Bike Talk Motorcycle Forum Bike Talk Motorcycle Forum

Go Back   Bike Talk Motorcycle Forum > The Garage > Motorcycle Tech Talk


» Auction

» B-T Recommends:

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools
Old May 4th, 2007, 08:47 AM   #1
Has posted 500+
 
Peyts's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Posts: 667
Model: '07 Harley Davidson ElectraGlide Classic
Interests: Riding the bike (and the wife!)
Question Need Advice HD Air Cleaner Kit or K and N Filter

I need some advice regarding my air cleaner assembly for a Stage 1 upgrade. I have received some differing opinions, and I really have no idea who to trust... hence I need some advice here.

I have a 2006 HD Sportster XL1200L. I have already changed out the pipes, replacing them with Vance & Hines slip-ons. I am now planning on rejetting the carb and changing the air cleaner/filter to finish the Stage 1.

Here is my problem. I have been told by some that putting a K&N filter on my bike, using the stock air cleaner kit, is really all I need. However, the Harley reps tell me that I need a whole new Screamin Eagle Air Cleaner kit, which will provide a new backing plate... they say that the stock air cleaner kit will not allow enough air through and that installing the K&N filter with the stock kit will have little effect.

I am sure that changing out the entire kit would be better, but how much better? Is it actually worth the significant price difference with just putting a K&N filter on?

Any advice/opinions would be appreciated. Cheers!
Peyts is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links
Old May 4th, 2007, 09:49 AM   #2
Very Active Poster 50+
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 81
The K&N backing plate does away with the restrictive HD plastic housing with only limited air inlet areas. Have you removed any of your breather assembly to have a look?
Clem is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old May 4th, 2007, 10:44 AM   #3
Has posted 500+
 
Peyts's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Posts: 667
Model: '07 Harley Davidson ElectraGlide Classic
Interests: Riding the bike (and the wife!)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Clem View Post
The K&N backing plate does away with the restrictive HD plastic housing with only limited air inlet areas. Have you removed any of your breather assembly to have a look?
I am not aware of a K&N backing plate, just the K&N filter to attach to the HD stock backing plate. Either that or buy the whole new Screamin Eagle kit. I have looked at the stock kit... not sure if this is good or not, as this is my first Harley.
Peyts is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old May 4th, 2007, 10:51 AM   #4
Has posted 500+
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: middleburg, pa
Posts: 714
Model: 06 FLST hertiage, stage 1 1450 pc111
Interests: hunting,wood working
Occupation: medical asst. tech/DPW
good info

sounds to me that the steeler gave you some dead on correct advice. I'm of the impression that the screaming eagle air clearer kit is as good as it gets when it comes to air flow. they go for about 140.00 and are simple to put on. make sure when you get the kit it comes with the re-useable (pinkish) K&N filter and not the paper one.
skull2007 is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old May 4th, 2007, 01:11 PM   #5
Has posted 500+
 
Peyts's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Posts: 667
Model: '07 Harley Davidson ElectraGlide Classic
Interests: Riding the bike (and the wife!)
Quote:
Originally Posted by skull2007 View Post
sounds to me that the steeler gave you some dead on correct advice. I'm of the impression that the screaming eagle air clearer kit is as good as it gets when it comes to air flow. they go for about 140.00 and are simple to put on. make sure when you get the kit it comes with the re-useable (pinkish) K&N filter and not the paper one.

Thanks... so I guess that it is worth the cash, eh?


See my bike and accessories at
www.CruiserCustomizing.com - Peyts
Peyts is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old May 4th, 2007, 01:26 PM   #6
Has posted 500+
 
ringo912's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Michigan
Posts: 563
Model: Harley 02' Heritage Classic
Interests: Riding
Occupation: Riding - Semi Retired
You might want to check on ebay, you can get the HD screamin eagle kit cheaper than at the steeler. Or you can go with the Arlen Ness Big Sucker breather kit, which is cheaper than HD. You should be able to find both on ebay.

Last edited by kenfuzed; Jul 15th, 2007 at 09:52 PM.
ringo912 is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old May 4th, 2007, 07:23 PM   #7
200+ posts and climbing
 
Texas Road Glide's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Galveston, Texas
Posts: 346
Interests: ridin my harley
Occupation: constuction
i have the screamin eagle intake with a k&n filter on my 02 sporty,you wont be dissappointed..........although i like the look of an ss cleaner better.

TRG
__________________

1985 FLTC Tour Glide, S&S Carb, and Cam,and 6" Megaphone Pipes.
02 Sportster 1200 Custom, Stage 2 Screamin Eagle Upgrade.
Texas Road Glide is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old May 4th, 2007, 07:49 PM   #8
Has posted 500+
 
Peyts's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Posts: 667
Model: '07 Harley Davidson ElectraGlide Classic
Interests: Riding the bike (and the wife!)
Thanks for all the info and advice that I have received thus far... it certainly seems overwhelming that I should get the Screamin Eagle kit. If there are any other experiences with this, I would love to hear them. Cheers!


