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Question for those who have done the external crank breather
General Topics/Tech TipsDiscussion on break in periods, rider comfort, seats and pad suggestions. Tech tips as they become available will be posted here.
Question for those who have done the external crank breather
After I get the bike back from the indy , I plan on adding an external breather kit to my Big Sucker intake . I'm going to have to drill and tap new holes since these air filters aren't designed for a kit . .
If anyone has any suggestions on size of adapters and hose that should be used , that would be great . More importantly , I'm not sure as to what kind of filter I should put on it . I've seen very nice chrome canisters with a filter mounted to it that look pretty good , as well as just the simple chrome filter . I know I can get it done , but just not sure what to use , looking for advice .
Another option , would be to use the breather bolts , if they make them for the Big Sucker , any opinions on this method , are they any good ?
I used breather bolts on my big sucker and bought the hoses, clamps and catch can from DK Customs. They have worked flawless for quite a few years now. Didnt feel like drilling when this was an option.
I used breather bolts on my big sucker and bought the hoses, clamps and catch can from DK Customs. They have worked flawless for quite a few years now. Didnt feel like drilling when this was an option.
Thanks for responding , if there is a way I can do this without having to drill into the backing plate , I'm in . I'll have to look at DK's and see what they offer .
Next question , Should I go with the filter or a catch can ? Is the only purpose for the catch can is so you don't have to keep replacing the filter , educate me please .
Here is my goofy 2 cents. I had a Big Sucker but didn't want to mess with drilling and tapping. I bought a Vance and Hines VO2 air cleaner which is a different design. You can easily re-route the breather hoses down to a catch can, or mini aspirin bottle painted black in my case. It is tiny and hangs there nicely. I dump it every 100 miles or so and get a teaspoon of oil/water chocolate milk mix out of it.
Or you could run the tube to atmosphere with no filter or catch can and ride the bike to one of those save the planet/climate change rallies and rev the engine upon arrival, thereby spewing blow by oil onto the ground. In all seriousness, I vented my previous twin cams as well as my M8 and have the tube vented to atmosphere under the frame with no catch can. Has not been an issue for me. I did drill the TC backplate, but on the M8 I used tubing off the bolts without drilling
Once I get the bike back from the shop , I'm going to take a close look at the air cleaner and see if I can just get away with buying new breather bolts with a 90* turn , then decide on where I run the line . I'd like it to be unnoticeable , so 'I'll probably try to find a place up front on the frame or down low towards the rear . I'm just having concerns about oil misting out all over the bike or tires , leaning towards a catch can that I can empty every once in awhile . Was thinking of making my own and designing a bracket once I decide where to mount mount it .
I do keep my oil level slightly less on the dip stick to prevent oil from saturating the filter , so far it has not been an issue , so running the hose to the atmosphere shouldn't be a problem .
I've been reading , the best way to route the hose is to not have it higher than the breather bolts themselves . Having the hose higher would cause the oil to drain back into the hose and defeat the purpose or cause bigger issues . Hope my thinking is correct here .
Here is my goofy 2 cents. I had a Big Sucker but didn't want to mess with drilling and tapping. I bought a Vance and Hines VO2 air cleaner which is a different design. You can easily re-route the breather hoses down to a catch can, or mini aspirin bottle painted black in my case. It is tiny and hangs there nicely. I dump it every 100 miles or so and get a teaspoon of oil/water chocolate milk mix out of it.
I have to ask , does that pill bottle just have the hose going into it , or do you have some sort of filter inside it ? Are there smaller holes drilled into the lid so air can escape ? Seriously considering making my own can .
I drilled a hole in the middle of the cap for the hose to go through. It's nice and tight so the hose stays in there by itself with no issues. I drilled several small holes around the circumference of the cap so it can vent. No filter in there..just an empty bottle. I dump it out every other ride or so. Works great.
Thank-you , that's great information . Tomorrow I plan on heading down to Princess Auto , Canadian version of Harbor Freight , there's no doubt in my mind I'll find something to make a can with , plus they have all the fittings and hose I need . I just need the bike back to get it done .
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Question for those who have done the external crank breather
