Looking for better aircleaners for flatslide carbs

jseng1 · Feb 10, 2014

I'm on a search for better aircleaners that fit and flow more air to flatslide carbs.

See details and requirements at:

http://www.jsmotorsport.com/technical_aircleaner.asp

Fast Eddie · Feb 10, 2014

Sent you a PM on this Jim.

worntorn · Feb 10, 2014

Jim, uni also makes filters in black with a chrome end cap. These were a bit tough to find, the dealer did not think UNIS with the chrome end cap existed. I had seen them in a photo, so he contacted Uni and got them in for me.

Looking for better aircleaners for flatslide carbs

gortnipper · Feb 10, 2014

I had a pair of filters that looked exactly like these chrome topped Unis on my mk3 in the 80s.
I liked them. Used to run them through the dishwasher at a restaurant I worked at to clean them. Boss was not keen on that….I think you can get them at JCWhitney.

http://www.jcwhitney.com/uni-filter-chr ... 88562.jcwx

There is also a poly capped version: PK-92 (2 per kit) – ID 2 1/4" OD 3" L 3" 40.95

There is also the Ramair MR-008: http://ramair-filters.co.uk/mr-pod-filt ... r-008.html

jseng1 · Feb 10, 2014

The problem is finding out which air cleaner breathes the best. Flow bench etc. I don't have equipment for that. The UNIs (with or without caps) may not flow enough. I need an accurate way to compare them while mounted on a wide open carb.

And the given lengths are usually the element lengths and not the overall length.

Hobot · Feb 10, 2014

I'm paying attention but for me realistic ratings must be of two kinds, how fine it filers and how easy it flows. Area and pore size compromises. Could stick a vacuum clearner suction on it with a simple water-oil manometer probe to find flow pecking order. A foam cover over fabric filter would interest me. Might call UNI and ask em to fab up a Commando specific as most the ones I've messed with that were compact withing confines of frame/tank all required some mooshing and binding.

gortnipper · Feb 10, 2014

jseng1 said:
The problem is finding out which air cleaner breathes the best. Flow bench etc. I don't have equipment for that. The UNIs (with or without caps) may not flow enough. I need an accurate way to compare them while mounted on a wide open carb.

And the given lengths are usually the element lengths and not the overall length.

I bet of you sent a head with one of your carbs and the different filters, comnoz might be willing to do it for you for a beneficial arrangement?

comnoz · Feb 10, 2014

I would like to flow one. No charge. I will even supply the head. Send a carb, manifold and air filters. Jim

gortnipper · Feb 11, 2014

I would love to see the results of the different filters, and against Amals.

Matchless · Feb 11, 2014

This may sound like a silly question but, are foam filters fire resistant in the event of a big backfire through one or both carbs? It would be rather upsetting to watch ones pride & joy go up in smoke.
Martyn.

comnoz · Feb 11, 2014

Matchless said:
This may sound like a silly question but, are foam filters fire resistant in the event of a big backfire through one or both carbs? It would be rather upsetting to watch ones pride & joy go up in smoke.
Martyn.

Not when they are soaked with fuel from the backfire. I put somebodies bike out at the INOA rally last summer. Jim

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqI-XYu5dKw

dennisgb · Feb 11, 2014

Don't know if this is what you are looking for. I bought this filter for my Mikuni. Had to search for a while to find it.

http://www.knfilters.com/search/product ... od=RC-1950

gortnipper · Feb 11, 2014

comnoz said:
Matchless said:

This may sound like a silly question but, are foam filters fire resistant in the event of a big backfire through one or both carbs? It would be rather upsetting to watch ones pride & joy go up in smoke.
Martyn.

Click to expand...

Not when they are soaked with fuel from the backfire. I put somebodies bike out at the INOA rally last summer. Jim

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqI-XYu5dKw

Damn. Somebody should have wrapped their jacket round up in there. I am sure the owner would rather have bought a guy new leather than rebuild the middle of his bike.

I am sure fuel soaked pleated cotton would do the same thing?

pete.v · Feb 11, 2014

I am a little confused. Is this about the best airfilter for these carbs or is this about the best airfilter for these carbs that will fit with the original rear backing plate in place.

There are many options that will fit, just not with the plate in place. I might think that if one was ready to make such a change, then the back plate would be of less a concern. If it is a matter of originality then you better put the Amals back on.

gortnipper · Feb 11, 2014

jseng1 said:
And the given lengths are usually the element lengths and not the overall length.

