Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech Air box explosion what happens?

I read in a post that people have replaced an air box that had exploded............ How does this happen, and what can be done to keep it form happening?

You can get more technical info from others on this site and possibly those that have had it happen. There are some simple things to avoid or do. Shut the tank petcock off when leaving the bike and avoid twisting the throttle when starting. It is happening from gas getting into the airbox and exploding.

The bike backfires, usually at startup and the pressure generated in the airbox blows it apart. Some say that fuel in the airbox which can get deposited there a few ways aids in the explosion in some cases. Another thing thats been mentioned is that if your airbox is modded, IE:snorkels removed, bottom drilled, aftermarket filter, that it's less likely to happen because the lesser restriction doesn't allow the pressure from the backfire to build up faster than it can escape.

The key to prevent this is don't touch the throttle when starting the engine.

It's right near the tank under the seat. A rubber nozzle looking thing, and you just grab it and pull and it pops out. It'll pop back in just as easy. Thats all you need to do.

I figured that was all there was to it, but I thought I would be safe and ask. Thanks.

It happened to me here in Spain three years ago, but I still can walk . Dazco is right. This procedure also helps: First push the starter button, hold it down and then start carefully pulling the choke knob until the engine is running.

Basically I shut the fuel off prior to shuting the engine down. If I remember, I do this a couple of minutes prior. When starting I turn key to on, pull choke out about 1/2 way and then start the engine. After the engine has started I then turn the fuel on.

I am not saying this will prevent the air box from exploding, but so far it hasn't for me.

Tom