My air filter has bitten its last dust

[chasio]

The Freewind takes one of these (http://www.cmsnl.com/suzuki-xf650-1999-ux_model14295/filter_1378004f00/).

I've been using No Toil for a couple of years with no dramas (AFAIK). Last clean and re-oil was about 3000km ago and it looked and felt fine, last quick look-see about 1500km / a few weeks ago and it looked intact.

Went to pull it for clean and re-oil today and it has partially disintegrated. A section about 30 x 80mm had fallen into the airbox and was sucked up against the mesh. (Maybe why it felt a bit sluggish? I thought it was just due a clean!)

Anyway, these filters are unique to the Freewind, I believe, and NZ only sold 40 of the model, so it could take time to source a replacement.

How concerned should I be about running the filter with a hole in it for a week or two, if I have to? Should I rig something up to reduce crap being sucked into the carbs (and if so, what?) I am not planing any dusty / off-road rides any time soon, but other crap could easily get sucked in there. All thoughts welcome.

And also, could this be an effect of the No-Toil or just a natural "end of life" for the filter? I have had the bike 4 years but it is 12 years old and I have never replaced it.

TIA.

[paturoa]

Would a DR650 fit?

[Laava]

Whatever you do, don't run it with that piece of shit in there. It will be fragmenting straight into your motor. Best remove it until you have abetter solution. Wifes nylons? Over the airbox hole, not inside the airbox.

[paturoa]

....Wife's nylons over the hole, not inside.

For the BDOTGNZAphilles, I've added the apostrophie.

[chasio]

Would a DR650 fit?

Different part number and a different shape, but would be the best thing to try if I am looking at a long wait. Anyone got a spare one sitting on a shelf in Auckland somewhere, just for test-fitting purposes?


Whatever you do, don't run it with that piece of shit in there. It will be fragmenting straight into your motor. Best remove it until you have abetter solution. Wifes nylons? Over the airbox hole, not inside the airbox.

I thought as much :( Am kicking myself for not having a spare on the shelf, particularly as I planned to replace it in a few thousand kms, anyway.

I am not a fan of riding the bus so will see if I can acquire an old pair of tights.

[paturoa]

Have a look at this link for making your own, if the cage is still OK.

http://www.cycletreads.co.nz/products/247-air_filters/1955-uni_filter_bulk_air_filter_foa.aspx

Looking at the prices, it may be cheaper than buying a new one.

[FJRider]

Have you looked at any internet sites ... E-bay or similar .. ??? let your mouse do the walking ...

[chasio]

Have a look at this link for making your own, if the cage is still OK.

http://www.cycletreads.co.nz/products/247-air_filters/1955-uni_filter_bulk_air_filter_foa.aspx

Looking at the prices, it may be cheaper than buying a new one.

The cage is dandy. If I can't locate one from Suzuki on Monday I will have a better look, ta.


Have you looked at any internet sites ... E-bay or similar .. ??? let your mouse do the walking ...

The link in the OP is an example :) It's more a question of the time to restore full functionality that is a concern. A day without riding is (usually) a bad day. :scooter:

[chasio]

Whatever you do, don't run it with that piece of shit in there. It will be fragmenting straight into your motor. Best remove it until you have abetter solution. Wifes nylons? Over the airbox hole, not inside the airbox.

Right, have cleaned the sucker out (the mesh had picked up quite a bit of small sticky foam-bits) and the airbox cover is now rather fetchingly wearing the foot end of some black cast-offs. That effectively gives it two layers of nylon mesh filtering.

It won't have done much for Rogson's skillfully implemented airbox mod, but should do as an interim solution.

[pete376403]

That looks very similar to a KLR650 filter -
a few more than 40 KLRs have been sold....

[chasio]

That looks very similar to a KLR650 filter -
a few more than 40 KLRs have been sold....

Just one or two more, eh? Ripper, thanks. Will have a look.

[Laava]

For the BDOTGNZAphilles, I've added the apostrophie.

Yeah, nah, the apostrophe made the whole thing sound a bit smutty really!

[Laava]

I found one on ebay for about ten bucks also in the UK for about eight quid. Seems to be a unique
fitment

[chasio]

I found one on ebay for about ten bucks also in the UK for about eight quid. Seems to be a unique
fitment

Ouch. Looks like I need to find an alternative as Suzuki have none in stock. Ex Japan means 10-15 days and ~ $75.

Colemans were helpful and have offered to try a few on the cage for me, so I'll try that approach.

That KLR one does look very similar, though!

[chasio]

Update: the KLR 650 filter is too oval, but I have picked up a KX65 one that fits the Freewind's cage pretty well and is a similar size to the original. I briefly wondered if it would ship enough air for a 650, but concluded that is unlikely to be a problem. Will give it a crack.

[Mom]

Whatever you do, don't run it with that piece of shit in there. It will be fragmenting straight into your motor. Best remove it until you have abetter solution. Wifes nylons? Over the airbox hole, not inside the airbox.

Double layer please, unless really, really fine denier :bleh:

[FJRider]

How concerned should I be about running the filter with a hole in it for a week or two,

Running it like that means it effectively running lean.

[The Reibz]

haha we had a similar situation at work. One of our inflatable boats sucked pod filter inside out and down into the turbo. Broke all the turbo blades and spat them through the intercooler. 15,000 worth of damage, was awesome.

I have heard of people using chicken wire and foam to make there own filters. May or may not work. What ever you do, dont try and run it on pods. Its an absolute nightmare to tune and you will definitely end up with alot of flatspots

[chasio]

haha we had a similar situation at work. One of our inflatable boats sucked pod filter inside out and down into the turbo. Broke all the turbo blades and spat them through the intercooler. 15,000 worth of damage, was awesome.

I have heard of people using chicken wire and foam to make there own filters. May or may not work. What ever you do, dont try and run it on pods. Its an absolute nightmare to tune and you will definitely end up with alot of flatspots

Jaysus. Luckily my bike is worth a fraction of that, so the damage wouldn't be so costly!

The KX65 filter was a bit tight around the intake flange*, but there was plenty of foam so I trimmed it back to make the hole a bit bigger and I think it'll do alright.

Cheers for the help, folks. I'll be finding a cheap Freewind one and stocking up. It will make it easier to have two when cleaning it, anyway.

* I don't care if it is not technically a flange. Flange is such a great word that I had to use it. Flange. See?