I have 00 FXST with the HD 95CI Kit running a Mikuni 42MM with the K&N Round Filter and stock heads. A couple weeks ago I was swapping out the starter and had to drain and replace the oil. After getting it all back together, I was re-filling the fluids ( may as well do them all) and lost count of how much oil I poured into the tank. (I had a 5 year old's "help") At the time It checked out just a tad high but I took the oil lines loose as well as swapped out the filter so I figured it would be no biggie as the crankcase should have drained down some. I rode my sportbike and my Buddy rode my Softail a few days later going to a local Bike Night. We came upon some friends that wanted to play so we were happy to oblige. When we got there and parked the scoots there was oil all over the right side of the scoot from seat to pipes front to back. I removed the extra 1/2 quart with the help of a turkey baster aquired from the store next door and assumed all would be fine. Until today I've had no problems but once again I got a little frisky and oil showed up all over the side of the scoot. it is being pumped (and I mean PUMPED) out of the crankcase breather line that dumps into the air filter intake plate at high revs and or speed. SO after all that the question is this. I used the search feature and came up with a helpful line .......... When the umbrella valves start aging they allow too much oil past them and into the air cleaner. It drips out all over the bike. An older bike getting a little loose increases the problem. Riding at high speeds adds to it, also. Having too much oil in the tank can contribute to the problem. I keep my 100,000 mile Sloptail about a half quart low to help prevent the problem.
A) where are these "Umbrella Valves" and B) should a bike with 20K miles have this problem? and C) I had NO problem until I overfilled the oil. What could the overfill have damaged to start this?
I appreciate any help i can get on this. I really do not like taking my bike to the Stealership for work unless I have NO Choice. With your help hopefully I can avoid it.
Moose

 

Moose
I sort of had the same problem once, but mine was caused by a cheap oil temp gauge you stick in your tank, but back to the oil, I only run 3 qts. of oil in the tank, also I think the seals you are talking about are the one's where the tubes fit into coming out of the motor behind the breather, now don't quote me on that but I think that's right.

 

The umbrella valves will deteriorate with age as you said. And aging is a function of time, with the mileage adding to the process. So, since your bike is 5 years old, it isn't that out of the ordinary for the things to be working a little less than optimum.

Hey, I just noticed you quoted something about a "Sloptail". Is that something I wrote?

The valves are located at the end of the breather tubes in the head/rocker boxes. They're not that difficult to replace, but having the service manual would definitely be a plus. Along with replacing them there are some "fixes" that will help. I'm not familiar with them, other than one that involves installing something that raises the level of the oil in the breather area before allowing it to escape out the breathers. This means less oil particulate is in the mist.

Now, the best fix is to replace the umbrella calves with some aftermarket ones that are designed better than the MoCo ones. Install one of the other "fixes" (is one called "The Cure" or sumpin' like that?), and then route the breather hoses to a tee, and the outlet of the tee to the atmosphere, like on the old bikes.

 

Moose
I think if I were you , I would run the bike to get it warmed up, Idle it UPRIGHT for about a minute to clear excess oil out the sump and dump the oil right away. Refill it with 2 quarts because there's oil in the filter yet which should put you about 1/2 quart low and check it and go from there before you drive your self nuts.