Air Filters - Universal Thread

[sunilg]

Firstly @ Mods: This is my 1st thread so if I've posted in the wrong section, I ask for your forgiveness.

Now for the "duvidha" (quandary):

I have a Bajaj Pulsar 220F DTSi bought on 11th Sept. 2010. 1st service has been done. I had a Bajaj Pulsar 180 UG3 earlier which was modded to the hilt.
I am thinking of fitting a K&N air filter (R1100) to my 220.
Now, before you guys start thinking of telling me that my warranty will be void, I know that is the case. I'm prepared to let that go.
The actual "duvidha" is that have heard & also read somewhere that the 220 has a big enough carb, so I don't need to upjet the bike for use with my K&N. I wanted to know whether I'll still need to upjet if I do go for the K&N (which in most probability I will) & the other mods I might need to do.
Also would it be better to fit the K&N onto the carb or in place of the OEM filter? (is there a difference?)
What I'm looking at is better performance (read pick-up).
Really don't mind if the top-end is affected a bit as riding in Pune, don't get too many chances to touch 145kmph anyways!!!

So please experts (non-experts with some experience with a K&N plonked to their 220 as well for that matter) pour in your valuable suggestion & comments.

Query approved and threads merged.

[sunilg]

I have a 2004 model honda unicorn..i am a great fan of unicorn's revving sound when they are fitted with k&n filters..i really wanted that sound with my bike but around 2k was too much to ask frm me for a new k&n filter..however a friend of mine told me i'll get that sound simply by removing an air cleaner cap placed above the air cleaner..i did so and i got a sound very similar to what i like with k&n filters.!! Now i would like to knw if there is any harm caused to the engine or the air filter without using that air cleaner cap.? Because i dont want to cause any harm to my engine..i love my unicorn very much.!

Query approved and merged.

[ROCKRZ]

@ksml,
dude, put the k&n as soon as possible or put the stock filter back. The dirt will enter the engine and screw it up much faster than you can spell k&n. Are you sure that it was your friend?? Never use your bike without a filter. The engine will cost more than the cost of the k&n.
But in my opinion, go for the k&n only if you are looking for serios mods like over boring the block and ready to spend 10000+ bucks for this..

[ksml]

No no its not the filter that i removed..its a small bend that is fitted above the air cleaner to allow air only from one angle..once i removed that the air cleaner is more visible now when i remove the seat cover..

[ksml]

this is the pic of that air cleaner cover that i removed..pls tell me if there is any harm to the engine or filter by removing it..coz i'm loving the revving sound of the engine without it..

[PRANAV D]

^^^ Yes that is the Air Filter Snorkel. Well after removing that get ready to replace your air filter more often as it will get dirtier! And if you continue to ride with a choked airfilter then it will start harming your engine. Thats the only disadvantage i can think of

[ksml]

ok so if i very frequently remove the air filter and rub off the dust particles then its fine to ride without the air filter snorkel..is that right.?

[PRANAV D]

Ya that should be fine but the filter will still need to be replaced little faster than normal, But i guess that is ok as the actual yellow filter costs 90 Rs. only. And if you are going to clean it very frequently as you said then you will come to know when the filter gets dirty and needs to be replaced, thus preventing you from riding with a choked airfilter. So No worries carry on

Although keep a tab on the performance and mileage of the bike after doing this, since removing the snorkel will cause more air supply to the carburetor and can make the bike run lean! This is just a feeling i have!!

[ajay_vishvanathan]

how frequently am i supposed to clean the air filter of unicorn.. p.s. i didnt remove the snorkel.. cant risk my engine.. but when i rev it.. i dont like the noise.. is there any way to put it down?? shall i record the sound and post it here?? so that you can get to know more of my bike.. pls..

[ksml]

ok thnx pranav..i'll keep a tab on the mileage and performance..
this forum is so active and helpful when it comes to biking queries.! i'm goin to recommend this site to all my biker friends..
thnx to all the mods and other active bikers..

[PRANAV D]

how frequently am i supposed to clean the air filter of unicorn.. p.s. i didnt remove the snorkel.. cant risk my engine.. but when i rev it.. i dont like the noise.. is there any way to put it down?? shall i record the sound and post it here?? so that you can get to know more of my bike.. pls..

Well how frequently one has to clean the air filter depends on the riding conditions etc. Though at every service which should be at every 2500Kms your bike covers, ask your mechanic to clean the filter, or replace depending on its condition.
Well typical symptoms of a choked air filter would be
1. Jerky throttle response the bike jerks when you open the throttle and then moves forward. This happens at moderate speeds of 40-50 and above, doesnt happen in the first gear at very low speeds.

2. In the rainy season too the muck brought up by the rear tyre can clog the air filter making it soggy wet!!. When this is the case the bike would not rev above 6-7K RPM while running in gear that is.

Yes you may post the sound clip here, so that we could detect any irregularity in the sound etc.

[ajay_vishvanathan]

Well how frequently one has to clean the air filter depends on the riding conditions etc. Though at every service which should be at every 2500Kms your bike covers, ask your mechanic to clean the filter, or replace depending on its condition.
Well typical symptoms of a choked air filter would be
1. Jerky throttle response the bike jerks when you open the throttle and then moves forward. This happens at moderate speeds of 40-50 and above, doesnt happen in the first gear at very low speeds.

2. In the rainy season too the muck brought up by the rear tyre can clog the air filter making it soggy wet!!. When this is the case the bike would not rev above 6-7K RPM while running in gear that is.

Yes you may post the sound clip here, so that we could detect any irregularity in the sound etc.

here is the audio..

i also have a feeling that when i rev my bike.. i.e. at normal running conditions.. the bike is really harsh at 4k rpm.. any gear.. but when it reaches 5k rpm its smooth.. but since i drive at about 50 to 60.. the rpm is usually around 4k it bothers me a lot.. its like the engine is freakin stressed out.. the rev sound is like metal clattering.. not exactly.. but its kinda stressed out..

[ajay_vishvanathan]

please help me.. this thing is turning me crazy.. also when i drive.. some sound comes.. like a train passin by.. i have a feeling that my sprocket and chain needs to be checked.. MY ENGINE IS GOIN MAD!!!

[PRANAV D]

here is the audio..

i also have a feeling that when i rev my bike.. i.e. at normal running conditions.. the bike is really harsh at 4k rpm.. any gear.. but when it reaches 5k rpm its smooth.. but since i drive at about 50 to 60.. the rpm is usually around 4k it bothers me a lot.. its like the engine is freakin stressed out.. the rev sound is like metal clattering.. not exactly.. but its kinda stressed out..

Sorry for the tardy reply Didnt check on the Air Filters Universal thread.
THat sound is funny!! Get your tappets checked, it could be tappet noise (clattering kind of sound). Chain or sprocket seems unlikely, though since you thought about it try checking it. But i think it could be tappet noise.

And about the revs even my Uni vibrates at 5K RPM at 60 the most. Then it gets sorted out once i reach 70 or so. So thats normal i guess.

[ajay_vishvanathan]

Sorry for the tardy reply Didnt check on the Air Filters Universal thread.
THat sound is funny!! Get your tappets checked, it could be tappet noise (clattering kind of sound). Chain or sprocket seems unlikely, though since you thought about it try checking it. But i think it could be tappet noise.

And about the revs even my Uni vibrates at 5K RPM at 60 the most. Then it gets sorted out once i reach 70 or so. So thats normal i guess.

ok.. thanks.. but whats a tappet??