Fun with the motorcycle (sarcasm alert)

[Doc45]

Got out this morning for a nice ride and to run some errands before the weather changed. I wanted to replace the paper air filter with one from K&N. No biggie, ran by the shop, used my 10% discount on parts/accessories and came home with the new one and a can of the K&N treatment spray.

Once the weather turned lousy I figured it was the perfect time to change out. Well of course one of the 3 screws that hold in the filter (bike is a Harely) would not budge so I had to drill it out. Shop inventory doesn't show any but they're pretty sure there's a spare laying around so tomorrow morning I'll go by and check. Oh well.

The best part is that I was riding this morning. Stay warm everybody.

[earplug]

Check out ACE or Lowes for screws.

[gnihcraes]

Check out ACE or Lowes for screws.

Or colfax. :)

The Ace up here has re-built their bolt/screw selection. Holy smokes. Doubled or tripled in size.

[UncleDave]

I am sure I have some extras laying around

[Doc45]

Thanks, my neighborhood Ace didn't have anything to match (it's one of the smaller stores). Not too worried, won't be riding again probably til Saturday, I'll find one by then. It's a T-27.

[Great-Kazoo]

Standard thread part.

[GilpinGuy]

I read a while ago that K&N filters actually let more particulates through than regular paper filters, though they do allow more air flow. Trade offs I guess. I'll never figure out where I read that...probably from a link in a Jeep forum. Anyway, something to think about.

[Doc45]

Interesting info on the K&N, been using them on all sorts of bikes, cars, trucks and "baja bugs" (when I lived in AZ) ever since the mid 60s. Never suffered any kind of engine damage on any of them.

[UncleDave]

I read a while ago that K&N filters actually let more particulates through than regular paper filters, though they do allow more air flow. Trade offs I guess. I'll never figure out where I read that...probably from a link in a Jeep forum. Anyway, something to think about.

Bull I have run K&N on everything I own for decades, with no ill effects. If you are in the desert like Death Valley with ultra fine sand, like powdered sugar fine you need to put a sand sock in the filter. That can pass through if you are dune jumping. But for normal use no. Just so you know I have gotten over 100k mile on everything that had a K&N. One word of caution, do not over oil the filter if you have fuel injection as the excess oil can coat the mass air flow meter and cause issues. If that happens you just clean it with some carb spray.

[Doc45]

Back on track, stopped by the HD shop this morning and indeed they had the bolts, gave me 3.

[Doc45]

All done, now just waiting for the nice weekend weather!

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i290/doc4545/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsvvnzdnut.jpeg

[Grant H.]

Bull I have run K&N on everything I own for decades, with no ill effects. If you are in the desert like Death Valley with ultra fine sand, like powdered sugar fine you need to put a sand sock in the filter. That can pass through if you are dune jumping. But for normal use no. Just so you know I have gotten over 100k mile on everything that had a K&N. One word of caution, do not over oil the filter if you have fuel injection as the excess oil can coat the mass air flow meter and cause issues. If that happens you just clean it with some carb spray.

Actually not bull... The filtration provided by the typical big name oiled filters is worse than the OEM paper filter would be. Running a K&N will result in more particulate than a quality dry filter.

The other part that makes K&N a feel good/placebo is that, while yes they do technically flow more air, 99.9% of the world has NO NEED for more air flow into their motor. You have to be producing a TREMENDOUS amount of power before an OEM paper filter is the restriction you need to worry about.

[Doc45]

So then it's kinda like a lot of the crap that people hang on their rifles if they're not a Tier 1 high speed low drag tactical operator. :D Seriously though in 50 years of using KN filters not a single problem, I'll stick with that.

[Gman]

I recently went back to paper. I don't think the K&N filters did my last Tahoe any favors. First thing I would do after getting a new vehicle was to stuff a K&N filter into it. After researching prior to buying my new SUV, it didn't appear to me that the K&N offered any appreciable benefit compared to the risk from the extra particulates they let through.

http://forums.nicoclub.com/debunking-the-k-n-myth-why-oem-is-better-t180100.html

[UncleDave]

Will a paper filter stop particulates better than a oil impregnated filter, yes with lowered air flow as a result. The size of particulates that we are talking about are so small if the filter is used correctly that it is insignificant as far as wear and tear goes. The benefits of the increased air flow are measurable on a dyno, which I have done. To each his own.