My streety is breathing oil out the air filter . A fair bit that runs all over the chrome cover below it . Bike started doing this at 26000km , and is constantly doing it now after a long ride . Currently 33000km . First bike shop says , " they all do that " . Second bike shop say they will pull apart top end and check piston to bore clearance and re ring or rebore 1st oversize . Stage 1 air cleaner fitted . Repairs done under warranty . Worth having pulled apart , or keep wiping the oil off . Would appreciate comments from the engine gurus on here . Thanks in advance .

i don't run breathers to air cleaner , use fittings & 3/8 oil line & dump to ground old style , if bleeding to much you can drill out da oil return hole in da breather valve well , that what we use to do on da EVO's & Sporty's

Run ya oil level at Half dipstick and see what that does

I have just put a new air filter on mine Tim to see if that changes anything. My thinking is more air form outside will get in, and less "oily air" from the breathers to suck in.
When I think about it, mine only just started doing this on the way home from Moama. My filter was fairly oily and a bit wet and a bit dirty and blocked form the trip.
I rekon the engine was sucking in too much from the breather holes due to the fact the air filter was partially blocked and not as clean as it should have been. Make sense? I will see how mine goes and let you know but just check your filter and see how dirty/blocked it may be.

My 01 low rider filmed oil out of the a/c from new I did the camplate upgrade with oil pump at 53000 has not done it since now done 88000

Dad is away working at the moment he will be back in a few days. Action

It means Tim is away for work so he can't try these things that have been suggested. Action is Tim's son....

Tim, I would also try running slightly lower oil level but also look at hooking up external breathers,

Cheers,
Daggs

I tried several things including the lower oil level but the external breather was the winner

Thanks for comments everyone . Bike has k&n filter . Not really keen on having top end pulled down . Installing breathers sounds better . Are kits with lines available ?

http://www.cvoharley.com/smf/index.php

 

Do you do a lot of longer higher rpm rides? What brand of oil?

Here,s a fix I,ve found ( thanks Mickle ). Block off the holes with silicon , drill and tap holes to install barbed fittings and run breathers to under bike .Because the holes are flush , the oil runs down the face and runs past filter seal . A lot of other types of backing plates have little rubber tubes that poke inside of venturi not allowing any oil to run down .

Have a look on page 1 of this thread Tim, I posted up some pics whilst you where away.

Thanks Mick , didn,t see em . DK make kits .

If the issue is that's it's venting too much oil, changing the breather isn't really addressing the cause of the problem?

Also, Lushy was asking about long higher rpm riding, not high speed riding. Curious to hear what he has to say about this 

Tim your bike is misting the oil in the rocker covers. You do a lot of high speed riding as you go away a lot. Mine does it as well. Some people drop a bit of oil from the tanks to reduce the pressure. If it really annoys you get a breather system onto your AC. I am in the process of that as well. They can be bought on Fleabay. In the end it is what you are happy with. It won't hurt your bike though, just looks Uggh on the cam cover.

Mine has done it since I bought the bike. Mainly after a trip... When I done the cams in my bike the oil baffle was drilled out to allow for faster return to the sump. But it still does it. Couple of drips. I am putting on a S&S AC this week and will also put in a breather system with a catch can at the same time. I don't like the idea of venting straight out under the bike though. Doesn't look good and it can splash onto your frame/tires etc... just untidy in my mind.

I was asking the original poster. Tim I think. Longer rides and higher rpm rather than HIGH rpm :-). On a longer ride sitting on higher rpm, say 3k and up constantly the oil may turn to foam, like head on a pint of stout. This will give you problems, no matter what you do to your breathers. Some oils are bad for it. I am not about to get myself sued, best way is look for yourself. On a longer constant run, Kill the engine and pull up quick and whip out the dipstick and peer in at the oil. BTW you may want to watch out for cars etc. Obviously it is much easier on a dyno. The longer you sit at higher rpm the more likely it is. As described above by Aj56 "misting" type stuff.

Thanks Lushy , you,re right on it . I do a lot of longer , country road rides , where the revs are constantly high .

External breathers , are the words to use if googling .

If some oils are less inclined to foam (and then vent), what oil is recommended? Not wanting to turn this into an oil discussion or debate