Motorcycle Repair: Bike drips oil from a hose when starting., oil seeps, vent hose

Question
Happy New Year. I have a question about my bike. I own a 1987 softail fxst. When I start the bike after its been sitting a while there is a little small puddle under the bike after the motor starts. I look under the frame and see a hose thats hanging in the breeze. I assume its a vent hose because I traced it out and it plugs into the bottom rear of the motor. Is this normal? I can't imagine thats ok. I see the drain hose for the oil tank and thats plugged ok. I plan to have my motor rebuilt next year but is this oil spitting out unhealthy? I checked the oil in the tank and it's full?  

Answer
No, this oil that is spitting out is not unhealthy, but it is a pain. Here is whats happening
When your bike sits for a while oil seeps past a ball and spring into the bottom end. This has been a problem for years with harleys, due to the fact that the oil tank sits higher than the motor. The ball and spring, located in the oil pump, is suppose to stop this. Over time, dirt, carbon or a weak spring makes the ball stay open a little and it weeps. When you start the bike the oil can't be pumped out fast enough and has to go somewhere so it goes out the vent and drips. After the bike runs for a minute it clears up.
There is one way to fix it. remove the spring and take a punch and hammer and tap the ball. this will reseat it. Also change the spring, yours might be weak, or last but not least, leave it alone and put a pan under the bike when you start it.
Good luck and happy riding
Mike