Oil dripping from air cleaner
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Quite normal. I've heard the easiest and cheapest fix is believe it or not, a feminine hygiene product in the bottom of the air cleaner. (no kidding) But I just had an idea...instead of one of those, try going to a few automotive shops. A lot of them have those oil and fluid absorbing towels to clean up spillage from the floors and such. They can absorb an INCREDIBLE amount of oil. Ask and they'll probably give you a few for free. They are about 18"x18". Cut it into pieces, that should last you a good long while. Am I a genius or what??? 
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34 Posts
Wilki
These engines have a poor pcv (positive crankcase ventilation) system and tend to push large amounts of oil out of the vents in the heads. It is typical to see it if your cruising speed is 3k rpm or higher for any period of time. The oil you see coming out is simply pushed out from the gases that escape around the gaps in the rings. Since the engines are air cooled they require more oil to reach the upper rings to keep them from overheating, thus resulting in a larger then normal amount of positive pressure.
Crawdaddy
I had not thought of putting my engine's on the rag but that might not be a bad idea. I have found a catch can works well also.
These engines have a poor pcv (positive crankcase ventilation) system and tend to push large amounts of oil out of the vents in the heads. It is typical to see it if your cruising speed is 3k rpm or higher for any period of time. The oil you see coming out is simply pushed out from the gases that escape around the gaps in the rings. Since the engines are air cooled they require more oil to reach the upper rings to keep them from overheating, thus resulting in a larger then normal amount of positive pressure.
Crawdaddy
I had not thought of putting my engine's on the rag but that might not be a bad idea. I have found a catch can works well also.
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12,614 Posts
Exactly what I do also and it pretty much keeps oil off the bike. I sort of exaggerated in my previous response. If I don't ride hard and keep the RPM's low it hardly passes oil at all, but some days I ride my bike like a crotch rocket and then the oil is noticeable.Kags said:
I still think this shouldn't happen and blame Harley Davidson for making a crappy product. I don't want to hear anybody tell me of an aftermarket fix for it because it shouldn't be my responsibility. They should never sell a product that does this plain and simple.
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261 Posts
Mine did the same thing with the S.E. filter , then I switched to the Hypercharger & problem solved.
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48 Posts
Your Sportster has whats called "umbrella valves" in the head as part of the PCV system, releaving the pressure building up in the base of the engine much like the PVC system in a car. Oil gets past these and then drains down through small holes in the bottom of the rocker boxes back to the engine. What you're getting is the oil that doesn't go through the holes fast enough and gets blown out through two breather-hollow bolts to your air filter. I've found that right after an oil change when the oil level is right to the upper mark my 1200 Sportster had a tendency to leak oil from the breather until it found it's own level (leaked down) which was usually about midway on the dipstick. After that you really had to wind it up to get it to leak. In the meantime I cut a long piece of foam rubber to absorb the oil and ran it along the bottom of the "ham can" wedging it against the backing plate and the can itself. Taking the ham can off and wiping the oil from the inside on occasion helps too in the initial stages before it "finds it's level".
Jim
Jim
I work at a car dealer, the towels I was referring to are called "Pig Mats" They are not thick, but they are layered, sort of a nuclear strength paper towel. I grabbed a bunch of them, I am going to try it. Sounds like it could be a better option than wiping out the A/C all the time.
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