Ironhead oil through breather tube

[79xlh]

Hey everyone my buddy has a 1985 883 with a 81' ironhead and has just started to have oil come out of the breather tube . Is this normal ( i think not ) and what would cause this?
thanks

[runingmouse]

Originally Posted by 79xlh

Hey everyone my buddy has a 1985 883 with a 81' ironhead and has just started to have oil come out of the breather tube . Is this normal ( i think not ) and what would cause this?
thanks

Some yes a stedy flow no. The tube should be hooked to the back of the air filter in stock set up. They kind of work like a pcv valve, letting crankcase presure to release. Some people run the hose back to oil the chain.

[IronMick]

If the bike has sat unused for a length of time oil will have leaked past the check valve in the oil pump; it will than come out that breather tube. You would get probably a small amount then it would stop.

Where is the breather tube attached? Is it at the 11:00 o'clock or the 6:00 o'clock position of the generator part of the cam cover? Stock position on an '85 would be the 11:00. The 6:00 should have a plug.

[Shadowdog500]

I pumped a quart or so of oil on my driveway learning this. Also check the primary because the engine oil also filled that from sitting a few months. Now I make sure I run it at least once a week.

Chris