blow-by on pipes?
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Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,739
Likes: 153
From: Fayetteville, NC
blow-by on pipes?
Unfortunately, couldn't get any pics. 2013 SG with 2300 miles…rode today/only second time this winter. I'm getting very small specs/dots of black on my pipes on the right side---they don't seem to be wet---will find a few specs on the right saddlebag too. These specs go all the way to the very end of the right side slip on.
Checked left side….very minimal, but just a couple specs on the primary. All are very easy to just wipe off with minimal effort. My neighbor said his does this during winter or right after winter when he's had his bike stored for a while and said it comes from the oil just sitting in his oil cooler.
I'm not too sure, so wanted to see what you guys thought. It's not a lot---just specs. I did ride kind of hard today for about 2 hours and hadn't ridden in over a month. This is the second time I've noticed this….both times were this winter after sitting. Last fluid change was 1,000 miles…and this issue didn't exist this summer.
I have Arlen Ness Stage 1 Big Sucker with stock cover…I've run my hand inside of the cover and my hands come out clean with no oil.
Edit/just added******just got back from the garage…I notice that one of the screws on the bottom of the transmission side cover is wet and everything under neath/under that area is damp and I can even see some "wet" areas along the frame where some cables are zip tied. Its pretty gritty under there so something is leaking….the V&H mount is damp also…which is under that transmission side cover.
I guess I'm identifying it correctly…the small chrome piece with 6 screws that says "six speed" …2 screws holding exhaust are wet…I was able to get to one and it was lose. Hmmmm….maybe I'm finding the problem??
Checked left side….very minimal, but just a couple specs on the primary. All are very easy to just wipe off with minimal effort. My neighbor said his does this during winter or right after winter when he's had his bike stored for a while and said it comes from the oil just sitting in his oil cooler.
I'm not too sure, so wanted to see what you guys thought. It's not a lot---just specs. I did ride kind of hard today for about 2 hours and hadn't ridden in over a month. This is the second time I've noticed this….both times were this winter after sitting. Last fluid change was 1,000 miles…and this issue didn't exist this summer.
I have Arlen Ness Stage 1 Big Sucker with stock cover…I've run my hand inside of the cover and my hands come out clean with no oil.
Edit/just added******just got back from the garage…I notice that one of the screws on the bottom of the transmission side cover is wet and everything under neath/under that area is damp and I can even see some "wet" areas along the frame where some cables are zip tied. Its pretty gritty under there so something is leaking….the V&H mount is damp also…which is under that transmission side cover.
I guess I'm identifying it correctly…the small chrome piece with 6 screws that says "six speed" …2 screws holding exhaust are wet…I was able to get to one and it was lose. Hmmmm….maybe I'm finding the problem??
Last edited by sfcmo357; Feb 3, 2014 at 07:30 PM.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,572
Likes: 5
From: Templeton California
I have Arlen Ness Stage 1 Big Sucker with stock cover…
Last edited by SPECIAL ED; Feb 3, 2014 at 06:39 AM.
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,739
Likes: 153
From: Fayetteville, NC
That's where the problem is. I had the exact same issue what fixed it for me was taking out the breather bolts re applying loctight to the threads,making sure not to block the holes, and tightening them back down.There are also some o rings on the back side of the intake in the same area if one of those is not seated correctly that could also leak but I'll bet it's the bolts.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 395
Likes: 11
From: Oklahoma
Same thing with mine when I had the Big Sucker on. I never could get the bolts to stay tight and it would make a mess down the right side of my bike. I got tired of messing with it and I swapped out for the Kuryakyn Street Sleeper,,,,problem solved.
MODERATOR
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,108
Likes: 1,964
From: New England
FWIW, I too purchased an A.N. system some time ago and had a similar experience. On mine, the Ness surface that contacts the heads were machined so poorly, I couldn't get a good seal even with the o-ring.
I would not purchase an A.N. product again...
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,999
Likes: 55
From: Bay Area
What is your oil level at? Try dropping down 2-3 boxes when cold. I seriously doubt it is your cover, and I have always heard AN air systems are the best out there, especially the big sucker. My sons friend has a 12 RG and his did the same until he lowered the level. It seems to be the only way to keep it at bay. Also the breather bolts are suppoed to be locktited when installing.
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Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 541
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From: Sherwood Park AB Canada
If there is no oil on the inside of your air cleaner cover then the AN is not your problem, especially if you are getting some specks on the left side of the bike as well. Are you sure that it is oil and not wet exhaust soot that is leaking out somewhere at your pipe joints. You will get lots of exhaust condensation during warmup, especially with cooler outside air temps.
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Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,739
Likes: 153
From: Fayetteville, NC
If there is no oil on the inside of your air cleaner cover then the AN is not your problem, especially if you are getting some specks on the left side of the bike as well. Are you sure that it is oil and not wet exhaust soot that is leaking out somewhere at your pipe joints. You will get lots of exhaust condensation during warmup, especially with cooler outside air temps.
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,739
Likes: 153
From: Fayetteville, NC
[QUOTE=sfcmo357;12278464]
**just got back from the garage…I notice that one of the screws on the bottom of the transmission side cover is wet and everything under neath/under that area is damp and I can even see some "wet" areas along the frame where some cables are zip tied. Its pretty gritty under there so something is leaking….the V&H mount is damp also…which is under that transmission side cover.
I guess I'm identifying it correctly…the small chrome piece with 6 screws that says "six speed" …..the two bolts holding the exhaust on are lose…i noticed oil on them also…..this is directly under the side cover
**just got back from the garage…I notice that one of the screws on the bottom of the transmission side cover is wet and everything under neath/under that area is damp and I can even see some "wet" areas along the frame where some cables are zip tied. Its pretty gritty under there so something is leaking….the V&H mount is damp also…which is under that transmission side cover.
I guess I'm identifying it correctly…the small chrome piece with 6 screws that says "six speed" …..the two bolts holding the exhaust on are lose…i noticed oil on them also…..this is directly under the side cover
Last edited by sfcmo357; Feb 3, 2014 at 07:29 PM.