I am going to Marocco in May. Recently I tried to take a look at the airfilter wich is placed under the tank. Considering all the sand and dust I guess I will have to clean it regulary so I wanted to know how to get to it.

For a start I couldn't get the fuel-tube disconnected wich means that you can't take the tank completely off. Ain't really handy. Can I just cut this tube in two and place a connecting piece in between that will make removing the tank completely possible in the future?

The airfilter on the new transalp is a dry on. Not the foam type you have to soak in oil before placing. My dealer told me I can basicly shake the dust and sand out if needed. But he did consider placing an extra filter in front of the air-in-take.
Euh, where exactly would this be? I thought it was in front of the tank on the left side. Who can confirm this?
And has anyone an idea how I could place an extra airfilter? Or shouldn't I bother about it?

Hey Fireboomer,
I would avoid using the paper air filters. Yes, you can knock dirt off but it doesn't work well. I rented an XR250 in Tanzania with a dirt-caked filter and efforts to knock the dust off were nearly fruitless.

And you don't want to carry spares if you don't have to. I'd get a foam air filter so that you can wash it as often as you like.

As for how to get to it, I have no idea. Amazing that something as frequently serviced as an air filter would be so hard to get at!

Wright

Wright,

Guess two options stay open:
1) I replace the paper air filter by a classic foam one. BUT, were to find it? Can't imagin someone buying a piece of foam and just cutting it out...?
2) Or I can place an extra air filter in front of the air in take. Who has experience with this stuff?

Have any other Transalp riders experience with this stuff?

Hai,

For the fuel-line:
At www.louis.nl you can buy a "fast-coupler" for fuel-line's It's a coupling device with a build in shut-off valve, so when you disconnect the fuel-line, no fuel will leak out.

For the air-filter:
The paper-filter is no good in the desert. It will fill up with sand and no air can get through any-more.
There are two sorts of altenative's: A foam filter or a K&N cotton filter. Both are oiled.
I don't know witch is best. Some say the foam (I don't know any brand, but at a dirt-bike shop you should be able to get one), others say the K&N is much better.
I have a K&N filter. (www.louis.nl) It's expensive, but lasts 1.000.000 (!) miles. Cleaning and oiling every 50.000 mile's under normal conditions.

I guess in the desert aspecially sand-build-up inside the air-filter box is the main concern. That's why there are "pre"-air filters. (K&N make's them also) They have wide openings, so they only filter sand and other big stuff.

Cleaning out the airfilter-box every evening is still a good idea.

Hope this helps.
Maarten

Hi
Not much use on the transalp, but I use these filter skins on my xr and they work well. Its like a sock that goes over the existing filter and they came in a pack of 3. Just pull the dirty skin off and slap on a clean one. Maybe something for you Wright.
On other bikes since then I just used some womens tights/stockings folded double and fitted over the filter which work just as well. For best results they should be oiled but this is a no go on the paper filters but ok on a k&n.
But on my old transalp, filter behind the side pannel, I was also worried about it at first. But it proved not to big a problem. A trip Europe to Australia I replaced it once and used compressed air to blow it clean (opposite flow) a couple of times. A trip Holland to Ghana I just checked it know and then and it didnt get blocked. So unless youre really hitting the dust solid for weeks I think ti should be ok.
Hope this helps a bit.
andy
Link to the msr filter skins:

www.msracing.com/hardparts/mafil.html#