I've had a couple pm's asking me how often I "drain the can" and how much do I get out.
So, I thought I'd show everyone ...
Since I did my 4k or 5k per Harley's schedule yesterday, I thought since I've added "draining the can" to that service, I'd get some pics of the "stuff" in the can.
So ... I was at 4,212 miles on this oil when I did this. I had not checked the can since I installed it (right around the same time ... just a few miles before I did the service).
When I drained the oil, it looked pretty dark ... I'm changing my requirements back to 4k and may drop it even further depending on how it looks after this trip to Kerrville. I figure the trip will be at least 3k with side trips, so I'll do this again when I get back mainly to see how the oil looks after 3k miles vs. 4k.
Okay ... so I purchased the newer machined can from DK ... I love the look of the thing and it is a tad shorter so fitting it under the air cleaner is no problem.
I tried running the little can to under the bike to "hide" it and either I let it hang too low and ran it over when going over a bump, or, I would get the hose too close to a hot engine part and melt it. Since I'm about function and not so much about looks, I just opted for convenience and let it hang under the air cleaner. That location makes it easy to get to when you do the air cleaner and if your old, fat and got mechanical knees, makes it easy to get to without getting on the floor. Once to drain the oil was plenty ... .
Okay ... so the only knock I have on this can is by making it a little shorter (which is a big plus for me ... the can may not be shorter, but, the overall height of the unit is I think ... my old one went with the 14 limited), it is virtually impossible to get on wrench on the little flats that hold the top so you can unscrew the can to drain it while it is still attached to the hose. In reality, it's not really a knock, since you need to clean the foam washers on the top part anyway, so it is just easier to remove it via the hose clamp. Probably neater too since the oil stays in the can and is away from the bike/trike (well, unless you choose to empty it over the bike ... LOL).
Okay, so cleaning this thing is pretty easy. I took it all apart ... soaked the foam rings is dawn and warm water ... rinsed them well and pressed them between two pieces of paper towel until they were dry.
Here's the inside of the can with the two foam pieces still in the bottom. As you can see there is lots of room for oil even after over 4k miles. It should be noted that every bike/trike could show different amounts of gunk in the can after this type of mileage. I recommend checking it after like 2k until you are comfy that your bike/trike is not a gunk maker ... LOL.
Next is a photo of the gunk and two foam rings in a plastic tub from sour cream that I save for just this reason (yea, I'm annal and save stuff to do the service stuff. I have 3 funnels, one for each hole. They are marked and kept in separate zip lock bags).
Finally, a photo of the gunk drained from the can and the two foam rings. Notice it looks like a smiley face ... means my Harley is happy ... LOL
Summary: This can is very easy to clean and empty, does a really good job of catching the gunk. I was a little worried about putting it directly over the chrome timing cover (yea ... I know ... there's no timing stuff in there anymore ... but ... I don't know what to call it now ... ). It also looks good and if I was so inclined ... I could polish it and coat it with the McKee's 37 wheel sealer ... keep it shinny. I think there is plenty of volume to catch any amount of gunk that any bike/trike could spew ... but, don't hold me to that. Like all things, this can needs to be serviced to do it's job, don't install it and forget it and then complain that it overfilled and got oil all over your engine ... LOL.
Whether you go with the catch can, filter vent, or some other form of catching the gunk, this is a good thing for your Harley. If you look close in the gunk, you can see bits of something, I'm guessing combustion products that normally would of been sent back into the intake ... hmmm ... not good.