Temp gauge versus sensor

[bohdan]

Gents, I have read about gauges reading high. My gauge reads low and the fans come on seemingly normal. I have noticed that during riding it would be in the same position when riding. Now it’s lower. It’s a 93 aspy. Would this be sensor or gauge.? Bike seems to ride fine otherwise. Mighty. Obliged.

[Swagonmaster]

Gauges don't normally go just a little bad whereas sensors and thermostats can. Unfortunately, both of those would need to be removed to be tested properly and if you are going to that much effort it would be best to just replace them, especially the thermostat. And then we could consider the effects of poor wire connections as higher resistance wil give a lower reading on the gauge.

[DenverWinger]

Could just be the weather. If I'm just riding around town in summertime the temp gauge hovers around mid-scale. In cooler weather it only goes up to a quarter, that's where the thermostat opens, and the ambient air is cool enough that it keeps the engine coolant right at that thermostat set point. You have the thermostat regulating engine temp because the coolant in the radiators is relatively cold.