Foam air filter for 650 TA

[default]

Having solved a problem

[24ftlb]

Having solved a problem caused due to a OEM filter and planning some longer trips in far away places I looked for an alternative air filter. Found two filters but both are the cotton cloth type, searches on the internet appear to think these filters have short commings in dusty conditions.
From my own experience foam filters should offer good protection in dusty conditions and are re-usable which is really what I need for long trips. I contacted Pipercross filters as they have the AT listed to see if they had one for the TA and to my surprise they offered to make one if I supplied my old filter and air box. Well they had the air box for a few days and I am waiting for the filter which should be a couple of weeks away.
If you are intersted in a foam filter for your TA (or AT) I don't think Pipercross supply direct but they sould be available from dealers or do a google

Steve

The results of fitting a foam type of air filter were shown on phils bike on the dyno....a drop in horse power

Paul

[piguglyshandydrinker]

Hi, I made a foam filter by using an existing 650 filter unit and removing the pleated paper, a purchased faom filter for a Citroen BX diesel was cut to fit.

The Citroen foam (Halfords filter) was dual density, ie, a fine and a medium density foam, the foam layers were lightly oiled (squeezed out) with very sticky foam filter oil.

As Paul states, a before and after dyno run showed a 2hp powerloss though in real life this was not felt but the bike did also develop a flatspot between 5-5800 rpm. Do a search for the dyno run.
I ran with the filter for a while but now am back to stock. I would be interested to hear your findings from a before and after dyno run.

I wanted to go for foam to get the airflow of a K&N type filter and the filter quality of a paper filter - foam is the way to go!
I believe that an Australian company (Uni-filter) do a filter for the 650 Alp, which involves chopping the paper and using the stock housing, but the boy racer importers don't seem too keen to trouble themselve's.....

Phil

[piguglyshandydrinker]

Here's the link to the dyno run, mine is the 3rd chart down also showing with cat removed.

http://www.xrv.org.uk/phpBB2/viewtop...highlight=dyno

Phil

[piguglyshandydrinker]

Gas analysis was carried out before and after cat mod, that showed little change, also showed little power increase with cat removed. In the real world removing the cat makes a big difference.....

Unfortunately the gas reading did not register properly with the foam filter, so there is no reading for that.

The prices you suggest sound about average, a before and after run would be interesting to know.

I'm still left unsure about the whole dyno run thing, our guy was dying to get into the carbs to drop the needles and richen up the bottom end - below 3k was lean above that slightly rich. As I understand it dropping the needles wouldn't touch mixture below 3k...... The whole idea of the foam filter and dyno run was to try to improve fuel consumption, particularly at higher speeds/revs.

Phil

[babybadger]

If you want extra air into the airbox , there is another route........

http://www.thefang.co.uk/superchargers.htm

[criboun]

Hi Steve,

I guess you may have forgotten about this post (as I think it's 2 years old!) However, I'd be grateful if you could let me know what you decided on for you air filter and what happened in the end.

I'm taking my XL650 through Mexico, Central and South America this year and I'm also trying to decide what to do about my air filter. Books suggest getting an oiled foam air filter and there seems to be a mixed response online (although erring on the oiled foam).

Do you think it's work getting an oiled foam air filter and if so, can you suggest a make and model?

Thanks,
Ollie

[fatowl]

Be aware that foam filters do not filter as efficiently as a paper one. That might be of interest in Morocco. This has been shown by a number of tests/reports. I can't remember the links, but you can find them easily enough if you want by googling for them. ( I think I've posted the links before also).

[criboun]

Thanks very much for the info Steve. I'll definitely check out the Pipercorss oiled filters. Seeing as you've just done what I plan to do... I'm afraid I have a couple more questions.... Sorry!

They are:

Spares
How easy was it to get spares where you went?

From your experience, what spares would you recommend I take with me (brake pads, cables, levers, etc.) and what do you think I could get just as easily out there?

and Tyres
I currently have standard road tyres and I'm not sure whether to start with them on the bike and buy a more dual purpose set if/when I need them or buy dual purpose tyres in the UK and just ride around on those from the start.

What do you think?

Any advice would be much appreciated and I won't hold you to it, as I know it probably depends on a lot of factors.

[wheeliebin]

Much respect to you both Activ

Ride safe for the rest of your travels.