| Author | Message | ||
     Xaman |
Sorry for yet another total newb question, but I cannot find this in the owners manual --- what's this k&n filter for, and how do I clean it? It's looking gritty or sandy...  It's dead center in this pic:  Thanks  | ||
| Froggy |
It isn't in your manual because that isn't stock. It appears that the previous owner did what is knowing as the breather reroute to move the breather tubes out of the airbox. | ||
| Xaman |
Ok, not sure what that means, but I'll try to google it to see what has been done. Pertaining to the little k&n filter: Can I clean that filter, or should I change it? And what's it called, I can't seem to find any online... Thanks Froggy. | ||
| Schwara |
If yours is anything like mine it has a stainless mesh and you could probably scrub it with a small brush to clean it. You could also pull it off for closer inspection, cleaning, shoot it with pressurized air to blow everything off, and then reinstall. My filter is just a decent looking no name brand from the auto parts store ... <$10 if memory serves, so you could also just pick up a cheap replacement. I suggest you do some searches here on BadWeb for the breather mod and you will have a better understanding of what you are looking at. From your picture it looks like you do not have a catch can. If this is installed before the filter than most of the sploog will not make it to the filter. For the breather mod this actually just opens up the line. I'm assuming the black tube coming out from the right side of your filter goes on back and is open to the environment back by the muffler somewhere. That is how I did mine initially until adding a catch can later on, similar to how I saw another BadWeber out here do it. | ||
| Reepicheep |
I think they just recommend soap and water. It'll make a real mess when you do it. It will be a continual mess, but you won't be re-ingesting crankcase blowby back into the engine. ( I opted to stay with stock, rather than deal with the drooling mess all the time). | ||
| Ratbuell |
If its a K&N, you are supposed to remove the filter. Spray it with cleaner from the OUTSIDE and let it soak for a couple minutes. Then hose it out with moderate water pressure from the INSIDE, which will push any dirt out and away instead of driving it deeper into the filter media. But I'm with Reep - I still have the stock breather setup on my bikes. Doesn't just cut down on the mess, but it also lubes the throttle plate and shaft enough to keep them from corroding. | ||
| Bike_pilot |
There's no point in cleaning it, air goes out of it, not into it. On the other end it'll be connected to the PCV valves, which are one way valves in the valve covers, allowing crank case gases to vent out. | ||
| Xaman |
Thanks for the help all. I'm no mechanic, so this is all new to me. Looks like I have a ton of reading to do just to try to understand what this mod involves. Hopefully I can get a grasp of the concepts! Air flows out of it, not in? That makes me think it's there just to catch all the crap that's escaping? | ||
| Schwara |
In the stock condition the crankcase gases and sploog (oil, unburnt fuel, water vapor, & ??) exit the crankcase and are routed up into your airbox. Those gases and other stuff mix with the clean air from outside and then go through your air filter before going back through the whole system again. Environmentally, it is a better option (in general) because all that junk doesn't exit straight into the outside air. When you read a bit out here you'll find some, including myself, who feel a difference in the engine performance once the mod that you have has been done. Some will say they didn't notice that big of a difference. Some people had the mod done and then went back to stock once again. If you do not have a catch can of some sort then the two places for the gases and sploog to exit are the filter and the final location where your line runs after your filter. When I had your set up I did notice a mist coming out of the filter sometimes. Some people complained about the smell and oily residue with this set up. Once I added my catch can I have not really noticed the mist as much and also don't notice a smell. I do empty my catch can at least once a week and to be a little more environmentally minded I empty it into my oil collection drip pan and then take it for recycling when I take my oil in. My catch can is a simple air compressor inline water separator from Harbor Freight. It is a gray color sort of close to the magnesium color on the Buell. I think Lowes has blue ones. They have a simple screw off clear "can" so you can easily see when you need to empty it. I'll try to attach a picture or two for reference. Mine is mounted just to the right of the oil cooler similar to where your filter is now. I did pull the inside filter guts out of mine and I also reversed the little spring valve in the bottom because by default it would open (& drip) with pressure. If you want more info on the whole mod send me a PM and I'll e-mail you some previous threads that I have saved. Good luck and have fun.    | ||
