breather valves in top fork capbolts 49-77

xcaret · #1 05-02-2007, 05:02 PM

I was just reading my HD manual regarding the breather valves in the top fork cap bolts used from 1949-1977 .They tell you that they shouldnt leak oil out of them ,and they may cause poor snubbing action if faulty ,then the manual goes on to say they should be inspected if either of these problems occur ..Only they dont say what to inspect them for ?? I can't blow air through mine ,I put lots of Wd30 on them ,and still the same ..Since my bikes isn't on the road I dont know about how the snubbing acrtion will be ,and they don't seem to be leaking ..
Mostly I'm curious now that theres no info available from HD. I want to know how to visually and /or manually inspect these breathers ..So far I can't find anyone who has even heard of them ..The dealers are to busy to get a tech on the phone ...I realize this is minor andprobably not faulty on my bike ,and even if I wait till it's assembled I could take it for a ride and then replace the breathers if I have to ,but like I said I'm curious to know what HD doesn't tell us about these things ..

pococj · #2 05-10-2007, 01:13 AM

Sounds like yours are OK. Put 'em on and ride.

Doc 1 · #3 05-13-2007, 02:11 AM

Quote:

ORIGINAL: xcaret

I was just reading my HD manual regarding the breather valves in the top fork cap bolts used from 1949-1977 .They tell you that they shouldnt leak oil out of them ,and they may cause poor snubbing action if faulty ,then the manual goes on to say they should be inspected if either of these problems occur ..Only they dont say what to inspect them for ?? I can't blow air through mine ,I put lots of Wd30 on them ,and still the same ..Since my bikes isn't on the road I dont know about how the snubbing acrtion will be ,and they don't seem to be leaking ..
Mostly I'm curious now that theres no info available from HD. I want to know how to visually and /or manually inspect these breathers ..So far I can't find anyone who has even heard of them ..The dealers are to busy to get a tech on the phone ...I realize this is minor andprobably not faulty on my bike ,and even if I wait till it's assembled I could take it for a ride and then replace the breathers if I have to ,but like I said I'm curious to know what HD doesn't tell us about these things ..

They are a baffle that goes together in an alternating fassion....purpose is to baffle the air slowing it down to seperate the oil mist thats mixed in then the oil collects in the chambers and makes it's way back down into the froks and the air excapes...if you aligned all the baffles in a row the oil would run out of the cap nut....the baffles have to be alternated then soldered to hold them together