Ham Can Clearance

Can the RGM thin ham can air filter be fitted with the CNS starter?

I doubt it, the air filter housing needs to be shorter and the RGM is normal height just thinner.

kommando said:

I doubt it, the air filter housing needs to be shorter and the RGM is normal height just thinner.

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Correct. It is the height that is the problem. Not the thickness.

You can shorten it but you will have to do it yourself.

Yakatak said:

Can the RGM thin ham can air filter be fitted with the CNS starter?

Click to expand...

No, you need cNw's air cleaner.

johnm said:

Correct. It is the height that is the problem. Not the thickness.

You can shorten it but you will have to do it yourself.

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Nicely done.

850cmndo said:

Nicely done.

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Thanks. It's not too difficult. I did it together with an engineer friend. Shortened an original over a wooden former and just shortened and reglued an original filter element.

The air volume supply seems fine with carb settings basically standard Mk2 850. Eyeballing photos of the thinner RGM filter I'd guess the total area loss is maybe even a bit less with this shortened filter.

johnm said:

Correct. It is the height that is the problem. Not the thickness.

You can shorten it but you will have to do it yourself.

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Johnm,
You did a nice job on that! How did you get the lip on your shortened plate and what filter are you using or did you just cut the original?
Thanks,Mike

YING said:

Johnm,
You did a nice job on that! How did you get the lip on your shortened plate and what filter are you using or did you just cut the original?
Thanks,Mike

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As I said on my last post I just used a standard airfilter and cut it short and reglued it. Very easy.

To make the lip on the shortened plate you make a wooden pattern former and just shorten the plate and gently hammer it over the former to get the round edge. You will need to cut a few times to get the curves right. Then weld up the cut slits and clean it all up with a file for repainting. Getting attachments for the bolts can be a bit more tricky because the frame tubes may get in the way but the photos show how we did it.

A guy in Western Australia used to make them I think. Not sure why Matt doesn't offer something similar. For me the hamcan filter is one of the iconic characteristic looks for a Commando and I really didn't want the pancake filter look of other bikes.

This was as close as I could get.

FWIW I was able to fit the factory Ham Can assembly on my MKIII by reclocking the starter housing so the electrical lug would clear. I'm also using the pre MKIII battery box that will take a Goldwing Battery. As an upgrade to the starter I'm using the 4-pole field with that brush rack. Harley Sportster was the source but Prestolite made similar units for outboard motors too.