Steam / Vapor Out Of Crank Case Breather

[Jon]

Been pretty hot here in Florida and I have noticed some vapor / steam at stop lights on #321 coming from the CC Breather. Is this some what normal....I have not noticed any puking however there tends to be some oils residue on the swing arm.....also the breather is an upgrade from Johns Super X, mounted on the rear foot peg. I would like to relocate this farther to the rear. Any ideas and pictures. BTW I do believe #321 has had all the upgrades, can anyone out there in X Land confirm this......


Jon
Super X #321

[wytfut]

Well Jon according to this.   http://superxowners.com/registry/services.htm.  It has had the tranny update and air cleaner.

Sitting in traffic in florida, hot out..... Good chance of 2 possibilities.
Do you do short rides?   If so, moisture in oil steaming off.
Does 321 now have a fan assisted oil cooler. If not you are cooking the oil...
Could be a combination of both.....

There are other posibilities.... But don't believe we are there yet...

Hoping you are using only synthetic oil.....  X's run too hot (hmmm florida?) for dinasaur oil.
And the miles would be another item to consider...... For example, 525 has a lil bit of blow by that can be seen on hi humid cool mornings. 31k miles, and I'm not worrying. As there was a factory issue with lining up the ring gaps.....

Hope this helps.... If not, come on back... Here to help

[wytfut]

Oops... And as for the breather

I recommend putting it under the rear fender behind the tire....
With it up towards the tire, if your X decides to puke for, what everreason hate to find out the hard way with the back brakes

Get the back tire off the ground so the swing arm extends down, and route a tube along the tail/brake/turn signal wires running under there. Zip tie that hose to those wires, and cut the hose just short of the rear fender bottom.... Outta site...

Its really a tght fit inder there, but with my big ol hands..... I can do it..... Highly recommend getting it off the ground, so much easier

Bruce

[Jon]

Bruce,

typical ride is only 50 to 100 miles round trip and only once a month...321 does not get out much. is the moisture a potential problem ? Just started noticing the steam / vapor during the last 3 months (when it is cold out did not notice this)

I have an oil cooler but it is not fan assisted, so i should get a new one with a fan ? can you recommend a good one as i have heard some are not too good...

The Oil is Amsoil Synthetic for sure.....with only about 400 miles on it... The total miles on the bike are 10500....

as for moving the breather tube under the fender this should not be a problem however should i place some sort of filter on the end ? Currently there is the chrome filter from John's Super X mounted at the fool peg.

Also just bought brand new wheels from factory stock (broken spoke on rear), can you recommend a good fat safe tire for both front and rear...

Thanks for your support... i do not ride much but i do enjoy the X, (friends all have Harley's)as well it is a good conversation piece here in Florida at some events where folks either don't know what it is or haven't seen one in 20 years.....

Jon
X 321

[wytfut]

I'd believe the fan assist oil cooler to be a must in you hot climate.....
OUr x's were turning temps around 285.... Before the community came up with the design.

Jamie and Marty have them... And with any luck, you may only need the fan.... Tell Marty what you got.... The fan asist mount down in front of the starter...     You can find her at  http://stores.homestead.com/AtlanticEHLLC/StoreFront.bok

As for the filter.... You can run that one if there is enough clearance, or something else. I personally don't have a filter.... Right or wrong... But I tend to think that the lrength of hose have a couple of dips, that trap enough oil to stop contaminates...

As for bigger tires.... You'll have shop closely, as our belt drive is very close. I think if I remember we could go 1 more siz on the back. I don't know of any one who has put a bigger one on the front.   Also don't get a radial, they just don't work for our design...... Cupping issues...

At one time someone came up with a fat tire design..... But I on't remember who that was...

With your possible oil temp issues..... I'm hoping you have the latest tune installed also.... It helps on performance and running cooler

Bruce

[Jon]

Thanks Again... As for the tune I do indeed have the latest. I actually have the cable and verified when I acquired the bike....

This thin is cool to roll around on and I want to be sure it stays that way....I am actually taking my time and looking for DWS or a 2000 model year....so I can have one of each....


Ride Safe....

Thanks 

Jon
X 321

[XHanlon]

Jon:

Couple Items:

1) Regarding tune, you might want to double check. Should be the EH Super X tune which was privately developed post production, and the only shops are the EH Shop in MN and Marty/Jamie Atlantic EH in Virginia.  All other tunes do not operate as well and this tune helps lower the operating temperatures. Of course these bikes will run okay with many different tunes, however this Super X tune is the most optimized version available. If you do not have this tune, then Atlantic EH will install the tune if you ship them the ECU.

2) When you get new tires, I recommend the dynabeads for balancing.  Do a google/bing search to verify if you like, and more info on the Official EH website in the tech area.  Riders that have taken this step have noticed an improvement in the ride and wear of the tires.  Dunlop Elite3 many people use. The rear will indeed take one size larger...contact Dave Lockhart for info or Marty/Jamie. Their contact info is on the EH website in the tech area.

3) Not unusual for you to notice vapors or moisture, etc...especially on hot humid days and the engine idling...heat/temp of the motor is rising rapidly. There is no perfect answer on this as some engines will exhibit more or less than the next and they both run fine. There is a lot of air flowing through the crankcase in a running engine and with an exposed external breather/vent one notices it more...cars were the same although today they have a pcv to draw the fumes into the motor. Cars of old (till around 1962 by law) they were allowed to vent to the atmosphere and very common then to also see vapors from a running engine exiting below the motor. So generally hard to tell if excessive...if runs good and oil level stays okay, then ...  As suggested, the re-routing in the rear fender is quite common.

4) Fan assist cooler certainly would be suggested in FL.  Again, Marty/Jamie have a great setup on one and others have suggestions too.

"Always Makes Good."
Dan H.

[Jon]

Thanks Dan, definitely good info from all. I will be mounting new tires and will look into the dyna beads as well as new updated oil cooler from Jaimie / Marty.....

Jon