K&N Filter install
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Back Marker
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 105
From: Elgin, Illinois
K&N Filter install
Hello,
I'm new Superhawk owner, the bike is a 2003, and this is my first time writting in. My question is, I just replaced my stock air filter with a K&N filter.
I noticed that the stock air filter had 2 rectangle cones that go into
what appear as breathers. The K&N filter doesn't have these. Is this somthing
that I should worry about? Should the foam material be removed? Or is it
okay being left in there w/o anything holding them in place?
Thank You
timdske
I'm new Superhawk owner, the bike is a 2003, and this is my first time writting in. My question is, I just replaced my stock air filter with a K&N filter.
I noticed that the stock air filter had 2 rectangle cones that go into
what appear as breathers. The K&N filter doesn't have these. Is this somthing
that I should worry about? Should the foam material be removed? Or is it
okay being left in there w/o anything holding them in place?
Thank You
timdske
Slacker
Superstock
Superstock
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 489
From: San Antonio, TX
Missing Plugs
If you bought the filter new, it should have come with 2 rubber plugs that cover those breather holes. Double check the box that the filter came in to see if you can find them. If those holes are allowed to vent directly into the airbox, the float bowls in the carbs will have negative atmospheric pressure which will cause the engine to run like a 3 legged horse at the Kentucky Derby. (well, maybe not quite that bad)
If you purchased the filter second hand, the seller may have neglected to include these plugs with the filter. Get ahold of that person and request the missing parts.
If you purchased the filter second hand, the seller may have neglected to include these plugs with the filter. Get ahold of that person and request the missing parts.
evil man of nothing
MotoGP
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,516
From: Boynton Beach, FL
If you bought the filter new, it should have come with 2 rubber plugs that cover those breather holes. Double check the box that the filter came in to see if you can find them. If those holes are allowed to vent directly into the airbox, the float bowls in the carbs will have negative atmospheric pressure which will cause the engine to run like a 3 legged horse at the Kentucky Derby. (well, maybe not quite that bad)
If you purchased the filter second hand, the seller may have neglected to include these plugs with the filter. Get ahold of that person and request the missing parts.
If you purchased the filter second hand, the seller may have neglected to include these plugs with the filter. Get ahold of that person and request the missing parts.
.....everything he just said....yeah it's supposed to come with two rubber triangular plugs that fit in there.
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 807
From: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
If you use the K+N without the triangular plugs, the motor will suck in the little foam filters the plugs are designed to cover and the motor will drawn in unfiltered air from beneath the air cleaner box.
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MotoGP
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,708
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,269
From: moncton nb canada
search thread actually helped me, wow.
alas i still have a question. the foam in those breather ports was disintegrating so i took them out. there was actually bits of foam inside the post filter area of the air box. my oem air filter was a mess so it is not going back in. if i order the k&n filter do i need those foam filters or do the two block off pieces eliminate the need for that foam?
alas i still have a question. the foam in those breather ports was disintegrating so i took them out. there was actually bits of foam inside the post filter area of the air box. my oem air filter was a mess so it is not going back in. if i order the k&n filter do i need those foam filters or do the two block off pieces eliminate the need for that foam?
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,987
From: Bisbee, AZ
I really have no idea how a K&N would perform on my bike. I plan on finding out as I'm due for an air filter replacement. I have a K&N that came with (bonus) an air box I picked up from Ebay. Who knows, it might be better than a **** star moving in next door.
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,269
From: moncton nb canada
i ended up ordering an oem honda filter. i also ordered the two little breather filters. my original breather filters were crumbling so i would rather use something else, but what? even a piece of t shirt cotton material would be better than those oem foam pieces.
VTR virgin
Superstock
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 447
From: Auckland, New Zealand
Before I read on the net that it was a Bad Idea, I too installed a K&N filter into my stock VTR. No problems here either after more than 2 years.
Junior Member
Squid
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 23
better than OEM air feeelter....
Ok so I don't wont to fall for any Bad Ideas™ from the web, haha, so if not a K&N what do you guys recommend for better air flow than the stock OEM filter? My 2001 has Two brothers exhaust and I assume has been rejetted (it came with the pipes on it) because it runs pretty nice, but I need to replace my air feeelter...has stock one now, probably original.
