Air Filter Suggestions

I've seen a lot of posts (yes I did search before I posted this ;-) ) about air filters and what people use.

If there truly a difference between them all outside of cost? It the K & N worth the price? I know you can oil it and reuse it, but does it provide any other benefit? (better filtration, cleaner air, lasts longer between cleaning them out, etc..).

The bike I need it is a stock 81 XJ750 Seca - no mods or anything like that on it.

Opinions?

Thanks!

 

K&N seems to be the best value overall, as you'll keep it for the life of the bike and just re-oil once in a while. I've had mine for about 15 years now, and only re-oiled about 3 times - I don't ride in dusty conditions much. So in my case, long run cost is significantly cheaper than even the cheapest paper filters.

Any of the foam or oiled gauze filters have roughly the same properties -- they last nigh on forever, filter slightly LESS well than paper, and flow significantly MORE air than paper (less restriction).

 

Hey Chacal - any recommendations? ;-)

Especially if I am not looking to re-jet my carbs right now

 

would holes in a paper air filter cause a bike to not start due to lean mixture conditions? just had a thought about this, after i paid $350 for a valve job.... i screwed in a new fuse block a while ago and might have punctured the filter. any thoughts?

 

Those would have to be some pretty big holes...

 

Yes, holes in your air filter element can cause a lean condition; HOW lean and if it's the source of your problem would depend on the size of the holes.

Back to the original question: Personally I prefer the OE style paper element. They're intended to be "extended use" anyway; blown out from inside and reused until no longer able to be cleaned. I usually get two seasons and then replace regardless of condition; I consider it cheap cylinder wall insurance.

I've done the K&N thing in the past with other bikes; I never felt like it was doing as thorough a job as the paper filters.

 

Agree with fitz, use the original if you are not looking at a possible jet change. The K &N are good, but they let more air thru and may require a jet change. And without other mods. There will be very little performance upgrade.

 

What about and UNI Filter? K&N are "High Performance" Air filters. Meant to let more air through. Does my UNI have the same issue? It does not read High Performance

 

The UNI air flow is better than paper for durability and ahs slightly better airflow than the factory paper filter... it is considered an OE replacement.
it offers a longer life with about a 10% increase of airflow with the same ammount of cleaning surface where as the K&N increases the air flow 40%& cleaning surface by using a folded filter (accordian pattern)

In my area is a bit dusty some times and this is what i found
Paper OE filter $12.50
UNI Foam Filter $26.00
K&N Air Filter $55.00

Being the cheapskate i am i bought the UNI - so far its been a real good investment for the cleaning aspect.... easier to clean than a K&N when you flood out the engine and shoot oil into the airbox and soak the filter.

 

I haven't done this, but here's an idea,
get a $4.00 square pleated filter that is for a car, the smallest one they sell at Wal-Mart, glue it to a flat piece of plastic or to your old filter's base to adapt it into the airbox.
A Fram CA 10093 looks long enough to make 3 replacement filters for $11
and no one will see your ugly glue job.

 

But with and UNI do you still need to re-jet? I need to do a Plug Chop and find that out I guess. After I sync and Colortune that is

 

I have a UNI and all seems pretty good. I don't have white plugs or black plugs.

 

like minded we are i was thinking of doing that except with custom made pods

S!

 

I put a UNI in my XJ900 - ran the same, no re-jet needed.