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Engine Mechanical TopicsDiscussion for motor builds, cams, head work, stripped bolts and other engine related issues. The good and the bad. If it goes round and around or up and down, post it here.
I've decided to return to the old school or at least "original school" air cleaner assembly on my 2002 Fat Boy with CV carb. Call it nostalgia I guess now that I've owned it over 20 years.
Using all the OE stuff including the backing plate is there a better way to vent the crank case then into the air filter like stock?
Yes, and your bike will thank you for that hot, oily, oxygen depleted air not being fed into the combustion chambers thru the carb.
Here are a couple of kits that will work with your OEM air cleaner.
I was thinking that the thing wouldn't have to be emptied too often so inside wouldn't be a big deal. We're talking a 20 year old bike with about 46k miles on it so there isn't a big yearly average. But if I can run that cover without the OEM back that should free up some room for other crankcase breather options, correct?
Yes, what I have been saying. If ring seal is good, you should not have to empty the catch can often depending on ring seal and mileage. I have attached a photo of my DIY venting; an enclosed slotted catch can filled with the same media used in the OEM breather units. The little has slots to allow vapor to pass, the media catches the wet stuff in the vapor and the two halves of the can screw together so it can be taken apart to replace the media. Never leaks, I just change media periodically.
Big thanks to Screamin beagle, djl and now DK Customs. Thanks to the suggestions I took the backer from a Roland Sands turbine air cleaner that just came off the bike. I did remove those integrated rubber vent tubes before installation on the bike. Was able to mount a stock paper filter that was on hand with the cover bracket. Lo and behold the stock cover now fits. As the last photo shows, plenty of room now for pretty much anything I want to use for crank case breathers.
I was considering staying with a paper filter but will probably get a washable since I've got plenty of cleaner and oil on hand anyway.
Note to DK - the bike has actually had vents on it since probably 2005. Braided steel that vented down to the ground. But after all these years they're pretty ratty looking. Since you chimed in to help I went ahead and ordered a new breather kit as a thank you.
Well, there ya go. Toss the paper filter and replace with K&N washable; one that will flow more air. Now you can come up the venting solution, or which there are many and DK Ciustoms had several options.
Well, there ya go. Toss the paper filter and replace with K&N washable; one that will flow more air. Now you can come up the venting solution, or which there are many and DK Ciustoms had several options.
I'm on it. Just ordered a breather kit from DK. Washable filter is also on order. Thanks again!
Still waiting to button this project up. The DK Custom crankcase vent kit is installed. Ordered a washable filter. It was supposed to be a replacement for the stock 29461-99. It wasn't. The flange on the back side of the filter was too short to mate up with the backplate properly. So much for the $20 eBay deal. Sent it back a half hour after it arrived.
Went directly to K&N's website and ordered one. Fortunately on sale so didn't sting quite as much. Sometimes a bargain or the low budget way isn't always such a bargain.
Stock filter on left, eBay special on right.
Still waiting to button this project up. The DK Custom crankcase vent kit is installed. Ordered a washable filter. It was supposed to be a replacement for the stock 29461-99. It wasn't. The flange on the back side of the filter was too short to mate up with the backplate properly. So much for the $20 eBay deal. Sent it back a half hour after it arrived.
Went directly to K&N's website and ordered one. Fortunately on sale so didn't sting quite as much. Sometimes a bargain or the low budget way isn't always such a bargain.
Stock filter on left, eBay special on right.
Some of those cheap chinese washables don't flow any better than the stock paper filters. I have firsthand knowledge of this. Probably a good thing it didn't fit. Stick with k&n or greene.
Some of those cheap chinese washables don't flow any better than the stock paper filters. I have firsthand knowledge of this. Probably a good thing it didn't fit. Stick with k&n or greene.
I should have known better. A K&N was ordered direct from their website same day that I sent the other one back. On sale so it was $52 instead of $65.
Then I went and found the correct part number Green for $29 new in box on eBay so that's on order. Green is going for $85 to $100 plus elsewhere online.
Last edited by 2goldens; Dec 10, 2022 at 08:08 AM.
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