Air Filter Cleaning

Written by HighFive

One of the easiest and most effective things you can do to help your engine run at its full potential is to clean the air filter properly & frequently.

This is my procedure, which I developed through many years of Observed Trials competition. In Trials, engine tuning is often so sensitive, that good air flow can be critical to success. Here is how I do it.

Nothing really magical about it. No fancy wash station or special chemicals. No high dollar, friend-of-the-earth cleaners or solvents. Though, there seems to be a growing list of offerings available. Nope...my method is just plain, simple, & effective. And, it goes like this (for the WRR):

Remove the seat, then remove the right side-cover.

Then, open the airbox door. I changed the stock bolt with the phillips head to a hex head which matches the side-cover. So, it only takes me one wrench. Plus, the phillips head is pretty soft, & will strip out easily. The hex (allen) won't.

Undo the wire clip holding the filter down. Flip out the bottom portion first, then open the top portion. Gently remove the filter and then turn it over. You'll have a wire mesh cage to separate from the filter. This is a backfire snuffing screen...supposedly. But that's another whole article.

Slide the filter off the screen being careful not to tear any of the foam filter material. You can wipe the screen clean with a rag and set it aside.

Now I'm finally getting to the nitty-gritty. And yes, I'm actually doing this on my driveway....once again. You can use the garage. But, I like it better outside in the breeze on a hot summer day. Here's the secret tools of my trade:

A medium size piece of fine Tupperware (just get it back into the kitchen before your wife realizes its missing). Dawn Dishwashing Soap (one of my favorite two cleaning potions), and HOT water.

Just soak, massage, & squeeze the air filter. Be gentle...don't twist and wring it out like a wild man. Work it until clean. Then, empty the bucket and refill with another round of clean Hot water. Soak and squeeze the filter some more to rinse the soap out.

Now, you have to find a nice place to hang the filter for some quality drying time. Here is my favorite spot.

Edit: This WAS my favorite spot. Got to find a new spot now; and a new filter. My wife apparently decided she needed to drive my truck somewhere (when I wasn't looking). Personally, I think maybe it could have something to do with the "Tupperware". But what do I know? Let's move forward...

After the filter is dry (very dry) I apply a thin layer of Foam Air Filter Oil from an aerosol can. I love this stuff, and buy it at the local motorcycle shop.  Yes, I took this photo before my filter departed on its excellent adventure (you can see its still dirty in the photo....and I'm still waiting to read its 'soon to be famous' Ride Report).

Just apply a thin layer and massage it in....making sure the whole filter is thoroughly covered over the entire outside surface. Then, re-install on the screen, put it back on the bike, & button her clothes up.

I would have showed you the finished filter, if I could. But its kind of Missing In Action at the moment. I've been whistling and calling its name, but Lassie hasn't come home. Now, where did I stash that original stock filter...

HF

p.s. The orange filter is (was) a Twin Air. I usually  keep two filters on hand, so I can just swap out fast when I perform a cleaning. That puts my bike back in business pronto!  While leaving plenty of drying time for the "water" cleaned filter.....&/or the scavenger hunt along the highway (in my case).

p.p.s. Don't use gasoline, or any petroleum based solvent to clean your foam filter on a regular basis. It will cause the foam to deteriorate prematurely. In the case of a Twin Air, it will cause the glue to dis-bond between the different elements.

 p.p.s.s   If you want to use the new kind of miracle-working, specialty cleaners purpose built for air filters, that's fine.  But, if you like spending extra money like that, remember me too....and send a PayPal donation.  I need to buy a new filter!