installation is by way of a "T" fitting that you splice into your rad hose. and then connect electrical wiring. The other option would be to go purely electrical by reading resistance off the current thermosensor but that's beyond me.

G.

 

I put this bad boy on my 08' Aero....

https://www.denniskirk.com/koso-nor...merica/gp-style-universal-tachometer-w-temperature-gauge.p408814.prd/408814.sku

It gives me the two things I wanted the most, a tachometer and a temperature gauge. I installed the temperature sensor on the lower radiator hose. Keep in mind, this installation will NOT tell you the temperature of the recycling water in your engines cooling jacket. It does, however, tell you the temperature of the water after the thermostat opens up and after the water has flowed through the radiator (being that I installed it on the lower hose). In this type of installation the lower hose is preferable over the upper hose as it will still give you a temperature reading if your coolant level gets low. If you install it at the top of the upper hose, under low coolant levels, water may not touch the thermistor giving you a false reading.

A gauge can warn you well in advance of a problem IF you are one who consistently checks it but even then only if you are aware of how it reads normally. My electric fan has a thermal switch which activates at 208 degrees (mine comes on at exactly 208 but the range is 208 to 216 degrees). At higher speeds the fan is not needed. If one day I see the temperature gauge reading over 208 degrees and I don't hear the fan, I know there is a problem. The ECT (engine coolant temperature) switch/light triggers between 234 and 244 degrees so a gauge would let me know well ahead of time that there is a problem. At that point, I know I either need to shut down or keep moving to prevent overheating. You can also watch it cool down as you keep moving letting you know you're ok. Again, to use a gauge properly, you need a set of norms to go by.



You may or may not have a "thermosensor", otherwise known as a thermistor. My Aero does not. It has two thermal switches, basically on/off switches to run the fan and the temperature light. If you have fuel injection then you most certainly do have a thermistor but... tapping into it's signal could be detrimental to how well your engine runs. ECMs (engine control modules) can pick up a false reading if your connection somehow changes the resistance level it needs to read in order to adjust your fuel mixture properly. In my opinion, the radiator hose fitting is the best option.

Before I ordered my setup, I obtained an additional lower radiator hose from the Honda dealer. I did this for two reasons, first, you need to know the inside diameter of the hose to get the proper adapter. Second, I wanted a second hose on hand in case I needed to return the system back to normal, ie... I screwed up the installation, they sent the wrong size adaptor, I ordered the wrong size adaptor, the thermistor leaked or whatever... I wanted to keep downtime to a minimum as I DO LOVE TO RIDE!

Oh and... BTW... the specs I listed above are straight out of my factory service manual, your specs might be different... just saying...

 

Here is a cheap and easy solution if you just want a way to see temps occaisionally. Radiator cap with gauge=

Mr Gasket 2470S Thermocap 13psi Radiator Cap Temperature Gauge Domestic Vehicles | eBay

 

Not sure if they make these for an 1100 but this is another easy solution.

Motorcycle Accessory Design Co. - Temp-Stick

 

That Temp Stick is actually for the oil temp.

 

Yes I know, it's still a good indicator if your engine is running hot.

 

If you maintain the cooling system properly, a gauge/light is unnecessary. Failure is usually a result of inadequate/improper maint.

 

I have one of these on my snowmobile, works great. Super Slim Style Thermometer (°C) - Koso North America

You would need to purchase the kit to install it in the coolant line. Not sure how effective it would be on the bike, on the sled I can hit deeper snow if I see the temperature rising, amazing how quickly that brings it down. Can't do that on the bike.....

 

To give you an idea of the size of it, here is a pic of my sleds dash.

 

Nice writeup, sir.




'Anyway.....Toilet paper goes over the top. Only serial killers and goat touchers let it hang down'
~borrowed from Brer @vito