Howdy:

I'm thinking it's time to change my stock air filter.  I think it is the original.  My bike is a '95 with 7,000 miles.  Do the stock filter elements degrade with age?  My goal is more to improve mileage then to increase performance.  At my age my motto is "Built for comfort, not for speed".

I'm considering replacing the original filter with a new stock Suzuki element, a NuFoam do-it-yourself filter (ala Old feller) or ????  I do not like the idea of oiling the filter element, so the dry stock unit has an edge. I am suspious of the filtering capabilities of the K&N cartridge.  My air cleaner box and snorkle are in place.

I have upgraded the carb to a 55 pilot and a 150 main jet, and thinned the white spacer to about half.  I have replaced the Jardine (Too Loud) for a HD Dyna. The back-fire is gone and the ride is much more enjoyable with the Dyna muffler.  I am at 5,000 ft elevation here. I do mostly in-town riding and short trips.

I have/am considering running for a tank of gas without the element in place.  If I notice any improvement in mileage that would be proof that something has changed.  The downside is sucking unfiltered air into the engine.

I'd sure like to hear experiences and opinions on this issue.  Thanks, in advance.

Adios, David

Its time for at least a good cleaning with 7.000 on it. maybe, depending on your location, dusty or lots of pollen & stuff, its time for a new one. Theres nothing wrong with the stock filter at all. When I clean my K&N, I run my old stocker for the day. The jetting & exhaust you have should be giving you a pretty danged good ride.

Test that you can find on the Internet show that nothing filters as well as a manufacturer' stock design.  K&N was shown to let more particulate matter through, than a stock filter, as does any foam unit.  The tests explain quite simply that you can't get something for nothing.  More flow= more particulate matter.  As was explained on one of these  sites, a stock filter is designed by automotive engineers to provide the most possible flow at the best possible filtration rate.  It is a compromise of highest possible flow rate and engine protection.

Additionally, articles have stated that cleaning any filter must be done with the proper chemistry because your filter clogs with more that dust.  Petroleum contamination from exhaust and oil fumes, industrial air pollution and etc, cannot be blown out with an air hose.  They must be removed with some type of solvent or aqueous chemistry.  This is why K&N insists you oil their filter.  The petroleum based contaminants will not get passed the oil to permanently clog the filter media, and the K&N oil can be washed out along with all contaminants.

Brad_THMP3R wrote on 08/28/08 at 20:41:07:


Thats doesn't sound like one I'd clean. Sometimes, a replacement is just necessary.

Re: Inexpensive high performance air filter
Reply #6 - Today at 18:30:44       I've got the K&N slip in replacement, so when I'm cleaning it I just poke the old stocker in there for the day. I think Ill do this with the fram of the stocker( soon as I get caught up enough_) & I think I'll put the K&N back in the box & just run the homebuilt.

O.F., I have the K&N oil & cleaner. I dont have any Pam in the house. You suppose I oughta spring for the Pam or just use the K&N stuff on the homebuilt filter? You have any experience with K&N oil & cleaner?  
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Arrright..Pam, out, Mazola oil, in. gotchyaz,