Temperature issues, would a gun thermometer help?

[Easy-X]

I've seen a few threads lately about temp issues (real or imagined) and I wondered whether one of those infra red gun thermometers is in any way helpful as a diagnostic tool?

(I have one in my tool box. Can't say I've found anything useful to do with it...)
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Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

[WD Forte]

[MCN]

Less intrusive than those rectal types.
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[Easy-X]

[Howling Terror]

MCN has them all.

I strongly suspect they're perfectly lined-up on a pegboard on his garage wall.
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[Polarbear]

I haven't found much of a use for them on a bike I must admit.

I do use one regularly for cooling system issues on boats . It's easy to tell if there is a blockage/airlock. If the water pump is not doing its job or if the raw water or skin tank is not cooling.

However these are old style diesel engines with lots of space around the components so you can be pretty sure that what temp you read is from what you are aiming at.

I can't see how with a compact modern bike engine you could be sure of what temperature you are reading because the laser is just a pointer, the sensor is no where near that accurate.

They are good fun for teasing cats though.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[xX-Alex-Xx]

[jeffyjeff]

I was having some issues with rear brake drag on my R1150R. The disc would run really hot, like 160F. I was measuring with a thermocouple attachment to my multimeter. A infrared temp gun would have made getting a temp reading much quicker and less painful.
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History shows again and again how nature points out the folly of men - BOC

[BigTim]

i got infrared temp gun when we had a log burner, I've used it on bike and car for various reasons, have even used it whilst cooking. just handy to have and cheap enough.

but a thermocouple on a multimeter is better for the fiddly stuff.
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MZ S50B, Suzuki GP100, Honda CBF1000, Honda Blackbird (I like my Blackbird)

[MCN]

They are good at measuring a general temperature of a sort of general area.

Early IR temp guns came with a range of phaphery to 'calibrate the gun to the colour of the surface measured.
Different Colours emit IR more or less.

They say that modern IR guns adjust for emissivity but im not convinced.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emissivity

I don't trust them to be really effective for engine temp diagnostics.
Possibly affected by draughts caused by cooling fans too.
Measuring big things that are over 80°Centipede is not too comfy when close enough to be pointed at the bit and not everything around it.
Shoving a few thermistor probes into things is far more reliable.
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[blurredman]

[Polarbear]