Buell Forum           Buell Service Manuals           Buell Parts           Contact Us           Buell.com           Member's Buell Pics

Buell Parts

  
»User: »Password:   Remember Me? 
Buell Forum / Buell XB Forum / Do-It-Yourself Buell Mods / How-To: Crank Case Breather Mod (with pics)

Posted:  15 Dec 2008 23:39   Last Edited By: Urban_Assault[?]  
I've been reading a lot on the Crankcase Breather Mod, but had to dig around to find out how to do one.

I know there's another thread on this forum, that's what I used to get started on mine. I'm just updating the parts list, and adding pictures.

It's a pretty simple mod, so here's a step-by-step that should help you along.

Here's what you'll need:

(5ft) - 3/8" I.D. Transmission Oil Cooler hose, cut to the following sizes:
- 10" piece
- 2" piece
- 24" piece
- 18" piece
- 6" piece

(1) - Breather Filter with 3/8" connector
(2) - 3/8" Vaccuum T's
(4) - 3/8" hose clamps
(1) - Radiator Drain Cock with 3/8" threads
(4-6) - Zip Ties
(12") - Electrical Tape

Scroll down for directions.



http://atvcolorado.com/attachments/Buell/IMG_3531.JPG
http://atvcolorado.com/attachments/Buell/IMG_3532.JPG
http://atvcolorado.com/attachments/Buell/IMG_3533.JPG
http://atvcolorado.com/attachments/Buell/IMG_3534.JPG
http://atvcolorado.com/attachments/Buell/IMG_3535.JPG
http://atvcolorado.com/attachments/Buell/IMG_3536.JPG
Posted:  15 Dec 2008 23:41 [?]  
Step 1:

Remove your seat and airbox cover

Disconnect  the vent hose from next to the Fuel filler cap, then remove the airbox lid.

Disconnect the two vaccuum lines and the sensor wire from the bottom of the airbox base, then remove the airbox base.

http://atvcolorado.com/attachments/Buell/IMG_3537.JPG
http://atvcolorado.com/attachments/Buell/IMG_3538.JPG
http://atvcolorado.com/attachments/Buell/IMG_3539.JPG
http://atvcolorado.com/attachments/Buell/IMG_3540.JPG
http://atvcolorado.com/attachments/Buell/IMG_3542.JPG
http://atvcolorado.com/attachments/Buell/IMG_3543.JPG
Posted:  15 Dec 2008 23:42 [?]  
Step 2:

Remove the two factory vaccuum hoses.
Remove the braided nylon sheath from the longer hose.

Connect the new 10" and 2" hoses with a vaccuum T.

Place the nylon sheath over the 10" hose.

The sheath is actually a little longer than the hose, but if you work it down it will fatten up and get shorter.

Wrap a few loops of electrical tape around the edges to hold them in place and keep it from fraying.

http://atvcolorado.com/attachments/Buell/IMG_3554.JPG
http://atvcolorado.com/attachments/Buell/IMG_3555.JPG
Posted:  15 Dec 2008 23:43 [?]  
Step 3:

Run the 24" hose down the front of the motor, past the oil cooler bracket, then back along the frame support rail.

Connect the 24" hose to the 2"/10" vaccuum T, with the 2" hose towards the front and the 10" hose towards the rear.

Connect the 2"/10" breather hoses to the crankcase breather ports.

http://atvcolorado.com/attachments/Buell/IMG_3557.JPG
http://atvcolorado.com/attachments/Buell/IMG_3558.JPG
http://atvcolorado.com/attachments/Buell/IMG_3561.JPG
http://atvcolorado.com/attachments/Buell/IMG_3560.JPG
http://atvcolorado.com/attachments/Buell/IMG_3566.JPG
http://atvcolorado.com/attachments/Buell/IMG_3563.JPG
Posted:  15 Dec 2008 23:44 [?]  
Step 4:

Connect the Radiator Drain Cock to the 18" hose.

Run the 18" hose up the back of the crankcase, then along the frame support rail.

Connect the 18" hose to the 24" hose using another 3/8" vaccuum T.

