Stock air filter properties

How fine does the stock, paper air filter filter-to?

Vince

Assuming it's of typical paper filter material, you can hope for >90% of particles 4 to 10um. Keep in mind that the ability to stop particles is pretty universal in all filters, but how quickly they degrade from new should help make the decision on which filter style to go with. I used what oil vapors do to a paper filter to help make the decision to spring for the more expensive wire mesh/gauze style. That, and they will go much longer between cleanings, due to their ability to accept a much greater load before the inevitable choking down of the incoming airflow.

Paper filters filter a bit better than filters such as K&N; there is a ton of data from unbiased sources verifying that. The advantage of non-paper is they can be cleaned/used pretty much indefinitely.

If I was operating in a fairly dusty area (which I am - Mexico's high desert) I would (and do) use the stock paper filter. If I still lived in NY, it wouldn't bother me to use a KN as far as filtering but since I prefer the bike's look with the stock airbox, I would still use the oem filter.

Pleated paper air filtration is proven effective. The Commando ham can is, however, an engineering failure (IMHO) in that it isn't rigid enough to seal reliably. :shock: It needs improvement, and that's on my list...

Concur. When I bought my first Commando (back when they actually MADE them), I was taught by a local Norton guy to put a coat of grease on each side of the filter where it fits against the back/front cover to ensure a good seal. Sometimes the front cover gets bowed from over tightening. Since then I have always had good luck by ensuring the cover is straight, grease is applied, and the bolts are just a tad more than finger tight (some blue locktite on the threads).

Thanks for the replies, you all have confirmed my plans.

Vince