Can you recommend a washable air filter
 

I'm looking, as ever, to keep the spares down and was wondering what the low down is on washable air filters and how to care for them on the road, do they need to be oiled. I was thinking, can you get away with one spare, if you're away for a 25,000 miles?

Also any other advice on oil filers and break pads much appreciated.



[This message has been edited by iain (edited 04 October 2005).]

Hi, could you say which bike and where your going

Cheers Fish.

A very good point, it's an XT600E 2003.

Cheers,

Iain.

You could try Uniflow from Australia I have got one fitted to my car and intend to get one for my TT600RE

http://www.uniflow.com.au/make_bike_...sp?make=YAMAHA

They need washing and reoiling at service time, I think website gives more details on this

http://www.millisperformancecars.co.uk/

Might be able to source one for you in Uk they supplied my car one.

[This message has been edited by timtriple (edited 05 October 2005).]

do a search on the HUBB for "foam filter" and you should get lots of info.

Personally, I wouldn't use anything else for travelling.

Thanks for the info, really appreciate you taking the time to reply. Ta very much.

A foam filter does not work for this type, you need a rigid slide-type, like K&N. I've used K&N for more than 10 years now to full satisfaction. Even in desert raids [2 weeks of dust without cleaning].

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Fred, XTZ660, Holland.

FredXT,

Can this filter be cleaned and how long do you think it can last?

Iain.

As I told you, I have used it for more than 10 years now, and without cleaning it performs more than 2 weeks of desert racing about 5000 kms].

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Fred, XTZ660, Holland.

I didn't realise it was the same filter for 10 years, wow, that's some filter.

Thanks for the info and advice.

The K&N is an excellent racing filter allowing more air flow and thus potentially more HP with tuning. However, racing engines get rebuilt at least every season and thus don't have to live with the long-term effects of dust flow-through. If you're going to pass more air, you have to allow bigger or more numerous pathways for it to flow.

Practical experience shows that with many K&N applications, you can remove the filter, run your finger around the inside of the carburetor throat and find a light layer of grit. You won't find that a factory filter or with a good quality and properly oiled foam filter.

This is not an idle comment but comes from the experience of seeing many K&N equiped recreation bikes in a desert environment that need a re-ring after less than a season of casual riding under harsh conditions.

There is always a trade-off. If you want performance, the free-flow style filter is the way to go. If you want long-term reliability, you have no choice but to sacrifice some performance and go with a more efficient filter. Ain't no free rides on this planet.

So why have I never seen any dust on the clean side of the filter, or in the air filter box, or in the carbs etc.?
My opinion and experience is that if you oil the K&N correctly and mount it correctly and don't wash it too often and treat it as you should, nothing gets past it.
My bike has done 100.000 km. now and is still in good condition.

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Fred, XTZ660, Holland.

Ya, not too impressed with a paper air filter in a dual sport bike. I took a knife and cut out all the paper, then took some UNI air filter foam (you can buy it in sheets) cut the appropiate size foam and them used red Permatex to glue it to the plastic air filter frame. Put some wieght on it and let it dry for 24 hours. Oiled it and voila! I guess I'll see how long it lasts.

No good because there are no pleats, so too little surface, whch means not enough air flow, unless the foam is coarse but then too much dirt passes through.

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Fred, XTZ660, Holland.