Air filter

**SMOKEU** · 13th December 2011, 11:46

I opened up the airbox on my TS185 and noticed that it still has what appears to be the stock air filter which has a metal frame with foam/sponge as the filtration medium. The foam is damaged and has holes in it so I would like to get a big piece of foam, then oil it and make my own filter. Does anyone here know where I can cheaply obtain such a piece of foam?

The factory air filter only takes up about 1/3 of the total space in the air box, with the rest of it just being empty space in the middle. Now if I make my own air filter out of foam/sponge, then I will be increasing the total filtration area by at least 3X. Is this OK, and if I add so much more filtration than standard, will I end up choking the bike by causing too much restriction in the intake? I understand that air filter foam doesn't have a hell of a lot of resistance but I'm worried that by increasing the filtration area by so much more than standard it might not be a good thing.

It sort of like putting an air filter off a V8 onto a moped.

**Taz** · 13th December 2011, 12:15

Just buy an original suzuki air filter and pop it in. Easy as that bro.

"But, but, but I wanna........"

No just stop right there!. Trust me it'll do the job as if it was designed for it.

**SMOKEU** · 13th December 2011, 12:32

Originally Posted by Taz

Just buy an original suzuki air filter and pop it in. Easy as that bro.

"But, but, but I wanna........"

No just stop right there!. Trust me it'll do the job as if it was designed for it.

I did think about that, but then there is the cost involved...If Suzuki parts are anywhere near as expensive as Honda parts then I'm not even going to bother with genuine Suzuki parts seeing the bike rough and it only cost me $340.

**The Pastor** · 13th December 2011, 13:11

Originally Posted by SMOKEU

I did think about that, but then there is the cost involved...If Suzuki parts are anywhere near as expensive as Honda parts then I'm not even going to bother with genuine Suzuki parts seeing the bike rough and it only cost me $340.

You should be OK, but if it chokes it, just cut away more foam untill it runs better? Foam is pretty cheap all the dirt bikes use it.

**george formby** · 13th December 2011, 13:29

Para rubber is where I go for my foam....

I had similar thoughts recently, tried to make my own foam air filter. I could not get it to seal & knowing how much crap ends up in the air box I gave up.

**unstuck** · 13th December 2011, 14:13

Rip a hunk of foam out of ya grannys sofa.

**Sable** · 13th December 2011, 19:30

Go to a bike shop, they should be able to get in a sheet of TwinAir Air Filter Foam for you

**nosebleed** · 13th December 2011, 19:41

Originally Posted by SMOKEU

...it only cost me $340.

Then why bother with a filter at all?
Just ditch the filter altogether, induction roar ftw.

**Ollie.T** · 13th December 2011, 20:10

Originally Posted by nosebleed

Then why bother with a filter at all?
Just ditch the filter altogether, induction roar ftw.

nick a pair of stockings from your missus/mum/dad/boyfriend and just use those instead of foam

**SMOKEU** · 13th December 2011, 20:23

Originally Posted by nosebleed

Then why bother with a filter at all?
Just ditch the filter altogether, induction roar ftw.

I still want to look after it, I just don't want to pay lots of money on an air filter if I can make one for 1/4 of the price of buying a proper one.

**Taz** · 13th December 2011, 20:31

How much is a new one?

**SMOKEU** · 13th December 2011, 22:00

Originally Posted by Taz

How much is a new one?

I haven't asked but if it's any more than $30 I'm going to make my own filter.

**vifferman** · 14th December 2011, 11:58

BUy some Unifilter foam and cut one to suit. Lots of bike shops sell it. My current bike (and the last three) have all had custom-made filters.

**FJRider** · 14th December 2011, 12:15

If the (barely) existing one has holes in it ... even light cloth covering the frame has to be better than nothing. Too heavy foam will (as already stated) will choke it ... more fuel than air ... and never run well (unless cold)

As always ... with small engines ... small adjustments do make a difference. As do small problems fixed.