Rubbermount_EVO A litt puff of smoke after throttle release

[Joe406]

I have a 2005 883C. I performed a stage one upgrade with Vance and Hines slip-ons, a K&N air cleaner, and re-jetted the carb after looking through the forums. It runs a lot better with very few "carb farts". I checked the plugs at different times. After 70 mph highway speeds the plugs are slightly sooty but look lean to me. Around town it seems to run a little rich, but not too bad.

My problem is when I rev the engine at all, after the throttle is released I have some smoke come out the exhaust from the front cylinder. I am running the stock pilot jet, a 170 main jet, and I did change the slide spring and drilled the hole in the slide only slightly larger. The idle mixture is turned about 2 1/2 turns out.

Everything runs fine, but I am concerned that the smoke is more oil than fuel. I am afraid it may be a big problem. I would also like to mention I only have 1300 miles on this bike and I am averaging about 46 mpg city and highway mix.

[FoxsterUK]

Smoke from one cylinder obviously aint great. Could be piston rings or valve problems. But before worrying too much...whereabouts is the oil tank level and how are you checking it?

[BWP 5p]

White smoke I assume?

[Jimbos883]

Sounds like valve guide seals to me.

Back in 2005 the MOCO had issues with the valve guide seals they were using. In fact a friend of mine just picked up a 2005 1200 Roadster with around 1400 miles on it. He took it into the dealer fro a few things and they found that the valve guide seals were bad and replaced them. They said that there was a recall on them but his bike was to old to fall under it. Could be the same thing you are seeing.

[Joe406]

Well, it is more blueish in my opinion than white. I noticed it after I rev it in neutral. Warm or cold it doesn't matter. I have a Kurakyn Hypercharger and i am using their breather. I did not notice it with the stock aircleaner. I talked with their techs and they say i should try their blue grass breather kit that exits into a filter instead of the intake system. I am unsure if it is worth the cash. And they state all Sportsters have this problem and that is why the oil tank cracks. I have never heard of this as a problem though. I guess I have a lot of research to do.

My friends say I should have bouth a Vulcan 900 or similar, but when I fire up my Sportster people look. When they fire up their vulcans I see no heads turn. I just want to make sure it is reliable and I am not riding it while a major problem exists.

[FoxsterUK]

Don't throw any more money at Kurakyn rubbish. The bluegrass breather isn't very good, it quickly blocks up because it has pipes leaving the breather ports vertically.

If there is a chance that its related to the A/C then try removing it and see if you still have the problem.

What's your answer regarding oil level and how you are checking it?

[Joe406]

Oh, I remove the dipstick, wipe it off and re-insert. I try to keep the oil level between the two marks on the dipstick. Oh and I check it cold while leaning on the stand. I assume it is a similar process as checkin oil in a car or truck.

The oil seems to be fine and I am not using a lot of oil. I have been checking it before every ride and it seems to stay pretty steady. I have never added oil before an oil change.

I agree after my emails and talks I do not like the hypercharger. Any ideas on a better aircleaner?

[FoxsterUK]

You should check it with the engine hot and with the bike on the stand. Don't fill up over halfway up the dipstick, think of halfway as the max and keep the level between the bottom line and halfway.

I'd recommend either of the two NRHS A/Cs, depends whether you prefer the hamcan or a cleaner look, both work great.

[misterT]

Thats too bad about the Hypercharger I like the lok but after reading numerous things on here I decided against one,I really like my NRHS huricane flow A/C.An external breather is definately better, I have the cheapo drag specialties breather and it has worked well. I also had valve stem seal problems in my 04 though I didn't really see smoke. When I removed the heads for porting and 10.5-1 pistons I found heavy deposits on the pistons and valve stems.

[Joe406]

Okay, I checked the oil hot. Guess what???? It is too full when it is hot. Does that make sense? I assume the oil expands??? It is all the way up to the underside of the plastic on the dipstick.

Could this be causing the oil burning? It seems like it is less noticeable as time goes by. I noticed today after I rev the engine I see little if any smoke at all.