How to Perform Motorcycle Air Filter Maintenance
For some really healthy potatering and throaty gargleblasting a Harley engine needs a steady supply of clean air. To keep foreign matter such as dust, beetles and low flying hamsters from clogging up the delicate mechanical innards of your engine, some bright spark back in the good ole days invented the air cleaner. Depending on the vintage or customizing level of your ride, these gizmos are filled with a variety of filter media. Reaching from metal mesh for the really old Linkert filters to foam elements or cotton gauze media elements (washable) to disposable paper elements on the later models. No matter which setup you run, every air filter for Harley-Davidson models needs regular attention.
Even when you’re not the heavy mileage eater, filters get clogged up with dirt after a time. Foam and K&N type air filters also lose their cleaning power due to the loss of air filter oil. The air resistance grows and the engine’s power decreases, the idle suffers and both you and your engine start feeling less than happy. Regular air filter cleaning or a proper air filter change keeps things breathing the way they should.
Service intervals can be found in the bike’s manual or in a model specific Clymer repair handbook. If you’re wondering how often to change the air filter on your Harley, once a year (or a riding season) should be the minimum. If you ride on dusty grounds.
It's not hard to do, so let’s get started:
1) Depending on your model,
remove the air filter cover, using an appropriate screwdriver, allen wrench, or just open the clips, whatever is applicable. Remove the cover and check what type of filter you have toiling away in this dark and lonely place. Foam? Metal mesh? A K&N type filter? Or a paper element? Identifying the correct air filter element for your bike is the first step before cleaning or replacing.
2) In the case of a paper element,
order a new one. To find out, which one you need, consult your bike’s manual or the model specific Clymer repair manual. Or give us a call at wwag.com, we’ll try to find out for you. (The question, whether paper elements can, or should be cleaned, keeps many message boards busy. We’d recommend to discard used elements and recycle) Jump to step 6).
3) If foam, metal mesh or K&N type filter,
spray the filter element with K&N air filter cleaner 97-251, let the cleaning action work for a few minutes.
4) Clean the element under running water,
giving it a good wringing, if it’s a foam element. Follow the instructions on the bottle. Let dry thoroughly.
4a) If the element seems no longer up to the mark,
discard, recycle and get a new one. Sometimes a fresh air filter for your Harley is the better choice than trying to revive a worn-out insert.
5) Spray the well dried filter element
with air filter oil 97-250 from all sides. Wipe off excessive oil. Correct oiling is essential when servicing reusable air filters.
6) Clean air filter base plate
and cover and let dry.
7) Place the filter element in its correct position
inside the air filter housing, fasten the air filter cover with mounting screws or clips. Threadlocker Loctite 97-220 is always worth a thought.
Make sure the air filter insert sits properly to avoid leaks or unfiltered air entering the system.
Bingo. You’re ready for some fresh wind in your face.