Breather Tube Bypass

[rcurnayn]

There are two breather tubes that run from each head to a single spliced hose that dumps into the air intake behind the air filter. (See Pic Below) I am really not crazy about these fumes going back into my cylinders. I think they increase the chances of carbon build up, and at minimum must be absorbing space for good oxygen to be mixing with my gas for good combustion.

I was thinking about just splicing the two tubes together and getting rid of the dump tube that is running to the air intake. Has anyone done this and have you had any problems by doing so?

If anyone has a better way to go, I would really appreciate your input.

Thanks in Advance,

 

[davek]

I would not just connect those breather tubes together..They are sorta vents for the heads...On my 93 FLHS I put a T fitting in behind the carb plate and ran a tube down to exit out...........On my 2015 Tri. I'm not sure if that would be OK or not....Emission problem for those of you in testing states ??? Dave in FL.

 

[Gorilla]

It does cost some money but DK Products one of our sponsors makes a kit for that. You would be doing the job the correct way. Just FYI

 

[rcurnayn]

It does cost some money but DK Products one of our sponsors makes a kit for that. You would be doing the job the correct way. Just FYI

Just looked at DK's site and I see what they are doing with an external breather bypass. But it seems that unit is part of a complete filter replacement kit.

Thanks for the info. Think I will contact them to see if they sell something like that separately.

 

[Mykneesbehurtin]

Doing the same thing to my 16 Tri after installing the stage one air cleaner kit.Using an fittings and a custom catch can that i machined.Will post pics when i install it.

 

[DK Custom Products]

Just looked at DK's site and I see what they are doing with an external breather bypass. But it seems that unit is part of a complete filter replacement kit.

Thanks for the info. Think I will contact them to see if they sell something like that separately.

We do make and External Breather System specifically to work with your stock intake. You can see it at this LINK.

Kevin

 

[J.T.M.]

I drilled and tapped the parts of the breather that attach the breather to the head, then screwed in some brass fittings and connected two hoses together with a tee then it runs down just below the oil filter. Works great, cheap, easy and no hot oil fumes dumped in the intake.

 

[lah2420]

I used the kit Kevin referenced. It is a quick easy install. I drilled one small hole in the air cleaner housing to route the hose the direction I wanted. The hardest part was just deciding where I wanted the filter to be located.

 

[BOXX3R]

I chose to take a slightly different route. I got a DK 606 air cleaner kit for Touring -Rushmoor, and opted for the Brass breathers. Now I have a stealthy sleeper that breathes like a thuroughbread.

 

[rcurnayn]

Thank You to everyone. All of you have great ideas, and DK has a couple of really nice solutions. But on this mod I decided to go cheap. For now I have other toys that need to be bought, such as an Outlaw Oil Filter from DK.

So this is what I did. Went to the local Auto Zone and bought 3 ft. of vacuum tube. Spliced it into the existing breather hoses coming off the heads. Drilled a small hole in the air filter housing and routed the hose down past the oil filter and for a short distance down the inside of the frame. That was it.....cost about $4 for the hose (already had the little plastic connector).

Pics Below...

I did take a piece of larger scrap hose I had laying around and made a heat shield for where the vacuum hose is running close to the engine.

Probably didn't need to, but what the hell :AGGHH:

 

[geezerglide11441]

I would not just connect those breather tubes together..They are sorta vents for the heads...On my 93 FLHS I put a T fitting in behind the carb plate and ran a tube down to exit out...........On my 2015 Tri. I'm not sure if that would be OK or not....Emission problem for those of you in testing states ??? Dave in FL.

These are not vents for the heads!! It is the Crankcase Breather System and the emit "oxygen depleted, oily vapor air to the Throttle Body" and getting this system to exit into the atmosphere instead of the TB will make the motor VERY happy. Cooler/cleaner air with no oily vapor!! One of the best upgrades you can do on your Trike/Bike!!

Roger

 

[DK Custom Products]

Thank You to everyone. All of you have great ideas, and DK has a couple of really nice solutions. But on this mod I decided to go cheap. For now I have other toys that need to be bought, such as an Outlaw Oil Filter from DK.

So this is what I did. Went to the local Auto Zone and bought 3 ft. of vacuum tube. Spliced it into the existing breather hoses coming off the heads. Drilled a small hole in the air filter housing and routed the hose down past the oil filter and for a short distance down the inside of the frame. That was it.....cost about $4 for the hose (already had the little plastic connector).

Pics Below...

I did take a piece of larger scrap hose I had laying around and made a heat shield for where the vacuum hose is running close to the engine.

Probably didn't need to, but what the hell :AGGHH:

View attachment 38540

View attachment 38541

Great solution!



If you get drips on your floor and don't like them, you can just get a little filter to go on the end of the tube to absorb the oil.

Kevin

 

[SEAlaskan]

Great solution!

If you get drips on your floor and don't like them, you can just get a little filter to go on the end of the tube to absorb the oil.

Kevin

Kevin, how often have you had to change that little filter? Just wondering just how much that filter will asorb.

Butch

 

[DK Custom Products]

Kevin, how often have you had to change that little filter? Just wondering just how much that filter will asorb.

Butch

On an engine that spits the normal amount of oil, it needs to be cleaned every 7-10,000 miles.

On an engine that really spits a lot of oil, it should be cleaned every 3000-5000 miles.

