Catch Can Issue

[Jim Bronson]

I recently installed a catch can for the intake vent. It seemed to work OK until I recently noticed oil/water supttering out the holes at the top and getting all over my front exhaust shields (It is mounted to a down tube). I removed it to take a look and found the internal threads completely rusted. Unless the threads are stainless or aluminum, this is entirely predictable. The can had only about 1000 miles on it. This is disappointing. I'm thinking about just removing it and either going back to stock or re-routing it and letting it just drain on the ground, keeping it clear of the tire. From what I can see, there is minimal risk if a few drops fall on the ground and the tire runs through it. I won't be competing in Isle Of Man anytime soon. Which option is preferred if I trash the can? Thanks.

[fidel]

on the ground for   8 years no problem  for me

[Hossamania]

Is it emptied on a regular basis?
Post a pic.
Like fidel, I've vented to the ground since '95, no issues.

[Breeze]

My tube vents just below the frame. I give the area a wipe when I do fluid changes and don't have any concerning grime. Also no drips where it's parked.

[FLDavetrain]

  Vent to ground via front of cam cover just below frame, no issue 4 bikes, many years

[SP33DY]

On my 1990 Evo bagger, I routed the vent to the area under the seat where I placed a cut and folded over section of "Pig" oil absorbent mat. I just changed it when I serviced the bike. It was pretty effective at containing the mess.

Drifting off topic, but I would like to add:
 
I also use the Pig mats on the bike lifts. I bought some 18" x 26" aluminum baking sheets to put under bikes, and place pig mats in them. Not only do they contain a lot of mess, but they also make a good place to set oily parts to drain before they go to the solvent tank.

[Jim Bronson]

Yesterday was the first time I opened it since installation. I thought I would empty it during oil changes. It was installed probably 1000 or less miles ago. There wasn't much residue in the bottom, so I'm surprised moisture migrated all the way up through the foam disks and out the top holes.

I think I'll just run it back along the frame and let it drain for now. I suppose I could clean the threads and coat them with WD-40 if I ever decide to use it again.

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[Hossamania]

Do you have a picture of it assembled?

[Ohio HD]

I use the Jaz catch cans. This one has been on since 2017, no corrosion at all. And I do get condensation out if it in humid weather.

JAZ Products
605-375-01 - Black With 3/8" Fittings
605-325-01 - Black With 1/4" Fittings

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[Jim Bronson]

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[Jim Bronson]

Somewhere I think I have a little filter that would fit on the end of the hose and replace the can. Maybe I'll just use it and see what happens.

[HogMike]

I use a small can for my evo 113 S&S
Had it for years and empty it every so often when it's on the lift.
Took the little filter off the top and tubing all the way out the rear fender You cannot see attachments on this board.You cannot see attachments on this board.

[tdrglide]

I finally took the catch can off my Roadglide. Was catching mostly water anyways. Amount of oil was negligible. At first after new engine build, catch can gave me an idea of engine health. But for me now, more trouble than it's worth. All my other Harleys I vented to atmosphere. No filter, no issues.

Probably hundreds of thousands of bikes out there still running vented to throttle body or carb

[Hossamania]

Probably hundreds of thousands of bikes out there still running vented to throttle body or carb

There are, and my guess is that the tb or carbs are filthy.

[Jim Bronson]

My original reasoning for adding the can was because I had rebuilt the top end with an S&S 110 kit, so I wanted to keep it spiffy clean. It was probably a nonsense purchase (not my last). As soon as it warms up a little in the garage, I'll extend the tubing and route it away from the exhaust down low on the frame. If I see any drips on the garage floor, maybe I'll add the filter.

Thanks for all the good info.

[JSD]

For get the filter . 

[No Cents]

 I too like Brian run a JAZ mini catch can for years now.     
I did remove the top filter and I installed a 90* turn down fitting on top of the catch can to eliminate any moisture from building up inside the filter as the engine breathes. The vent hose goes down below the frame off the top of the catch can.

