Touring Models Road King, Road King Custom, Road King Classic, Road Glide, Street Glide, Electra Glide, Electra Glide Classic, and Electra Glide Ultra Classic bikes.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Finally did my breather bypass (pics included)

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 28, 2017 | 09:21 PM
  #521  
bill from tn's Avatar
bill from tn
Road Master
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 798
Likes: 407
From: Middle Tennessee
Default

This is my version of the bypass.






I used a 45 elbow on the rear port to route the lines out and away from the throttle body and to get the rear hose to drop vertically.
I could never get just the hoses to hang true enough to get the filter to hang vertical.
I used some 90 degree vacuum/heater hose elbows to get the hose to hang like I wanted.


 
Reply
Old Jul 28, 2017 | 09:36 PM
  #522  
c_mancuyas8's Avatar
c_mancuyas8
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 308
Likes: 26
From: Greenwood, SC
Default

That looks great! Nice job
 
Reply
Old Jul 28, 2017 | 09:37 PM
  #523  
Road Star's Avatar
Road Star
Seasoned HDF Member
Veteran: Marine Corps
10 Year Member
Liked
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 6,667
Likes: 502
From: Orange County
Default

Originally Posted by bill from tn
This is my version of the bypass.






I used a 45 elbow on the rear port to route the lines out and away from the throttle body and to get the rear hose to drop vertically.
I could never get just the hoses to hang true enough to get the filter to hang vertical.
I used some 90 degree vacuum/heater hose elbows to get the hose to hang like I wanted.


Looks good.
 
Reply
Old Jul 29, 2017 | 07:10 AM
  #524  
rgrecco's Avatar
rgrecco
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 779
Likes: 44
From: Fredericksburg, VA
Default

Maybe a dumb question here...

Why run a filter on the end if you are venting under the bike when it will eventually just cake up? Why not just run an open tube?

Keep the Critters out or does it actually serve a purpose?
 
Reply
Old Jul 29, 2017 | 08:19 AM
  #525  
hardheaded's Avatar
hardheaded
Seasoned HDF Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 11,210
Likes: 3,040
From: St.Louis Mo.
Default

Originally Posted by 94 ultra
I like that option
i like this ! where did you route the hose going to the ground ? pic's ?
 
Reply
Old Jul 29, 2017 | 08:33 AM
  #526  
Iceman24's Avatar
Iceman24
Seasoned HDF Member
Veteran: Air Force
15 Year Member
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 25,292
Likes: 2,427
From: Eastern NE
Default

Originally Posted by fiv_oh_po_po
Maybe a dumb question here...

Why run a filter on the end if you are venting under the bike when it will eventually just cake up? Why not just run an open tube?

Keep the Critters out or does it actually serve a purpose?
There's never a dumb question...open-ended line would drip oil all over...filter acts as a "catch can."
 
Reply
Old Jul 29, 2017 | 09:43 AM
  #527  
bill from tn's Avatar
bill from tn
Road Master
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 798
Likes: 407
From: Middle Tennessee
Default

Originally Posted by fiv_oh_po_po
Maybe a dumb question here...

Why run a filter on the end if you are venting under the bike when it will eventually just cake up? Why not just run an open tube?

Keep the Critters out or does it actually serve a purpose?
Like Iceman said, the filter should catch the dribble of oil. If not I will replace it with a small solid catch can from DK Customs.

The filter will need to be cleaned occasionally, I hope it can last from one oil change to the next. If not, the above mentioned catch can should contain anything the engine spews. If the catch can fills in short order, I have bigger issues.
I put a squeeze clamp on the filter hose to allow it to come off easily when needed.

I have only ridden it twice with this setup, one with temps in the mid 90's, and it held together. Will report in a month or so to let everyone know how it does over several miles.

Several reasons I didn't just run it to open atmosphere.

If you leave an open tube anywhere, spiders and dirt dobbers can nest in them and clog them. Condensate drains sometimes are clogged this way.

I didn't want oil spewing back on the swing arm, rear tire, and everything behind the open hose.

