Project 14 – Air filter replacement

Changing air filter

1. Purpose: With a new pair of mufflers, air flows much better, which means the amount of air absorbed in the cylinder increase, so a new air filter with larger surface and capability will replace the stock one.
2. Questions around replacing air filter:
   Now, a common question arises: If I replaced the exhaust but didn’t modify the air filter, would I need to tune the motorcycle given the same amount of air intake? The answer is yes. In actuality, the volume of air intake does increase even with the stock air filter, though not as significantly as it would if I switched to a modified filter. This leads to another question: What if I merely tune the motorcycle and continue using the stock filter? In that case, the stock air filter would be strained and would get dirty more quickly. Now, one might ask, “Why not just clean it?” The problem is that the stock air cleaner is made of paper, making it non-washable. In contrast, a modified air filter is fabricated from fabric, allowing it to be washed periodically. But there’s a catch: the fabric’s tiny perforations, through which air passes, are larger than those in paper. How can this issue be addressed? I use a specialized oil to reduce the size of these holes. Additionally, this oil acts as a barrier against dirt (it sticks, captures the dirt). To clean the filter after extended use, a specific cleaning solution can be employed.Briefly, two advantages of after market air filter are larger intake surface, and washability.

3. How to do it:

3.1. Preparation

• A 5/16 hex wrench, a T25, a 7/16 deep socket wrench.

• Screamin’ Eagle high performance air cleaner kit.

3.2. Performing:

Uninstall stock air cleaner kit.Unscrew the center bolt which hold the cover of the air cleanerRemove the air filter by removing 3 bolts by the T25. Pull the breather tube out then pull the filter out.Remove back plate by removing 2 breather bolts by a 7/16 deep socket wrench.Install Screamin’ Eagle high performance air cleaner kitInstall the new back plate from the kit with the new gasket by screwing 2 breathing bolts by 7/16 deep socket wrench and by screwing 3 bolts with the T25. (this is not the reverse of the uninstalling step because the stock air filter is install directly on the open throttle while the new air filter is installed on the backing plate)Plug the new breather tubesInstall the new air filter on the back plate by screwing 3 bolts by the ¾ hex wrench  .Use the 5/16-inch hex wrench to screw the center bolt to hold the stock cover.

3.3. Before & after:

• Before

• After