Oil breather... do I need it?

[cody_clark]

What does the oil breather do exactly? There was a thread on it but it didn't really answer my question so I figured I'd just ask.

[monsta]

Like good wine the oil needs to breath, so we....

Ahhh, this isn't a silly question like your other one, I better answer properly..

Its acutally should be called a crankcase breather.
The pressure inside crankcase can can build up because of the pistons going up n down, and gas from the explosion on top of the pistons getting past the rings.
So, the breather is there to release some of that pressure..

[cody_clark]

Okay so I'm wanting to do a shock from a 999 with a resovoir and I'll have to move it. Is the tpo kit a good alternative?

[cody_clark]

Thank you by the way.

[Howie]

Are you asking about the part on the engine or the part under the seat?  The part under the seat can be removed, and a filter used instead.  This is what the TPO kit that I know of does.  What they are selling you is a K&N filter, filter oil, clamp and plug for the air box plus instructions.  Argumentatively, (big thread here somewhere) small power loss.  Trade off is getting rid of a lot of stuff.  Have you thought of getting an ohlins or other brand set up for your bike that fits without modification to the bike?

[cody_clark]

Yeah but an ohlins shock is Atleast 500 and I'm being generous. There is a guy 20 mins from me selling a sachs 999 shock for 35 bucks

[Curmudgeon]

Now WHY do you suppose that is? 

[xcaptainxbloodx]

because people dont know the value of things?

a local guy was selling a 999S for 400$ on craigslist in portland last week. it is now relisted one town over at 2k. slight rash on a fairing and missing the subframe

I dont think the OP is suggesting that the sachs is equal to the ohlins, but its probably 35$ better than stock

especially if you can flip your stock S2R shock for the 50-100$ they go for and actually get paid for a mild upgrade

[Curmudgeon]

If a Sachs for a 999 turned out to be an upgrade on an S2R which requires different valving and spring rate..., I'd be "shocked".   

[ducpainter]

Without doubt the Sach SBK shock is a better piece of equipment than the stock monster shock.

By the time you make it 'work' for a monster, if you even can buy parts, you'll have half the cost of the Ohlins into it for a new spring and valving.

Long story short...he's better off buying $35 worth of beer.

[cody_clark]

Well we will see. I'll let ya know how it all turns out

[xcaptainxbloodx]

new spring is $90-$120 ish. assuming he needs a new one. which it probably doesn't.

you wouldnt be able to get valving for it but you wont even know if its worse until you ride it. at 35$ to buy in, you could give it a shot and see if its worth investing in.  

if not, you flip it on CL or ebay for 50-100$ and make a little bit of cash to put towards the ohlins.

[Duck-Stew]

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.

[ducpainter]

new spring is $90-$120 ish. assuming he needs a new one. which it probably doesn't.

you wouldnt be able to get valving for it but you wont even know if its worse until you ride it. at 35$ to buy in, you could give it a shot and see if its worth investing in.  

if not, you flip it on CL or ebay for 50-100$ and make a little bit of cash to put towards the ohlins.

You should send him the $35.

[koko64]

What is the cost of a re-valve/re-spring of the S2R shock Vs a re-valve/re-spring of the SBK shock? Is there a suspension shop near you that can do the work and quote? Can some of the SBK shock internals be used in a rebuild of the S2R shock? Maybe the shock can be modified for a remote resi/canister? My local suspension guru doid that for me using a Showa canister. Might be able to have your cake and eat it if you're lucky. However...
If the result is good you did well, but if you need to keep going back and refine the shock to your taste then the $$$ add up quickly. If you can rebuild the stock shock for $200-$300 then it ain't too bad over the $600-$700 for an Ohlins. I used to do that kind of thing, but now I just cough up for the Ohlins (or Penske in my case). What amazes me is just how good the Ohlins are straight off the shelf given they're sprung for your weight.

On the breather box, I would try to keep it or at least do what Duck Stew suggested.