Oil breather... do I need it?

[cody_clark]

If you do put a K&N breather filter on top of the stock crankcase breather, try to put at least a length of hose between the breather and filter. 

This volume of air inside the hose (being larger than not having a hose at all) will allow the atomized oil droplets to coalesce along the walls and flow back down the hose and into the engine.  It's not as much surface area as the stock box and you will lose the vacuum suction from the airbox (minor I know, but it's something), but a length of hose is better than just a short filter clamped onto the breather and worse than the OE arrangement for oil control.

It'll also make less mess if you use a length of hose.  How much hose?  As long as you can practically make it, but I've used 6" with good success and minimal mess.

You got it. I'll definetly do this I'll let you guys know how it goes when I do it and I understand it would be easier just to fork uo the money but sometimes a challenge is good for the soul!

[rule62]

I took a 749 shock ($45 ebay) and swapped my stock spring onto it. While no where near a perfect set-up... it is certainly better than it was. I also swapped the adjustable dogbone and added a bit of rear ride height. For the breather, I just plugged the airbox with a part from ACE hardware and clamped a small filter to the end of the hose under the seat. While I was at it I flipped the R/R over and replaced the underseat plastic with a piece of metal sheet (also from ACE, I didn't even need to cut it.) So far so good 8 years later.

[cody_clark]

Cool sounds good. So your stock shock did work with the new shock. Good to know.

[SwiftTone]

Does the crankcase breather box under the seat need to be removed or is that optional?

I've been doing extensive research on compatibility of Ohlins shock from a different Ducati and fitting it on my S2R1000. I've talked to GMD Boston and Ohlins USA and they both confirmed that a Ohlins DU-8440 from a 998 will work, but it will need to be resprung and revalved. The geometry of the 998 suspension is very different. In addition, even though the DU-8440 have the same free length, the stroke is up to 5mm longer. Ohlins says that I could put a bump stop so it doesn't use the last 5mm but both GMD Boston and Ohlins says I can use the extra 5mm as long as I don't bottom out.

GMD Boston selected Ohlins springs 1091/34, but since I have a 1092/34 already installed on my stock shock, I can use that with no ill effect. 1091 is a 160mm spring and 1092 is a 170mm spring.The 34 denotes 100nm/571lbs spring. I weigh 155 w/o gear.

Cost? I purchased my DU-8440 for $300. Revalve + respring is about $350 including parts and labor.

Edit: I have a S2R 1000

[suzyj]

I did exactly this on my 695. Replaced stock Sachs shock with a 999 Showa & ohlins spring. I used the TPO breather kit to ditch the reservoir and made up a plate to take the vertical coil and rectifier.

It made a _huge_ improvement to the bike's handling. Much recommended.

[brad black]

did you have the shock valving changed?

[suzyj]

No, the stock valving was fine. From memory I'm only two or three clicks off the nominal 999 position.