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Recently retrofitted a Miluakee 8 style stage 1 air cleaner to my 09 Electra glide. Machined a billet backing plate to mate to my throttle body. Removed the factory breathers and fabricated a bridge between the heads out if stainless going into a remote breather filter. Anyway, I keep having a problem with the breather bolts in the heads loosening. Used loctite. I'm thinking the added weight of the billet backing plate is the culprit. I've seen many if the heavy breather type air cleaner that hang out quite a bit and was just curious as to what type of support system they utilize to hold up the extra weight of the extended style air cleaners. Thanks in advance for any input. Mike
Have you tried a lock washer? They have different styles (spring, tooth) so one of them should work for you. I've had good luck with them in other (high vibration) applications.
I have had a Screamin' Eagle Heavy Breather on a couple bikes and still do on a Road King. The mounting hardware is fairly substantial and on this bike set against the carb and again at each cylinder by stout stuff. Have you considered getting something designed to work with your bike and not against it?
Here is a pic if that will help. Best of luck.
Last edited by nobodyknowsme; Nov 5, 2017 at 07:47 PM.
It doesn't work against the bike. Actually gained 3 HP with the backing plate design. I do have a substantial mounting set up. Was just curious of what these heavy breathers use to support the extra weight. Thanks, Mike
If I did my '04 RK's Stage 1 over, I'd keep the stock air cleaner assembly and just install a K&N filter instead of using the heavier SE setup.
Are the Loctited surfaces clean and dry with enough torque on the mounting/breather bolts?
Yes, all the surface were prepped well. I think when you hop up these things with cams, compression, and more horsepower the standard Harley vibration just gets magnified. I'll figure it out and fix the problem. New to this HD stuff, but not to high performance vehicles. Thanks for the input. Mike
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Air cleaner weight question
