Breather + pods on a '77 GS400

[atchbo]

Howdy,

For a learning project, I recently picked up a 1977 GS400 that is a bit leaky and has white smoke. I'm looking to build it into something of a rat/bob kind of thing, and have welded up a solo seat, rigid struts on the back, etc. It came with gaskets and o-rings so I'm going to freshen the top end down to the jugs.

To improve power and to make room for my fender (now that the rear end is lowered), I'm looking to take the air box out. Also, because my mufflers have holes in them, I'm thinking of replacing them with straight fishtail pipes (maybe with 1/2 baffle from a friend). I know that this will likely mess up my carb, but with white smoke, from what I've read I'm guessing it's either running lean or maybe oil 'misting' from valve guides/seals. In any case, I'm doing a lot of stuff at once, so I expect to have to fight with the carbs a bit in the end.

My question is this: if I use the crappy EMGO pods, don't I need to find a way to hook the crankcase breather into the pods (so I don't lose the vacuum for scavenging crankcase air)?

Thanks for any help you can provide.

Atchbo

[salty_monk]

No, just vent it to atmosphere via a K&N filter on the end of the breather pipe, that's what the rest of us do... You could also pipe to a catch tank I guess.

Dan

[atchbo]

Really? Wouldn't it be better to put a PCV valve in there at least?

My other thought was to see if I can find a few inches of 52mm hose that could be used to make a 1 or 2 inch velocity stack before the EMGOs. The breather could then be plumbed into that piece of hose to maintain the breather vacuum. Maybe that's not necessary.

Atchbo.

[salty_monk]

No... most performance applications remove a PCV valve & go to a catch tank on cars.

You can do whatever you like, your idea of plumbing it into the side of a carb inlet just means it gets recirculated - better for the environment, that's about it....