Conncet the Breather Filter to the third port on the vaccuum T.

Zip-tie the 18" and 24" hoses along the frame support rail near the filter. This should hold everything in place.

http://atvcolorado.com/attachments/Buell/IMG_3569.JPG
http://atvcolorado.com/attachments/Buell/IMG_3571.JPG
http://atvcolorado.com/attachments/Buell/IMG_3572.JPG
http://atvcolorado.com/attachments/Buell/IMG_3570.JPG
Posted:  15 Dec 2008 23:45 [?]  
Step 5:

Stuff one end of the 6" hose into the vent hole on the bottom of the airbox base.

Loop the other end over and stuff it into the second vent hole. The will seal off the airbox and make sure dirty air doesn't get past the filter.

Put everything back together, then go for a ride!

It will probably run like crap for a while until the computer can re-calibrate itself. It should smooth out after about 15-20 miles of mixed city/highway driving.

Good luck!

-Tim

http://atvcolorado.com/attachments/Buell/IMG_3574.JPG
http://atvcolorado.com/attachments/Buell/IMG_3575.JPG
http://atvcolorado.com/attachments/Buell/IMG_3576.JPG
http://atvcolorado.com/attachments/Buell/IMG_3540.JPG
http://atvcolorado.com/attachments/Buell/IMG_3538.JPG
http://atvcolorado.com/attachments/Buell/IMG_3537.JPG
Posted:  16 Dec 2008 03:02 [?]  
First off great write up.

But just so you know the drain or petcok should go before the breather otherwise it will all blow out of the filter instead of going to the drain.
Posted:  16 Dec 2008 04:55 [?]  
I am about to do this mod, and i'm curious as to what you mean fastxb12r?  Instead of having the filter in-line, you should run a line down before it and then a line to the filter?
Posted:  16 Dec 2008 16:07 [?]  
See my edited illustration below for a better understanding.  The drain should be in the front to catch all the head gases and oily residue.  Then the filter should be ran off of the tee.

http://www.buellxb.com/buell_images/2792_20081216070523_L.jpg

Posted:  16 Dec 2008 16:23   Last Edited By: Urban_Assault[?]  
I was actually just getting ready to reply. It doesn't look like it in the picture, but the hose is actually angled down as it goes back.

Due to the viscousity properties of the oil, it will tend to stick to the inner walls of the tube. As long as it is angled this way, it will flow towards the drain.

http://www.atvcolorado.com/attachments/Buell/hoses.jpg

The filter will block any large drops of oil from blowing out the vent, so you don't have to worry about spitting oil all over the side of your bike. The drops will again drain down the tube towards the valve.

The internal volume of that last 18" piece of tube is just shy of 8 cubic inches, which is a little over 1/8th of a quart. Plenty to act as a catch can.

There are several different ways of routing the hoses, I just wanted something simple that didn't look too bulky. So far, I haven't had any problems with it.

It would be easy to mod this setup to match Buell_Cru's illustration. Just add a 3rd vaccuum T where the hose loops next to the air scoop. Run one line straight down, and the other towards the back.

Good luck!
Posted:  16 Dec 2008 16:27 [?]  
I understand the details as far as adding grade to your line so that it will still drain in a downward motion but that wasn't explained for the guys with not as much mechanical knowledge.

Good mod.

Posted:  16 Dec 2008 16:30 [?]  
I understand the details as far as adding grade to your line so that it will still drain in a downward motion but that wasn't explained for the guys with not as much mechanical knowledge.

Good mod.

Posted:  16 Dec 2008 16:30   Last Edited By: Urban_Assault[?]  
Totally understood. In all honesty, if I had seen your post I would have done it that way. Less chance of clogging the filter from the inside.

In fact, I'll probably modify it this week to run the drain straight down. I'll post another pic when it's done.

Thanks for the heads-up.

-Tim
Posted:  16 Dec 2008 16:41 [?]  
great Write up. I agree that the filter should be up from the drain but you could leave it in the same location just rotate it up so the oil flows under the filter.
Posted:  16 Dec 2008 17:49   Last Edited By: Urban_Assault[?]  
I'm wondering now if there's a way to put a couple of schrader-valves on this setup.