Does not even need to come off the bike to clean it. Just hit it with some S100 (or soap), let it set for a few minutes, then spray it off (with a garden hose, not a pressure washer). The oil will get washed out, and then it is ready to absorb more oil.

Usually a filter will last for 20-30 cleanings before it actually needs to be replaced.

Kevin

 

[coronetracer65]

I have DK'S discreet filter system and I wash the filter every oil change ! just my $.02 .Ebert

 

[rcurnayn]

Great solution!

If you get drips on your floor and don't like them, you can just get a little filter to go on the end of the tube to absorb the oil.

Kevin

You're right, but before I do I want to put a bowl under the drip tube (for a week or two) just to see how much crap is now not going back​ into the engine. I know I will only get a partial reading because a lot is lost while riding, but it will be some kind of indicator. If there is a OMG amount, I will post a picture

 

[HDB0B]

Is the venting system "pushing" the vapors out or is the system pulling the vapors out due to negative pressure from the intake?

Kevin .... The brass inserts look very cool. Are their small filters behind the "C" clips?

When using the 606 Outlaw with the stock Rushmore A/C cover ... does it stick out further?

Thanks

Bob

 

[Recycledteen]

You're right, but before I do I want to put a bowl under the drip tube (for a week or two) just to see how much crap is now not going back​ into the engine. I know I will only get a partial reading because a lot is lost while riding, but it will be some kind of indicator. If there is a OMG amount, I will post a picture

You will also have an oil mist on the bottom of everything from riding if you don't put a "catch" can on the tube and clean it it on a scheduled maintenance timeframe.

 

[Trapper54]

This is how mine is done
https://www.facebook.com/1544666332477222/videos/1642366459373875/

 

[SEAlaskan]

On an engine that spits the normal amount of oil, it needs to be cleaned every 7-10,000 miles.

On an engine that really spits a lot of oil, it should be cleaned every 3000-5000 miles.

Does not even need to come off the bike to clean it. Just hit it with some S100 (or soap), let it set for a few minutes, then spray it off (with a garden hose, not a pressure washer). The oil will get washed out, and then it is ready to absorb more oil.

Usually a filter will last for 20-30 cleanings before it actually needs to be replaced.

Kevin

Thanks Kevin, I'll have to order a few from you, soon.

Butch

 

[BOXX3R]

Kevin .... The brass inserts look very cool. Are their small filters behind the "C" clips?

When using the 606 Outlaw with the stock Rushmore A/C cover ... does it stick out further?

Thanks

Bob

Yes, they come in Black, Brass and polished aluminum and include two extra filters and different colored screen. Below is from the DK site.

They also come with THREE different color screens. Brass, Copper and Steel. Also included are 2 extra filters.

I chose the 606 Outlaw specificaly because I did not want the air cleaner housing to stick out any farther than the stock cover did. Here is a pic looking down while seated. I did not take any actual measurements before I removed the stock air cleaner but my gut seat of the pants or knee on the tank feeling is the stock cover with the K&N on the 606 bracket does not stick out any farther than stock. Mission accomplished

 

[jkchipster]

Kevin I installed the 606 air cleaner and the discrete breather system. I'm pretty sure I have everything installed right but I'm second guessing myself. Went for a test ride and I can hear the air cleaner sucking air when I am on the throttle. I've never noticed that before. Is that normal?

 

[MikeyTX]

It's normal with any high flow. They are not as restrictive as the mo-cos. Theirs has to be EPA compliant with regard to intake db just as their exhaust has to be.

 

[jkchipster]

Mikey I had a Kuryakyn Alley Cat high flow air cleaner on before I changed to the 606. I don't recall hearing any difference over the stock air cleaner with the Alley Cat. I'm wondering if I'm sucking unfiltered air from somewhere. Could that make the sound I'm hearing. Maybe it's normal but I've ran several high flow air cleaners on other trikes and never heard this sound before.

 

[clint44]

JK,the reason H-D and others use a fully enclosed air cleaner,is to reduce what is known as "intake honk". EPA noise regulations require a certain DB limit for their Drive-By Test. Exhaust noise,valvetrain and other engine noise,drivetrain noise(belt or chain),and induction noise are all part of the overall DB level a vehicle produces when it "drives by" the decibel meter during EPA's noise certification testing.
A freer flowing exhaust or induction is naturally going to create a higher noise level on a naturally aspirated powerplant.

Sorry to be so long-winded but what you're hearing is pretty normal.

 

[MikeyTX]

That's what I was trying to say ............... :gah:

 

[clint44]

That's what I was trying to say ............... :gah:

And very eloquently too,Mikey. ThumbUp

 

[jkchipster]

Mikey/Clint thank you both for your replay. With what you both said would you expect there to be any difference between one Stage I high flow air cleaner and another as far as the sound I'm hearing when opening the throttle ? Again thanks for your replies.

 

[MikeyTX]

What will affect it more is if it has a cover or is it open with simply an end cap on the filter. Mine has an end cap and rain sock.

- - - Updated - - -

This no edit function sucks .......... What I was trying to say: If you have the stock o e cover on your high flow, that will muffle some of the sound vs the setup I have. Think a Holley double pumper with the old style round filter on it with a top cover only as opposed to one in a fully encased housing with twin air tubes as it's only source of outside air.

 

[DK Custom]

Mikey/Clint thank you both for your replay. With what you both said would you expect there to be any difference between one Stage I high flow air cleaner and another as far as the sound I'm hearing when opening the throttle ? Again thanks for your replies.

What are you using for an outer cover now,JK?