K&N Clamp on Filter

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I have a 1974 Commando 850, I need to replace the air filter, and the air filter housing is pretty much rotted away too. I was thinking instead of getting a new housing and filter, I would get a K&N Clamp on Filter that will replace the entire unit. DOes anyone have an experience with these and if so which one did you buy and part number. I have both the stock carbs on my bike. Thanks Nick
 
I put one of those dual clamp-on K&N filters on my '72 Roadster and it has worked out extremely well. It leaned things out a tiny bit, you'll want to keep an eye on spark plug colour.
 
Ran one for a bit, threw it in the parts bin after a short time. I'll see if I still have is in the garage if you're interested.

Erich
 
I've got that KN on mine and I like it, but I had to make adapters to fit the Amals. The filter mouths were a little big for a good tight fit. And the Amal necks were too short to get a good clamping surface.
My filter is 35 years old, maybe they fit better now, I don't know its number.
JD75
 
I have had mine on my Norton for about 32 years now, they fit nicely and are easy to take off to clean and reoil, I have just removed mine as I brought Jim's flatslide and the old filter don't fit the new carbies, I was going to replace the filters that came with the new carbies with K&n filter but at $85 each nealy as much as the carbies.

Ashley
 
Just remember the engine orbitting aroubnd in it's iso mounts must move the carbs, add another half pound UNSUPPORTED at the END of that lever and it's more yanking and pulling on the carb mounts. JFWIW
 
I have one and it works great... It can be cleaned with the K&N air filter cleaning kit and looks WAY better then the original air box!!!! Go for it... There is also a chrome one that costs more but has a nice polished chrome end instead of rubber.
 
and not to start a flame fest, but the gauze and window screen K&N is merely a ROCK SCREEN, the fine particulate matter whistles right on through. A pleated paper filter is a MUCH MORE EFFECTIVE method of removing engine destroying dirt particles. The GREAT news is the Commando OEM air filter is of sufficient size, an engineering success. No restrictive tiny filter. Paper is life.
 
+1 on both points. it is also well known on the diesel forums that the K+N has a fine line as to to much oil or not enough, to much and it is a choke, to little and you might as well have a screen door on it. even with the right amount of oil it becomes highly restrictive very quickly. here is some good reading on the K+N
http://home.roadrunner.com/~jbplock/ISO5011/SPICER.htm

concours said:
Just remember the engine orbitting aroubnd in it's iso mounts must move the carbs, add another half pound UNSUPPORTED at the END of that lever and it's more yanking and pulling on the carb mounts. JFWIW


concours said:
and not to start a flame fest, but the gauze and window screen K&N is merely a ROCK SCREEN, the fine particulate matter whistles right on through. A pleated paper filter is a MUCH MORE EFFECTIVE method of removing engine destroying dirt particles. The GREAT news is the Commando OEM air filter is of sufficient size, an engineering success. No restrictive tiny filter. Paper is life.
 
Well I haven't had any problems with them in the 32 years of running the K&N filters after my last rebuild, I still run with my orginal valves and rockes, still on standard crank jounials etc, my motor has done over 120,000 miles, and is ridden 6 days out of 7, so the K&Ns have been doing their job, but its like everthing you need to do the maintenance when needed.

Ashley
 
ashman said:
Well I haven't had any problems with them in the 32 years of running the K&N filters after my last rebuild, I still run with my orginal valves and rockes, still on standard crank jounials etc, my motor has done over 120,000 miles, and is ridden 6 days out of 7, so the K&Ns have been doing their job, but its like everthing you need to do the maintenance when needed.

Ashley
That's impressive longevity! Rings, how many miles on the top end?
 
Rings where only replaced when reboar as for the top end guids where replaced when the head was worked on when the porting was done, I change my oil every 2,500 mile with out fail and I think the oil cooler makes a big diffrents, plus I talk to my Norton so weather that makes a diffrents :roll: I do all the work on my bike so anything don't go right it my problem, but so far every thing has been the right way and I have had a good relaitionship with my Norton.

Ashley
 
Hi,
I too have a 74 850 on which I had installed the K&N filter you are asking about. I did not run it very long before I when to a single carb set up. I still have it and its in practically perfect condition, if you are interested PM me.

GB
 
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