| Xaman |
schwara, That is very helpful, it makes more sense now. Thank you taking the time to spell that out. I had seen the filter once "smoking", so that must be the mist you are speaking of. I also have seen a drain line behind it, which I assume must be the drain, but have never noticed anything dripping from it, or never seen any gunk on my garage floor. I'll pay more attention now. I'll send a PM for those threads. THANKS. | ||
| Uly_man |
A clearer picture and it looks like neat job. I do like the black finish on these engines.  Since the bike has had at least one mod I would have it checked over by someone who knows the bikes to be sure its all ok. I found that the breather mod helped idle control and throttle pickup on both my 2006 and 2010 Ulys. Your bike has most of the updates/upgrades from the original Ulys. Check with HD for the last ECM flash as it does work well on the bike. Off topic but but worth doing mods, mostly cheap and do make for a better bike. Things I found a must to do and done on my 2010 bike as well as the 2006 Uly. 1) Breather mod. 2) All brake pads. Rear more so if you want one that works. 3) A cable tie to the top of the clutch cable boot. 4) An extra 10ml of heavy oil in each fork to improve dive and control. 5) Better quality lamps in the headlights. 6) A compact air horn. Lots of other things can be done to tune the bike to how you like it for yourself. | ||
| Xaman |
Thanks for that info Uly man. I'll look into those. I also know the previous owner put in a Race ECM, and an aftermarket muffler (not sure which one though). I'd love to get someone who really knows Buells to look at it. Know anyone in the Houston area? I'm north of Houston about 50 miles... | ||
| Froggy |
It appears to be a Drummer. Post more pics of your bike, I can tell you every little thing that was done. | ||
| Schwara |
Xaman - I sent you a PM with a 4MB attachment. Let me know if you have any problems with it. | ||
| Buewulf |
I am in the North Houston area, but I don't consider myself an expert in Uly aftermarket goodies and mods. All you need to do is post pictures on this site, and there are many people who can identify the purpose and origin of just about anything on the bike. | ||
| Xaman |
Schwara, got the email, I'll need to wait to get to my computer to open it. Thanks! Buewulf, glad to know there's another buell close anyway Froggy, here you go: [IMG]http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i138/xamaneli/4ffbabe2.jpg[/IMG]      (Message edited by Xaman on December 21, 2011) | ||
| Xaman |
More:    Definitely a drummer:   | ||
| Xaman |
A final one all put together:  | ||
| Froggy |
Wow that is nice!
| ||
| Schwara |
Your bike looks brand new ... it's a good looking bike. Your mirrors are not stock and I don't think your windscreen is, but both look good. Froggy was right in that your muffler is definitely a Drummer (obviously) and they moved your ECM for you ... another good idea. Nothing else obvious jumped out at me. | ||
| Badrap |
Nice purchase. It's too clean! Go out and have fun making a mess of it! | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
Too clean!! Get some mud and bugs on that bike at once! | ||
| Xaman |
Thanks guys. I'm having fun, my first bike ever. I've had it 6 weeks, and have almost 2k miles on it. It's been dirty, I guess I'm still in the honeymoon phase and do a lot of cleaning still... Froggy, I'm stoked about the 2010 rear wheel, that was something I was contemplating upgrading. Can I ask how you know the difference? | ||
| Desert_bird |
.... see black rear axle AND black bearing seals. Both distinguishing features of three-bearing '10 rear wheel. btw, nice ride, dude. | ||
| Motorbike |
Very nice, and clean! That's how I like 'em too. | ||
| Conchop |
Man I like that bike. Missing mine bad. Almost everything needed. I'd go with a xb9 primary drive and a free spirits belt tensioner. A set of bags would be cool too. Super nice. | ||
| Froggy |
You doubt my skills? Once another Badwebber tried fooling me into thinking his Ulysses was a cop bike, but I saw through it! | ||
| Buewulf |
Excellent setup. Someone really cared about that bike! You got a good one. | ||
| Xaman |
Thanks for all the encouragement and info. I'm really pleased with this bike, and more so to know I chose well, even though I didn't know what to look for Thinking about a 200 mile ride tomorrow... | ||
| Uly_man |
"Excellent setup. Someone really cared about that bike! You got a good one." This is very, very nice Xaman. Who ever had this before you knew something about the Uly. I can even see the cable tie on the clutch boot. The wear on the rear rubber looks like they rode it good as well. You may not know it yet but you struck gold with a Uly. This is your FIRST bike? Man thats great. I have had many bikes over 20 years and the the Uly brought back that "first bike" thrill for me. |
