Air Intake question

[Sharribee]

Now rememeber guys that you will need to explain very slowly and clearly because I still don't really grasp the technical stuff. Use easy to understand words.

Mr Mabel has mentioned something about drilling holes in Twinkletoes air intake to improve performance. now I am very dubious about drilling holes in my beloved so what do you lot reckon????

Have any of you done it and what difference did it make

Thankyou
xxxxxx

[piguglyshandydrinker]

Hi Mabel,

A few of us have done a couple of mod's,
One is to remove the catylist/subchamber, this is part of the exhaust system and lives inder the front of the swingarm (silver bit that the back wheel is bolted too), this needs the front of the exhaust system removing and someone with a big angle grinder and (stainless) welder to sort, so is a bit more involving.
Expect more ooomph/throttle response and better fuel economy below 6000rpm (no noticable change above that).


The mod that you mention, involves drilling some holes in the airbox lid, this simple (and free) modification improves top end power a little (every bike that this mod has been carried out on, the rider has noticed an improvement), I have also drilled the airbox lid on a friends new Alp (under warranty still), without the exhaust mod, and it still makes a difference.

To gain access to the airbox, you (or Mr Mabel ) will need to remove the tank to gain access to the airbox/lid.

John (Wheeliebin) and myself have had some dyno runs with the bikes at different stages of modding and in both our cases no carburettor/jetting modifications were required.
BUT it would still be safer to have a dyno run after any modification that may affect fueling.

Heres a pic of the cat removed and the holes drilled in the airbox lid (about 8 of 10mm will do).

http://www.techtransalp.co.uk/mods.html

Phil

[Sharribee]

Thanks Phil, very easy to understand even I could make out what you were on about. Might convince Mr Mabel to do a bit of tinkering this weekend then.

[GW_elder]

Have you also considered K&N airfilter. Stuck one in my '03 Transalp, sounds a lot better, seems a little faster. Didn't try hole drilling thing maybe next time. Also if you're taking tank off, you might consider changing spark plugs ? They're a bloody pain to get to Good luck

[Sharribee]

just done the spark plugs, no havent tried a different air flilter (to be honest not really sure where it is) but hey thats what Mr Mabels for

[piguglyshandydrinker]

just done the spark plugs, no havent tried a different air flilter (to be honest not really sure where it is) but hey thats what Mr Mabels for

Mabel,

The air filter lives in the airbox which lives under the tank, I think Honda specify a 12,000 mile replacement, mine was fairly grubby at 8k, worthwhile fitting a new one if it's nearly due, I'm on stock Honda, not keen on the hype/build of the K&N which have higher (potential) airflow but poorer filtration than a stock filter.

Phil

[Recycler]

Don't forget that a dyno does not allow for the 'ram-air effect' - on the road air will be forced into the box faster.

Do you find Twinkletoes too slow?
Personally I would only try this after K&N/Dynojet/Can.

The choice............................is yours (heard that on a quiz show).

[wheeliebin]

Don't forget that a dyno does not allow for the 'ram-air effect' - on the road air will be forced into the box faster.

Sorry, may have been me to start that rumour

The truth is, the fairing does such a good job of shielding the airflow, there is no ram-air effect.

[Sharribee]

Don't forget that a dyno does not allow for the 'ram-air effect' - on the road air will be forced into the box faster.

Do you find Twinkletoes too slow?
Personally I would only try this after K&N/Dynojet/Can.

The choice............................is yours (heard that on a quiz show).

Ok I did really well up to this point now you guys have lost me with dynos and ram effect but M Mabel has just done an impression of RAM effect - very funny he is stood in my lounge sucking air through his mouth demonstrating 30 MPH then 70 MPH, can't stop laughing but I think I get the drift

[piguglyshandydrinker]

Mabel,

Don't worry about this ram air effect, the airbox is buried under the tank, which is hidden behind the fairing. ie sheltered.

If worst comes to worst and you don't like the feel of the bike with holes drilled simply tape them up or get hubby to buy you some grommets for Xmas.

There are four of us (that I know of) with holes drilled all of us are very happy with the way the bike runs and feels.

There are three of us (that I know of) with the cat removed, all of us are happy with the way the bike runs and feels.

Don't be too hard on Mr Mabel, he's only trying to help

Phil