I have some questions about air filters and which type and cleaning method is really the best for a dirt bike.
I have been bothered with the standard cleaning methods for the typical foam filters for quite a while. Standard procedure seems to be immersing the filter in some sort of solvent (filter cleaner, solvent, kerosene, etc) and breaking down the oil to release the dirt that is trapped in the filter (and oil). My concern with this is that once you get the oil and dirt in suspension in the cleaning liquid isn't the dirt in solution with the liquid and therefore able to reach the carburetor side of the filter? If you just let the filter dry and re-oil it isn't the dirt just waiting to flow into the engine?
Back in my car racing days, the filter of choice was the K&N which is an oiled, cotton, gauze sandwiched between stainless mesh. All the flow tests I remember seeing showed it out-flowing foam and paper elements while at the same time providing better filtration than those media. The filters are cleaned by spraying on a cleaning solution, letting it soak, washing it from the inside out, letting it dry, and re-oiling it. I know K&N filters are available for many bikes. Has anyone had any experience with them?
Foam filters similar to those on dirt bikes are kind of a joke in the auto racing business but maybe I'm missing the reason they are the preferred choice for dirt bikes. From my auto racing background, I would think that a K&N or even a good paper element would be more efficient flow wise and filtration wise. It sure would be nice to be able to buy a good paper element for my KX for less than $5 and just chuck it in the trash when it gets dirty. This would eliminate any chance of getting dirt particles on the carb side of the filter.
Any feedback would be appreciated. Hopefully we can all learn a little bit. Thanks!!
I have been bothered with the standard cleaning methods for the typical foam filters for quite a while. Standard procedure seems to be immersing the filter in some sort of solvent (filter cleaner, solvent, kerosene, etc) and breaking down the oil to release the dirt that is trapped in the filter (and oil). My concern with this is that once you get the oil and dirt in suspension in the cleaning liquid isn't the dirt in solution with the liquid and therefore able to reach the carburetor side of the filter? If you just let the filter dry and re-oil it isn't the dirt just waiting to flow into the engine?
Back in my car racing days, the filter of choice was the K&N which is an oiled, cotton, gauze sandwiched between stainless mesh. All the flow tests I remember seeing showed it out-flowing foam and paper elements while at the same time providing better filtration than those media. The filters are cleaned by spraying on a cleaning solution, letting it soak, washing it from the inside out, letting it dry, and re-oiling it. I know K&N filters are available for many bikes. Has anyone had any experience with them?
Foam filters similar to those on dirt bikes are kind of a joke in the auto racing business but maybe I'm missing the reason they are the preferred choice for dirt bikes. From my auto racing background, I would think that a K&N or even a good paper element would be more efficient flow wise and filtration wise. It sure would be nice to be able to buy a good paper element for my KX for less than $5 and just chuck it in the trash when it gets dirty. This would eliminate any chance of getting dirt particles on the carb side of the filter.
Any feedback would be appreciated. Hopefully we can all learn a little bit. Thanks!!