85 fxef
Novice
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Monterey CA
1985 FXEF with No Oil Filter
My 85 FXEF is a great bike, love riding it - recently put a retro solo seat on it and the stance is perfect - old school 50's style. But i have one issue I cannot figure out - when I bought it used I did not notice that it was missing the oil filter. For the life of me I cannot understand why especially since the service manual and owners manual refer to one. Why would anyone remove it. To make matters worse - The oil hose that would normally go to the air filter - hangs down like an old 50's Ford flathead crankcase draft tube. If I don't get the bike to turn over right away - and the starter turns over too long - the bike pukes oil onto the road or driveway. To make matters even more worse - I cannot figure where the original oil filter would fit - even if I wanted to re-install it, which I do. According to the service manual its original location is behind the tranny and under the oil pan - yet I see no room for one there? Any suggestions or advice is appreciated. Thanks
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: usa
your oil filter should be located under the bike in front of the rear wheel there is not much room there but it fits, if its not there buy one from JP Cycle or something never run without a filter. the oil breather hose on mine also hangs down near the oil filter i put a cheap breather filter from JP on mine, as far as oil puking out mine does the samething if i let it sit for extented time, theres a check ball in the oil pump that may need to be reseated whice will prevent the oil from filling the crankcase well sitting.
Novice
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Monterey CA
your oil filter should be located under the bike in front of the rear wheel there is not much room there but it fits, if its not there buy one from JP Cycle or something never run without a filter. the oil breather hose on mine also hangs down near the oil filter i put a cheap breather filter from JP on mine, as far as oil puking out mine does the samething if i let it sit for extented time, theres a check ball in the oil pump that may need to be reseated whice will prevent the oil from filling the crankcase well sitting.
Thanks for the quick reply. I think I'll pull the oil pump and check it - the breather filter is a good idea. I might also run the oil hose up above the oil tank, make it harder to "puke" yet still breath. I believe the original set up had it going into the air filter anyway to vent to the atmosphere. Thanks again
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,202
Likes: 3,089
From: NW AR
You don't have to pull the oil pump to clean out the ball thingie. Wait for your shop manual. What most of us do with the breather hose is run it down and put a little filter on the end (optional).
Bama, I've never heard of proper DoT 5 brake fluid gelling up. Unless someone put some DoT 3 in there with it, in which case, yeah, it will do that. Our bikes take DoT 5. It is some good stuff. I would never go to DoT 3 on anything I didn't have to. I'm now putting it in all my hydraulic clutches (trucks, cars, etc.)
Bama, I've never heard of proper DoT 5 brake fluid gelling up. Unless someone put some DoT 3 in there with it, in which case, yeah, it will do that. Our bikes take DoT 5. It is some good stuff. I would never go to DoT 3 on anything I didn't have to. I'm now putting it in all my hydraulic clutches (trucks, cars, etc.)
Novice
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Monterey CA
30 amp circuit breaker location
Anyone ever re-locate the main circuit breaker - move it away from the battery - perhaps attach it to the ignition module in front? I would like to do this but before I do - thought I would ask. Thanks
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,856
Likes: 127
From: Middle of Kansas
What do you guys recomend for grease on the caliper pins? My 99 Softail manual says nothing about greasing the pins. I have always just put them back dry. Never had a problem, but if they need grease I should do that.
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Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 643
Likes: 3
From: in the fast lane
i have been runing an 85 fxef for allmost 8 years . a glass matt battery is your best option as they are inclined to boil off the acid in standard batterys keep an eye on the acid level . gel ones cant take the vibes . the rectifier plug can come loose from the generator too . the later version is a tighter fit so that cant happen . gear box seals can go in them too you will see a pool of oil under the bike . they loose oil over time anyway when stood for a long time . its the best bike i ever owned i will never sell it but i fit newer improved parts like a cv carb and newer chargeing parts . you can fit a kick start too not a lot of bucks for a lot of cool . enjoy your new ride and dont change down into 3rd gear untill your under 30 mph as its hard on the front sprocket retaing nut and can loosen it up .