[No Cents]

Somewhere I think I have a little filter that would fit on the end of the hose and replace the can. Maybe I'll just use it and see what happens.

 I think you will find the media filter in the catch can that your running will clog up over time and restrict the engine from breathing properly. I don't like the catch cans that have the filter media in them.  If you try just a filter on the end of the hose it will clog up too and restrict breathing.

[Hossamania]

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Does that can have another outlet besides the holes on top? If not, it was inevitable that it would start spitting out debris from them. In fact, the filter element is probably exacerbating it by holding the liquid in suspension for the air pulses to push it up and out.
As you see, the other cans posted have a drain to release the liquid, and a vent to direct overflow to the ground.

[Jim Bronson]

Nope, there are no other openings in the can except for the holes around the nipple. A slight pressure differential will pull water and/or oil through the holes and onto my exhaust shield. Not a great design.

[Hossamania]

"Not a great design."

It is not.

[hardheaded]

I have been running my breather hose to the ground since the invent of the Shovelhaed engines.

[pauly]

Anybody venting M8s to ground?
Thanks
Pauly

[Hossamania]

My buddie is, I'm assuming many are. If you look close you can see where the barbs drilled into the backing plate breathers and the hose running down to the right of the cam cover.

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[FloridaJim5]

Anybody venting M8s to ground?
Thanks
Pauly

Yes, I vent straight to the ground.  I route hi-temp silicone hoses between the cylinders and down between the engine case and the primary.  Can't even see it and it has never dripped a single drop in my garage. 

[Dan89flstc]

Anybody venting M8s to ground?
Thanks
Pauly

I am venting my `19 M8 to the ground.

When it was the OEM setup I would see some oil in the air cleaner, but since I routed an open-ended hose to ground I don`t see any oil on the end of the hose at all.

I have about 3 bucks invested in my overboard breather setup.

When you add a catch can, you are creating a place for condensation to form.

If you just route an open hose away from the rear tire, the warm vapors will simply go to the atmosphere.

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[TN]

I'm reluctant about even posting my setup for a twincam, I use the kuryaykn bluegrass fittings from my heads which goes upward to a Y, goes straight over the rear rocker box down to this position. I did this several years ago for a test and thousands of miles later it's still there, I use to check it often but now I just pull the white vaccumn cap on the bottom of container to empty.  I have had a hose on the bottom fitting too but I prefer just to empty now on occasion. It could stand some refinement.
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[Hossamania]

I'm not a fan of going up with drain tubes, but a lot of people do it with seemingly no problems.
TN, when you pull the breathers out of the head at the backing plate for the throttle body, do you have any fluid collected there?
I do like the can mounted in a hidden spot behind the bag.

[TN]

Hoss, I'm just a parts changer, but this system works for me. It's a vent not a drain is how it was explained to me, and on a healthy motor it shouldn't be a problem. I've taking off the lower rocker box part several times to inspect and the breather galleys were perfect. One time on the breather bolts I saw a little white goo but very minimal, most times when I do ride she gets up to full operating temp.

I've had this system on for some time now, I could look at my notes to be exact. I do live in a hot humid place and my bike stays in a conditioned garage. It did get cool last week. I looked for a pic on my phone but saw a squirrel LOL 

[rigidthumper]

I use the stock bolts & breather tubes, slipped into thin silicone hoses to a T, then up along the backbone, then down/out to atmosphere.
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with the stock AC cover on, it disappears.

[jsachs1]

Boom. To the ground.
John

[hrdtail78]

Catch cans are for the track and I don't see the benefit for street use.

[truckrglenn]

My catch can that I bought off Amazon. This one has a dipstick. I was blowing oil down the side of my bike. Tried venting to the ground, but too much oil was dripping. I hope to be doing a 124 upgrade later this year.

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[fbn ent]

Old EVO setup. Seems to work okay...to ground.