Steel breather valves?
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 144
Likes: 2
From: Chicago, IL
DeJavu,
Thanks for the quick reply! My 97 RK has 27K on it. I don't know much about the maintenance history of the bike, as I just picked it up this past April. I am sure the oem plastic breather valves are in need of replacement. So; I figure I might as well go with the Jims or S&S steel valves.
Thanks for the quick reply! My 97 RK has 27K on it. I don't know much about the maintenance history of the bike, as I just picked it up this past April. I am sure the oem plastic breather valves are in need of replacement. So; I figure I might as well go with the Jims or S&S steel valves.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,123
Likes: 43
From: NJ
@30K my plastic one had some wear on it but it and the case looked real good, I stayed with the plastic. I figure if it lasted 30K++ the first time I was good for another 30 and I think that the metal one would wear the cases quicker since it was harder metal than the case. I have not heard of a plastic one going bad and causing problems, I have heard of one that picked up bits of metal from another issue, they got imbeded in the plastic and scored the case really bad. I also heard of a metal one that was not shimmed correctly causing issues.
As much as I don't like plastic, I don't see a reason for a metal one in a street engine.
Ds
As much as I don't like plastic, I don't see a reason for a metal one in a street engine.
Ds
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,558
Likes: 280
From: Russellville, Arkansas
@30K my plastic one had some wear on it but it and the case looked real good, I stayed with the plastic. I figure if it lasted 30K++ the first time I was good for another 30 and I think that the metal one would wear the cases quicker since it was harder metal than the case. I have not heard of a plastic one going bad and causing problems, I have heard of one that picked up bits of metal from another issue, they got imbeded in the plastic and scored the case really bad. I also heard of a metal one that was not shimmed correctly causing issues.
As much as I don't like plastic, I don't see a reason for a metal one in a street engine.
Ds
As much as I don't like plastic, I don't see a reason for a metal one in a street engine.
Ds
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,468
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From: Bluffton, South Carolina
The plastic ones were designed to wear to a point. If by some chance something nasty got in there the theory was it would imbed in the plastic and not gouge out the opening lik it would if it were caught between two pieces of metal. We've been using the reed types with good luck so far.
John
John
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Joined: Nov 2010
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From: Big Bear City, CA
@30K my plastic one had some wear on it but it and the case looked real good, I stayed with the plastic. I figure if it lasted 30K++ the first time I was good for another 30 and I think that the metal one would wear the cases quicker since it was harder metal than the case. I have not heard of a plastic one going bad and causing problems, I have heard of one that picked up bits of metal from another issue, they got imbeded in the plastic and scored the case really bad. I also heard of a metal one that was not shimmed correctly causing issues.
As much as I don't like plastic, I don't see a reason for a metal one in a street engine.
Ds
As much as I don't like plastic, I don't see a reason for a metal one in a street engine.
Ds
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 144
Likes: 2
From: Chicago, IL
Thanks for the input everyone! Some great info posted ; ) I will give the oem plastic breather valves a look over. If they look good, I will keep them. If not, I will go with factory plastic replacement. Thanks for saving me a $100 bucks! We need every penny we can get these days 