I have everything minus the foam part. Any type of foam work? How thick should I be? Thanks TT for the heads up. Once I get the foam this will help with the condensation from seeping out?
I've never run the bike without the foam element. So, it's hard to identify with the "problem" you present.
I was told the foam element is NLA from Honda. It needs to be open cell foam, about 1/4 inch thick, and gas/oil resistant to break down. The foam cells should be rather fine, equivalent in filtering tunnel size as the main air filter element.
The function of this part is to keep unfiltered air from bypassing the main air filter, which would happen if the engine breather filter hose or the bottom drain hose failed or fell off. This would otherwise induce more rapid engine wear simply from a hose failure that could go unnoticed for thousands of miles. It also collects condensation, until the gasses from the crankcase get hot enough and have enough volume to re-vaporize it, there and carry it into the engine to be burned.
The main purpose of the engine breather is to evacuate the engine crankcase. The filter box drain does drip occasionally from the collected water, even with the proper end plug. The amount of dripping will be related to the humidity and just how much water is collected in the engine crankcase.
If drips are an issue for you, I'd guess you haven't run the bike very long with the breather fully operational. Or, you are doing a lot of short trips where the crankcase can't achieve full operating temp long enough to fully vaporize the collected condensation.
I know in the winter months here when humidity is high and I ride in occasional rain, I have to clean that breather element about once a month to keep it clear and flowing. The foam does retain some water during these periods, and can clog completely, which promotes rust on those element retainer parts. It is not a maintenance free system. But usually, its attention usually coincides with the 3000 mile maintenance interval.
I will mention that some have substituted a scotch bite pad for the element foam. But, I don't think it can hold the water collected over 3000 miles. (depends on your climate).
Anyway, the proper foam provides a collection point for the condensate, under normal circumstances. If the drain hose starts dripping at the slitted cap, then it probably needs cleaning/clearing.
For all the lengthy explanation above, it simply works quite well under most circumstances, with minimum attention.
Cheers,