Bad manufactures if they state OD, but actually is element length.

But, it looks like you are right on Uni, as they say:

ID 2 1/4" OD 3" L 3" 40.95

yet

Product Dimensions 7.4 x 6.9 x 3.5 inches

Hobot · Feb 11, 2014

Not to worry Ludwig if the small filters flows well at all then its about impossible to clog up by normal conditions as it just can't catch enough grime to clog up, just pass it on to rings and bores then out the mufflers.
If grit has any effect on any feature of a C'do me and Wes have encountered it all in various accelerated wear issues. Now we only use the factory paper filter in the air box or classic pancake or conical-can type with an extra foam wrap layer around, which of course shoots the shit out of any cute sleek racer looks and I'm sure takes some 10ths of seconds off 1/4 mile sprints and top out speed. If street power is your prime motive not endurance then fit open velocity stacks and stay ahead of ring jobs and valve jobs. Youtube air filter tests for some sense of what the racey K/N type filters pass through compared to big ugly factory issue. Fleets have tried the K/N type, ie: oil free flowing fabric, for a few seasons then no more.

Fast Eddie · Feb 12, 2014

comnoz said:
Matchless said:

This may sound like a silly question but, are foam filters fire resistant in the event of a big backfire through one or both carbs? It would be rather upsetting to watch ones pride & joy go up in smoke.
Martyn.

Click to expand...

Not when they are soaked with fuel from the backfire. I put somebodies bike out at the INOA rally last summer. Jim

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqI-XYu5dKw

I know we're off topic here, but, does anybody know the correct procedure for dealing with a motorcycle fire in the absence of a fire extinguisher?
I had a bike catch fire, and ones instincts are all wrong when it comes to petrol, after all, the stuff is designed to burn! It is almost impossible to smother and fanning it certainly doesn't help!
I was fortunate enough to be within running distance of a petrol station, so I 'borrowed' one of their extinguishers.
But what should one do in the absence of an extinguisher? I thought about opening the cap and kicking the bike over, it wouldn't put the flames out I know, but it might stop the tank becoming a bomb!

worntorn · Feb 12, 2014

When I was 14 I put together a Matchless G80 from boxes of parts. On the maiden run down our long driveway,and with friends looking on, it backfired. The Carb, which had a sticking float, caught on fire. I was riding back toward the house, unaware of the flames, until my friends started shouting and pointing. At that point I stopped and ditched the bike (no stand fitted yet) which had a full tank of gas. The fuel then started pouring out of the tank vent, which increased the flames greatly.
My mother saw this from the kitchen window, grabbed a small box of baking soda and a large box of salt. She ran out and threw the baking soda on first, that got most of it out and the salt did the rest. The damage was mostly to my newly painted tank, and at that only to the paint itself.
In general, water does not work well with a gas fire, it tends to make things worse. It might be possible to put out a gas fire with water I you could completely engulf the flame with water, but spraying with a hose doesn't work well.
Baking soda or salt work great.

Glen

Fast Eddie · Feb 12, 2014

worntorn said:
When I was 14 I put together a Matchless G80 from boxes of parts. On the maiden run down our long driveway,and with friends looking on, it backfired. The Carb, which had a sticking float, caught on fire. I was riding back toward the house, unaware of the flames, until my friends started shouting and pointing. At that point I stopped and ditched the bike (no stand fitted yet) which had a full tank of gas. The fuel then started pouring out of the tank vent, which increased the flames greatly.
My mother saw this from the kitchen window, grabbed a small box of baking soda and a large box of salt. She ran out and threw the baking soda on first, that got most of it out and the salt did the rest. The damage was mostly to my newly painted tank, and at that only to the tank itself.
In general, water does not work well with a gas fire, it tends to make things worse. It might be possible to put out a gas fire with water I you could completely engulf the flame with water, but spraying with a hose doesn't work well.
Baking soda or salt work great.

Glen

Some baking soda in the tool bag sounds like a good idea Glen. BTW, this was mine, after putting the flames out, not a good day:

:cry:

worntorn · Feb 12, 2014

Eddie, that is rough! A horrible thing to happen to any bike, let alone a Black Shadow.
I wonder if talcum powder would work the same as baking soda. Talcum powder is something I already carry for tire changes.
Should do a test I suppose.

Glen

Looking for better aircleaners for flatslide carbs

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