1983 gs850G valve cover breather

[PugNug]

Bought the clymer manual for my bike and in the valve clearance adjustment section. I’m reading through following steps. I’ve just taken off the breather cover, and underneath there are two metal meshes, what looks like a carburetor float even though I know that’s not what it is and a passageway leading down the back of the motor between the carburetors that is full of oil, do I need to drain my oil before I do this? Stupid question I know but I’ve never done this before. Thank you for the help
on top of that, is there anything else I should know? any weird parts or things to look out for? other than that I’m just following my manual, thanks

[rphillips]

That hose plugs in to the top center of the air filter box. The oil vapor are routed through the air box, through the carbs and burned in the cyl. then sent out through the exhaust... Roughly the same thing as a PCV valve on a car or truck.

[dgates1]

Be careful with the valve cover bolts. They like to break off easily.

[PugNug]

Also the breather had what looks like extra fine steel wool jammed in it underneath the gasket, is that stock? Should I put the steel wool back in? Is it not steel wool and something else entirely?

[dgates1]

Yes that stuff is supposed to be there. 4 pieces, in 2 places. Catches oil and lets it Drip back down into the valve cover. Just letting the vapors through.

[Burque73]

Also the breather had what looks like extra fine steel wool jammed in it underneath the gasket, is that stock? Should I put the steel wool back in? Is it not steel wool and something else entirely?

It's not supposed to be fine steel wool. That would be too dense and just plug the passage. The stock mesh stuff is more like chore boy scouring pad that's porus enough to let gasses through, but catch the oil as Dgates1 mentioned.

Do you have an air box or are you running pod filters?