One near the filter, to only allow fresh air in

The other near the drain, to only allow oil/dirty air out.

It would basically make a one-way downdraft airflow circuit. Would eliminate the need to drain the valve, still allow the system to breathe, and not allow debris back in.

Maybe I'll pick up a couple of schrader valves today and see if I can fit them inside the tube.

Any thoughts?

http://www.atvcolorado.com/attachments/Buell/hoses2.jpg
Posted:  16 Dec 2008 18:01 [?]  
That is an interesting thought. I'd like to see if that can be done.
Posted:  16 Dec 2008 21:08 [?]  
Used a single 3/8 nylon T and 3' of gas hose from Napa Auto. Used one of the "old" pieces of tubing to plug the cover holes-similar (a U) to what is shown in the pic. Nothing on the end..just terminated it at the muffler outlet. Havent seen anything drip from it yet and if it does, the exhaust pulse will simply blow it outwards away from any possible contact with the tire. Easy job-took maybe 1/2 hr and it does seem to idle smoother.
Posted:  18 Dec 2008 00:19 [?]  
great pics. the problem with running it the way the pics are that all the crap will build up in filter and drip on cases
Posted:  18 Dec 2008 00:51 [?]  
Wulf,

Read the entire post before commenting.  Great idea though.
Posted:  22 Dec 2008 01:49 [?]  
Seriously...unless you live in Cali, then dont even worry about the valve at the end......gotta leave your mark somehow....
Posted:  22 Dec 2008 19:05 [?]  
I don't want any oily residue getting anywhere near my back tire and I don't want any drip marks in the garage.  My bike is my mark and it's with me wherever I go.
Posted:  22 Dec 2008 19:45 [?]  
Dont know if you can see in this picture but i run a similar set up.  Providing you drain the oil often enough there seems to be no problems.  I usually check it every 250 miles.
http://i464.photobucket.com/albums/rr7/chris_xb12s/Buell%20XB12S/DSCF1604-1.jpg
Posted:  30 Dec 2008 02:56 [?]  
I am haveing a idle prob and am gonna try it . thanks for the info and pics .
Posted:  30 Dec 2008 06:15 [?]  
Porkey,

The '07 - earlier XB9's & 12's had an idler screw adjuster.  What year is yours and what RPM's is it idling at?
Posted:  01 Jan 2009 22:51 [?]  
I just did this mod to my 05XB12r and it is well worth the time and money. $27 at Autozone and 45 min while bbq'ing some chicken and havin a beer or 2.
http://www.buellxb.com/buell_images/2736_20090101134643_L.jpg
http://www.buellxb.com/buell_images/2736_20090101134723_L.jpg
Posted:  02 Jan 2009 04:08 [?]  


Awesome write-up

My setup is quite similar
Posted:  04 Jan 2009 02:48 [?]  
Awesome Write up for sure...After reading this mod for about 6 onths, I finally took the plunge. Took me about an hour and HOLY SH*T what a difference! The one thing I hated about my bike (the hiccup in 1st) is absolutely GONE! and the motor feels so much better to drive.. Thanks to all..... If I could buy a beer to you all for the posts, I would!!!
Posted:  04 Jan 2009 02:49 [?]  
And thanks to URBAN ASSAULT for this exellent write up too! I'm not the brightest of the bunch and I usually learn Visually! I def. would have not done this if it wasn't for your pictures!!!
Posted:  04 Jan 2009 20:33 [?]  
Made a quick video of the draft tube location with the motor thumping..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK7ZNstTnys
Posted:  04 Jan 2009 20:33 [?]  
No worries, glad you guys found it useful.

-Tim

Professional Web Design and eCommerce Optimization by Slingshot SEO, XML RSS 2.0 XML Atom 1.0

Welcome to our Buell forum! Shop performance motorcycle parts.

Buell Forum Home           Buell Specs           Buell Links           Contact Us