Cobra Catch Can Maybe?

[Jack Klarich]

That's awesome. Great fix and can't get anymore discreet than that. Looks like a trip to Lowes today for vacuum tube and connector. Question though, as well as being a place for the oil mist to collect shouldn't the container be vented to allow breather venting? Seems like otherwise it may be the same as plugging up the holes in the heads.

Yes, an 1/8th inch hole in the top of the cap

 

[Jack Klarich]

Thanks for this easy fix.

View attachment 108520

Did you plug the hole on the back of your air filter, you need to

Also a 1/8 " hole in the cap top will help the head breathers push the mess into your catch can

 

[JTJersey]

Yes, an 1/8th inch hole in the top of the cap

That's in addition to the 1/8" hole you need to get the hose in the bottle?

 

[Jack Klarich]

That's in addition to the 1/8" hole you need to get the hose in the bottle?

Yes

 

[JTJersey]

So since I'm back from my 10,000 mile service I've revisited the breather catch can situation and I just don't like anything on the market. I don't want a fancy chrome something to show off, and while Jack Klarich's great idea of the pill bottle in the back of the air cleaner body may work well with the stock air cleaner, I'm running a rather smaller Cobra air cleaner and there's just no room for a pill bottle in there.

What I've been experimenting with is a 1 1/2" long by 1" wide and 1/2" thick flat, rectangular polypropylene box with a hinged lid that snaps shuts. (I had one in my parts closet for some reason. Go figure.) Pulled the OEM hose out of the backing plate of the Cobra air cleaner and capped it off from the back. Replaced it with a hose that runs into the back of the polypropylene box and drilled another hole for pressure release. Put the box on inside bottom of the air cleaner. It couldn't move or open and is out of the way. Ran it like that for 600 miles. Worked fine. BUT, I had the thought that it may be interfering with the air flow despite how small and low profile it is.

Today I pulled it out and mounted it outside of the air filter on the backing plate facing the motor. Used high strength exterior grade Velcro. This keeps the air flow into the throttle body clear and keeps the blow by oil from going into the engine. My only concern is the polypropylene box I'm using holding up to the heat of the engine which is a mere 5" away from it. I posted a pic of the trike with Cobra air cleaner for reference and a pic of the mounted polypropylene box. (Red arrow) I've since found and ordered a round tin box about the same size with a screw off lid. Let you know in a next week or so how that works out.

 

[My Turn]

I just run my breathers to ground. No need to complicate things. Next to no liquid comes out of them since I vented my crankcase "home brew" trask style.

 

[JTJersey]

Got my tin cans in and used the 1 oz can.



I feel better about having the metal there other than the plastic even if the plastic seems to be working fine. Now I can just unscrew the lid, wipe out the inside and screw the lid back on. It's also bigger than the plastic box, but fits in the same place just fine. It really seems like the engine "feels" better without any oil mist in the mix. The cans come in a ten pack for about $8 so I can afford to experiment if need be.

View attachment 109048

 

[Jack Klarich]

Got my tin cans in and used the 1 oz can.

View attachment 109045 View attachment 109046

I feel better about having the metal there other than the plastic even if the plastic seems to be working fine. Now I can just unscrew the lid, wipe out the inside and screw the lid back on. It's also bigger than the plastic box, but fits in the same place just fine. It really seems like the engine "feels" better without any oil mist in the mix. The cans come in a ten pack for about $8 so I can afford to experiment if need be.

View attachment 109048

Nice job, yes your engine will run stronger without the oily mess

 

[JTJersey]

Nice job, yes your engine will run stronger without the oily mess

It's been about 1500 miles since I put that tin can on there and after the 600 mile trip I just took to VA figured it was time to check it. Pulled the air cleaner off and all was spotless, as hoped. Not so much the tin can. It was 1/4 full with an creamy mess that kind of looked like French Vanilla coffee creamer only much thicker and slimier. Really glad that's not in my fuel mix anymore.

 

[Jack Klarich]

It's been about 1500 miles since I put that tin can on there and after the 600 mile trip I just took to VA figured it was time to check it. Pulled the air cleaner off and all was spotless, as hoped. Not so much the tin can. It was 1/4 full with an creamy mess that kind of looked like French Vanilla coffee creamer only much thicker and slimier. Really glad that's not in my fuel mix anymore.

It looks like the can you made is doing a good job

 

[pigfoot63]

Update on Pill Bottle Catch Can

Special Thanks To Jack, Your pill bottle catch can works great.

I did my thousand mile check this morning and although it was not

a lot I was very glad it was not going back into my engine.

 

[JTJersey]

Had a scare just now. Took my catch can apart to check it and instead of the usual oily tan liquid it was an oily tan semi-gelatinous clump. I should have taken a pic. It was creepy looking. I'm thinking now that since there's quite a bit of moisture mixed with that oil and it's been chilly lately that's it semi froze in the can. Going to have to keep an eye on that at more frequent intervals as winter approaches. Could be an issue if the breather tube got clogged up.

 

[Jack Klarich]

Had a scare just now. Took my catch can apart to check it and instead of the usual oily tan liquid it was an oily tan semi-gelatinous clump. I should have taken a pic. It was creepy looking. I'm thinking now that since there's quite a bit of moisture mixed with that oil and it's been chilly lately that's it semi froze in the can. Going to have to keep an eye on that at more frequent intervals as winter approaches. Could be an issue if the breather tube got clogged up.

Moisture over the oil already in the bottom of the catch can, it is more noticed as the temperature swings, and shorter rides

I check mine weekly just because it is easy, I have more water vapor than my previous 107 M8

On my 17 M8 I had a plastic petcock on a longer routed hose existing further back and down

I would open the petcock once a week and let it drain overnight, it worked very good and was a cheap install

 

[Old Road Dog]

Hahahaha! Its a waste product, its motor snot. One should not dwell on it no more than dog poop.

 

[JTJersey]

Hahahaha! Its a waste product, its motor snot. One should not dwell on it no more than dog poop.

A colorful analogy, but correct. I'm also glad that that poop isn't in my engine anymore and the way the bike is running I'm pretty sure it's glad too.

 

[JTJersey]

This is what was in the catch can after a mere 125 miles. Really am glad that's not going into my intake anymore.

 

[Jack Klarich]

This is what was in the catch can after a mere 125 miles. Really am glad that's not going into my intake anymore.

View attachment 110105

Your engine will run stronger and last longer with your design

 

[Rusty1]

DK Customs Catch Can

I installed a DK Customs catch can and have it tucked inside my air box... engine runs so much better. I clean it out every oil change. The can never gets full. I know my piston tops and tune are much happier. Much better throttle response. The only downside is the backside of the filter gets dirtier faster. I also change the filter at every oil change. Ride safe