What did you do to Your Sportster Today?
#9391
Regarding venting to a filter or catch can, here are some notes I found on a few websites:
Notes about adding a filter:
There are many aftermarket and homemade breather vent relocation mods available to move the vents out of the air cleaner. However, depending on how you route the vent lines, you can cause emulsified oil accumulation in them. Emulsified oil will just build up in the tubes until it all comes out. And it could also alter engine breathing if it doesn't come out.
Sharp bends and elevations in the vent lines will allow this mixture to sit and build up instead of flow out the end of the vent line. There is no need to install a filter on the end of the line because it does the thing same as the bends and elevations. It allows the mist to sit and build. It's just a potential puddle later. Adding a filter on the end of the line and hanging the filter lower than the vent can cause filter blockage.
Notes about adding a filter:
There are many aftermarket and homemade breather vent relocation mods available to move the vents out of the air cleaner. However, depending on how you route the vent lines, you can cause emulsified oil accumulation in them. Emulsified oil will just build up in the tubes until it all comes out. And it could also alter engine breathing if it doesn't come out.
Sharp bends and elevations in the vent lines will allow this mixture to sit and build up instead of flow out the end of the vent line. There is no need to install a filter on the end of the line because it does the thing same as the bends and elevations. It allows the mist to sit and build. It's just a potential puddle later. Adding a filter on the end of the line and hanging the filter lower than the vent can cause filter blockage.
#9393
Small filters and oil catch cans are available and they are not cheap. From what I understand, the amount of oil that accumulated amounts to about a teaspoon over a few months. So far, the end of my 3/8" drain hose isn't even moist yet. I check my garage floor daily and nothing has happened yet, so I'm not concerned. I can always add something later but I don't think I'll need to. The vent tubes on the 2004 and newer Sportsters are supposed to scavenge the oil mist much better than in the past. Here is another note I found on some websites:
OEM Breather Bolts
Sportster crankcase pressure was increased in 2004 by several means:
-One of which was the reduction of the tiny hole size in the hollow breather bolts on the engine-side (screwed inside the head) for more restriction. The smaller hole creates higher pressure in the crankcase on the piston down-stroke which aides in oil scavenging. They also allow the air to leave the vents at a faster rate.
-The open ends of the tow hollow bolts fit inside the air filter housing and plug into sealed ports in the air filter. The threads in these bolts are cut wider for a tighter fit into the heads.
OEM Breather Bolts
Sportster crankcase pressure was increased in 2004 by several means:
-One of which was the reduction of the tiny hole size in the hollow breather bolts on the engine-side (screwed inside the head) for more restriction. The smaller hole creates higher pressure in the crankcase on the piston down-stroke which aides in oil scavenging. They also allow the air to leave the vents at a faster rate.
-The open ends of the tow hollow bolts fit inside the air filter housing and plug into sealed ports in the air filter. The threads in these bolts are cut wider for a tighter fit into the heads.
#9395
#9396
#9397
#9399
Did about 100 miles today. However when I went to start it this am it was odd. The battery tender had an exclamation sign on it. Then when I switched to Run, the fuel pump sounded terrible. Then when I started it, it ran rough, stumbled and died. Turned it off, turned it back on, fuel pump still sounded weird (louder whine than usual), started it, ran rough for a minute but gave her some gas and she settled out. Then drove fine for 100 miles with a few stops. Guess I’ll keep an eye on it.
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David Rose (08-05-2019)