LARRY
__________________
[COLOR="Navy"]PEYTS[/COLOR]

[COLOR="Red"]"Some play hard to get... I play hard to want."[/COLOR]



'07 Harley Davidson FLHTC (ElectraGlide Classic)
'06 Harley Davidson XL1200L (Sportster Low) [COLOR="Blue"]*sold*[/COLOR]



Peyts is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old May 4th, 2007, 10:24 PM   #9
Administrator
Frequent Posting Club
 
kenfuzed's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,552
Model: Harley FLHX
Interests: Harley's, Saltwater fish tanks, and inventing new ways to keep busy.
Occupation: Web Specialist by day, 25+ years of carb building by day, hey what happened to my day?!
If you can afford the SE or Arlen Ness big sucker then they are your best bet. Otherwise the K&N filter (HD-8834) will still achieve much better flow than stock and typically runs around 65 bucks. I think the K&N mentioned earlier that has its own backing plate is only for the Twin Cam models, whereas the one for Sportsters is only the filter and uses your stock backing.
__________________


Enjoy the Ride!

Ken
Bike Talk Motorcycle Forum Admin
kenfuzed is online now  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old May 5th, 2007, 08:00 AM   #10
Has posted 500+
 
Peyts's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Posts: 667
Model: '07 Harley Davidson ElectraGlide Classic
Interests: Riding the bike (and the wife!)
Quote:
Originally Posted by kenfuzed View Post
If you can afford the SE or Arlen Ness big sucker then they are your best bet. Otherwise the K&N filter (HD-8834) will still achieve much better flow than stock and typically runs around 65 bucks. I think the K&N mentioned earlier that has its own backing plate is only for the Twin Cam models, whereas the one for Sportsters is only the filter and uses your stock backing.
Thanks, bro. I have started looking on eBay for the SE air cleaner kits... I don't mind spending the $$$, so long as it is actually worth it. Appreciate the info and advice!
Peyts is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old May 5th, 2007, 11:43 AM   #11
Has posted 500+
 
mwelych's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 1,211
Interests: Anything outdoors (climbing, backpacking, fishing, Mtn biking, riding)
Occupation: Chemistry teacher
Thumbs up

My 1st HD was a sporty and I was getting the 5K check up, when I asked the service Manager if I needed a SE air cleaner kit. I was told that with the newer ones (2000-on) they already have a high flow air cleaner. Purchasing anything else would just be overkill. So I went without and all was well. I thought why waste the money??? He did give me some straight up advice. Was an independent repair/custom shop. In fact the owners are pit crew members for one of the NASCAR drivers. Can't remember which one though.
mwelych is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old May 6th, 2007, 04:42 PM   #12
Very Active Poster 50+
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 81
Quote:
Originally Posted by Peyts View Post
I am not aware of a K&N backing plate, just the K&N filter to attach to the HD stock backing plate. Either that or buy the whole new Screamin Eagle kit. I have looked at the stock kit... not sure if this is good or not, as this is my first Harley.
Pey, "the HD backing plate that fits the K&N filter"!! No, K&N only makes filters for the Harley, no backing plates or bolts to hold them on. Your awareness overwhelms you! I think you knew what I meant....

I personally like the early version backing plate that was sold by HD that DID NOT include the breather ports. The breathers were through chrome bolts spaced away from the heads and rubber tubes (still available from HD) routed through the backing plate to the throttle body. Looks old school and works just fine - steel parts chrome plated...
Clem is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old May 8th, 2007, 06:20 PM   #13
More than 100 posts!
 
SkyKing's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Boise, ID
Posts: 134
Interests: Keeping Momma Happy
Occupation: Airplane Pilot
K&N does make a kit that includes a new backing plate. I put the SE air cleaner kit on my wifes sporty (It had a K&N filter), but I understand that the new SE Air cleaner kits do not have a K&N style cleanable filter, so I put a K&N kit on her Heritage.
SkyKing is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old May 8th, 2007, 07:38 PM   #14
Ted
Very Active Poster 50+
 
Ted's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 68
On the K&N web site for a ultra they have 2 filters RK3909 is 1 5/8 tall and the other one comes with a backing plate RK3910 is 2 1/4 tall. that seams to make a lot of difference surface aria.

Maybe that will help Later Ole Ted
Ted is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Oil gushing from the air cleaner mohoghunter Motorcycle Tech Talk 5 Jun 30th, 2007 11:21 AM
SE Air Cleaner EFI ? roadrnnr Motorcycle Tech Talk 3 Feb 20th, 2006 09:03 AM
Cleaning Up K&N Air Cleaner Painter55 Motorcycle Tech Talk 1 Nov 16th, 2005 02:09 PM
Air Cleaner question shopguy Motorcycle Tech Talk 6 Aug 30th, 2005 09:43 PM
Air cleaner dimensions leont53 Motorcycle Tech Talk 0 Oct 30th, 2004 01:51 PM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.0

All times are GMT -7. The time now is 08:05 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.3
Copyright ©2000 - 2010, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.3.0
BikeTalk Motorcycle Forum Copyright 1997-2009 all rights reserved


1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91