dualitymike
Been Around the Block
Hi Folks,
I recently completed a project on my CB550 that I thought I'd share. Honda no longer makes the air filters for these and I've never been happy with the foam ones that are our there. So this week I took my OEM filter unit, which was totally clogged and in need of replacement anyway, and I used it to make myself a K&N filter. I tore out the paper element from the OEM filter and disassembled the frame, which is just glued together. If you're more carful than I was, you can get the paper element out without disassembling the frame, but mine was ready to fall apart. I used a wire brush to get all the dry adhesive out of the joints. Then I used half of a DU100 K&N filter. This comes as a cylindrical filter meant for a Ducati and it's exactly the right size if you cut it into two equal semi-circles. It's exactly the right width 2-7/8". Before I attempted to glue it into the frame, I made sure I used a K&N recharge kit to clean all the oil out of it. I used the same recharge kit to re-oil the filter after all the glue was dry. I used strong construction adhesive for the metal to metal joints and 100% silicone for the silicone to metal joints. I then clamped it with a combination of clamps and rubber bands - whatever it took to keep everything tightly in position. It's much easier to glue the two ends of the filter to the centre frame member, let that dry, and then put the sides on. I also made myself a new gasket from a sheet of 1/4" neoprene. No more buying air filters! I hope some of you will try this project for yourselves.
I recently completed a project on my CB550 that I thought I'd share. Honda no longer makes the air filters for these and I've never been happy with the foam ones that are our there. So this week I took my OEM filter unit, which was totally clogged and in need of replacement anyway, and I used it to make myself a K&N filter. I tore out the paper element from the OEM filter and disassembled the frame, which is just glued together. If you're more carful than I was, you can get the paper element out without disassembling the frame, but mine was ready to fall apart. I used a wire brush to get all the dry adhesive out of the joints. Then I used half of a DU100 K&N filter. This comes as a cylindrical filter meant for a Ducati and it's exactly the right size if you cut it into two equal semi-circles. It's exactly the right width 2-7/8". Before I attempted to glue it into the frame, I made sure I used a K&N recharge kit to clean all the oil out of it. I used the same recharge kit to re-oil the filter after all the glue was dry. I used strong construction adhesive for the metal to metal joints and 100% silicone for the silicone to metal joints. I then clamped it with a combination of clamps and rubber bands - whatever it took to keep everything tightly in position. It's much easier to glue the two ends of the filter to the centre frame member, let that dry, and then put the sides on. I also made myself a new gasket from a sheet of 1/4" neoprene. No more buying air filters! I hope some of you will try this project for yourselves.
