Exhaust System Topics New and old exhaust system discussions. Fitment issues to sound bites and suggestions. Post them here.

Considering a new air cleaner - opinions wanted

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 25, 2013 | 02:00 PM
  #1  
Trickasabrick's Avatar
Trickasabrick
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 324
Likes: 5
From: Louisiana
Default Considering a new air cleaner - opinions wanted

I have a pretty much stock 02 carbed Fatboy with SE II pipes. I would like to open up the intake a little and am considering an aftermarket air cleaner. I don't plan any extensive mods to the engine any time soon, but I won't rule it out down the road. I've looked at the AC's from DK Customs, K&N, S&S and SE, and I'm leaning toward the DK unit. I guess my question on it is, do the crankcase vent screens leak oily stuff on the engine, and if you have one, are you happy with it. Any other input on any setup is welcome and appreciated.
 
Reply
Old Nov 25, 2013 | 03:11 PM
  #2  
DK Custom Products's Avatar
DK Custom Products
Sponsor
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,959
Likes: 50
From: Red Banks, MS
Default

Originally Posted by Trickasabrick
I have a pretty much stock 02 carbed Fatboy with SE II pipes. I would like to open up the intake a little and am considering an aftermarket air cleaner. I don't plan any extensive mods to the engine any time soon, but I won't rule it out down the road. I've looked at the AC's from DK Customs, K&N, S&S and SE, and I'm leaning toward the DK unit. I guess my question on it is, do the crankcase vent screens leak oily stuff on the engine, and if you have one, are you happy with it. Any other input on any setup is welcome and appreciated.
The breather bolts will not leak oil on a bike that is in good performance with the correct oil level. However, if you already have a problem with oil blow by, then the breather bolts will not solve that problem. Here is the link to a thread where you can read up on the correct oil level and viscosity.

LINK

If you are worried about blow-by, you can always choose the complete breather system seen at this link...
CLICK ME
 
__________________
www.DKCustom.com
662-252-8828 Voice
662-420-4891 Text & Voice
Support@DKCustomProducts.com

Reply
Old Nov 25, 2013 | 03:24 PM
  #3  
ChickinOnaChain's Avatar
ChickinOnaChain
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 322,622
Likes: 3,077
From: .....
Default

I picked the SE Heavy Breather. When I first saw it, I hated it. But when I found out I'd need to change the AC to get pipes, I wanted an AC that looked like I changed it and not just the cover. Now, I'm glad I have it and I'd do it all over again. It doesn't look anything like the stock school bell I had. And the water sock works!
 
Reply
Old Nov 25, 2013 | 03:24 PM
  #4  
Trickasabrick's Avatar
Trickasabrick
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 324
Likes: 5
From: Louisiana
Default

I haven't had a problem with oil blow by with the stock air cleaner, however, I see from some posts that once you don't have it going into the intake, sometimes you see it more.
 
Reply
Old Nov 25, 2013 | 03:29 PM
  #5  
Trickasabrick's Avatar
Trickasabrick
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 324
Likes: 5
From: Louisiana
Default

That heavy breather def looks like it moves some air! With the mild tune of my engine, I don't really need that much flow. How does it deal with the crankcase vents?
 
Reply
Old Nov 25, 2013 | 03:54 PM
  #6  
HD Pilot's Avatar
HD Pilot
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 3,791
Likes: 57
From: N Texas
Default

Just don't get something that fits under your stock football, get an ac that stands out.
 
Reply
Old Nov 25, 2013 | 05:10 PM
  #7  
Kingofcubes's Avatar
Kingofcubes
Road Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 851
Likes: 5
From: Mitchellville, Ia.
Default A/C

Take a look at the R&R Cycle unit. This backing plate dyno'ed 4-5 more T&H than others tested. Vents to atmosphere, many options for covers.
 
Reply
Old Nov 25, 2013 | 05:45 PM
  #8  
deuce_streetbob's Avatar
deuce_streetbob
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 993
Likes: 1
From: columbus, ohio
Default

Originally Posted by Kingofcubes
Take a look at the R&R Cycle unit. This backing plate dyno'ed 4-5 more T&H than others tested. Vents to atmosphere, many options for covers.
and which part of that unit creates the extra 4-5 t&h? how is that filter doing anything different than any other? i'm going to go out on a limb and say that any filter with the stock TB or carb is going to perform almost exactly the same. most say even the stage 1 filters allow more air than the stock setup can handle. not sure if i'm buying the 4-5....now maybe when combined with all the other R&R equipment as stated in your sig....ok, pretty much an all R&R setup, then you could squeak that out.
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Nov 25, 2013 | 06:23 PM
  #9  
Trickasabrick's Avatar
Trickasabrick
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 324
Likes: 5
From: Louisiana
Default

Im not sure how the aftermarket backing plates are supposed to increase flow. Its not like there is really an airbox to restrict flow, just the filter. Maybe somebody could enlighten me?
 
Reply
Old Nov 25, 2013 | 07:09 PM
  #10  
deuce_streetbob's Avatar
deuce_streetbob
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 993
Likes: 1
From: columbus, ohio
Default

Originally Posted by Trickasabrick
Im not sure how the aftermarket backing plates are supposed to increase flow. Its not like there is really an airbox to restrict flow, just the filter. Maybe somebody could enlighten me?
i wouldnt say they increase, but as u stated there is no airbox to restrict...the filter bolts right to the plate which feeds straight into the intake. just free flowing air straight in.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:51 AM.

story-0
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-4
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-5
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-6
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE
story-9
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

Slideshow: Graeme Billington's left-hand-drive Shovelhead is as much about problem-solving as it is about classic Harley form.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-30 11:27:08


VIEW MORE