Softail oil lines
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Road Master
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: where i'm at
Softail oil lines
Is there any GOOD reason why the Twin Cam motor has two oil lines at the top of the tank verses the Evo with all three at the bottom. I just can't get past how ugly those two lines look. I realize the one is vent and the other return....but it shouldn't matter as far as I can see.
jim
jim
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From: Texas! Ya mean there's someplace else?
Is there any GOOD reason why the Twin Cam motor has two oil lines at the top of the tank verses the Evo with all three at the bottom. I just can't get past how ugly those two lines look. I realize the one is vent and the other return....but it shouldn't matter as far as I can see.
jim
jim
Personally, being an ol' fart, I like the looks of the TC tank better than the Evo tank. It's more in keeping with the theme of the bike.
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Joined: May 2006
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From: Ohio
Agree...it looks more original. IMHO, the oil lines on the Softail look great. I would never cover them up...its part of the mechanical beauty and charm.
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Road Master
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: where i'm at
It's cosmetic. The original rigid frame oil tanks had the return & vent lines at the top. Since the whole purpose of a Sloptail is to look like a rigid frame scooter, this set-up is more "nostalgic".
Personally, being an ol' fart, I like the looks of the TC tank better than the Evo tank. It's more in keeping with the theme of the bike.
Personally, being an ol' fart, I like the looks of the TC tank better than the Evo tank. It's more in keeping with the theme of the bike.
Too big of a hassle and expense to try to find a tank and change.
jim
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From: Rochester, NY
Not sure if they actually thought about it as such. But putting the return line at the top makes good engineering sense.
With that line on top it puts hot oil on top where it gets at least 'some' (not much, but some) time to cool in the tank before its picked up again for another trip through the engine. Its also a cheap and easy way to prevent oil from "leaking" back down into the crankcase through it without the need for a check valve.
Besides if you don't like it there's no reason you can't pull the tank and have the return line fitting moved. Just remember that your going to have to add a check valve to stop the oil "leaking" back into the engine case.
You really can't do anything with the vent line. It really needs to be left up on top above the oil level. Any kind of restriction in it, like a check valve or having it "under water", so to speak, is probably not a good idea.
With that line on top it puts hot oil on top where it gets at least 'some' (not much, but some) time to cool in the tank before its picked up again for another trip through the engine. Its also a cheap and easy way to prevent oil from "leaking" back down into the crankcase through it without the need for a check valve.
Besides if you don't like it there's no reason you can't pull the tank and have the return line fitting moved. Just remember that your going to have to add a check valve to stop the oil "leaking" back into the engine case.
You really can't do anything with the vent line. It really needs to be left up on top above the oil level. Any kind of restriction in it, like a check valve or having it "under water", so to speak, is probably not a good idea.