Airbox Cut Out

I doubt it is going to hurt anything, but you will have to play with jetting.

Try running the bike without the sidepanals to get an idea of how it runs. I think I would make some sort of a test box to fit around the filter that allowed room for your hands. The one gallon milk jugs and duct tape eould let you find a design. When you find the perfect setup, get some good plastic for a permanent one.

I wish somebody invented big air when I was young! If your not racing you may want to remove the air box and use a carb filter – like a K&N brand. You must keep the dirt and dust out – very bad when it gets in. Would suck to have your engine quit in pre flight!! Using an aftermarket filter will make it lean – everywhere – so richen up. But – you will lose performance on newer models no matter what. Ever see a factory rider not using the air box these days? The air box is tuned with a specific resonate frequency to get the airflow right. The wave matches the carb and actually speeds up airflow at a specific time. The air box has become a tuning source in the past few years. On snowmobiles – the overflow tubes are vented into air box for further tuning advancements –which may not be feasible in bikes. Bob Hogg :whiner:

I don't have a airbox (the guy that owned my bike before me took it off and lost it) but I run a UNI dual stage pod filter. The only thing you need to worry about is you might have to change the jetting and cleaning you filter more often.

with just a pod filter you'll collect a lot more dirt and your filter will be suceptable to things such as water and sticks that could damage it, but since you're on a nice groomed track all the time bustin' tricks this doesn't apply :think:

I'd only make small cuts then, and toward the top, have you thought about maybe just cutting the side panels?