I tried running the tube under the bike and was going to put the filter on the end of the tube but I could never find a way to route the tube and keep it off of the exhaust and make it look like I wanted. I like the look of the small filter too.

I can monitor the amount of oil I am catching and decide if it is excessive.

Some installation notes.
I drilled and tapped the ports in the backing plate that dump inside the breather with a 1/4-20 tap and put 1/4-20 set screws in those tapped holes. Loctite and bottom those screws in the tapped hole. You do not want them coming out.
Some use high temp RTV and that is good too. I like the solid seal a screw gave me.

Use a fresh gasket and O rings. You can get those at the dealership.
I spent more hours than I want to admit trying to route hose to my satisfaction. I tried using the braided steel lines I bought in the kit from DK Customs and it was so stiff I gave up on it.

After stepping back and also looking at some pics of other riders ideas, I went with the elbows and 3/8" hose. I found that I could adjust the hose under the breather to get the filter to hang centered.

Worth mentioning. This all started after a recent oil change. I do my service and always add 3 quarts at oil changes. This puts me at the halfway mark on the dipstick.
I checked the oil level recently while hot and noticed the level was at about the 3/4 full spot. Not sure why I have more oil than normal, maybe I didn't get a complete drain at the last change. A few ounces would make a difference on the stick and that may be the cause of my blow by.

I had a noticeable power bump on the first ride. I did not expect one and was surprised by it. I didn't notice it so much on the second ride but who knows.

It makes sense to keep this oil fouled, hot, oxygen depleted air out of your intake stream.
 
Reply
Old Jul 29, 2017 | 10:39 AM
  #528  
rgrecco's Avatar
rgrecco
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 779
Likes: 44
From: Fredericksburg, VA
Default

Originally Posted by bill from tn
This is my version of the bypass.






I used a 45 elbow on the rear port to route the lines out and away from the throttle body and to get the rear hose to drop vertically.
I could never get just the hoses to hang true enough to get the filter to hang vertical.
I used some 90 degree vacuum/heater hose elbows to get the hose to hang like I wanted.


I wonder how well this method would work with the Stock "Football" Cover and the Round SE Stage 1 Kit w/ K&N Round Filter...

Anyone tried it or have a similar setup? I do like the way this one looks... I just don't know if I have the tools to drill the plate strait..
 
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 Jul 29, 2017 | 11:45 AM
  #529  
longrideshields-2's Avatar
longrideshields-2
Premium Sponsor
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 967
Likes: 40
From: Reno, NV
Default

We have been doing this ever since H-D, thanks to EPA/CARB has gotten more strict with their stupid regulations. H-D had to dump breather gases back into the air cleaner to have cleaner air.... And everyone has shown the result of this brilliant idea. Anyone with any sense knows that a well tuned motor, makes for less emissions. Running your breather system into a K&N filter, using Chevron fuel, some Marvel Mystery Oil treatment and replacing you plugs every 5K (Bosch Platinum), will help to keep your motor running clean.
https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C...05535446630872
 
__________________
LONG RIDE SHIELDS

www.longrideshields.com


Reply
Old Jul 29, 2017 | 03:11 PM
  #530  
bill from tn's Avatar
bill from tn
Road Master
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 798
Likes: 407
From: Middle Tennessee
Default

Originally Posted by rgrecco
I wonder how well this method would work with the Stock "Football" Cover and the Round SE Stage 1 Kit w/ K&N Round Filter...

Anyone tried it or have a similar setup? I do like the way this one looks... I just don't know if I have the tools to drill the plate strait..




Contact DK Customs. They have a kit for every breather setup. Mine works for a breather that mounts with sandoffs to the rocker boxes. Some mount differently, including the stock mount with a football cover.


I am using an SE Ventilator, your stock breather needs a different setup. I believe yours may be just a bolt on with no drilling and tapping involved.


Take a look here:
http://www.dkcustomproducts.com/All-...ngines_c76.htm
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:53 PM.

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