Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums Performance Mods AI, Fake Air Filter

Hope these aren't dumb questions: What's the advantage of removing the air injection? I've seen references to the "fake air cleaners," what are those?

Removing the AI keeps your pipes from turning blue. Its important to some, but others don't really see the point. Most guy pull it. The "fake air cleaners" are the cheese grater looking things on either side of the bike just aft of the carbs. They are designed to mimic the look of the old triumph air cleaners.

Not dumb quesitons at all. We all asked lots of questions when we got our bikes too.

Can they be replaced with real air cleaners?

you can remove the airbox and put on "real" aircleaners but keep the chrome cheese grators there also. there only function is looks

Frank

Actually if you install the Freak kit the "fake" air cleaners now serve to protect the KN filters.

Where do you get the Freak Kit? What's inside the "fake" air cleaners as they are stock?

Where to get the freak- Warning: Hide your credit card, and THEN click here....

The "fake" cleaners are simply covers that hide part of the airbox.

Removing the AI also:
A) Stops the pop-pop-pop on deceleration
&
B) Makes it easier to get to the sparkplugs

And they're not dumb questions. Most of us have asked them before.

Removing the AI also helps keep the pipes from blueing. The fake air cleaners are just chrome covers to simulate the old Bonnie air cleaner look.

I was looking back on some old posts and it looked like people were saying there isn't a performance improvement with the 865 engine. I have a 2008 Speedmaster, will the Freak with K&N filters give me any performance improvements? I plan to replace the stock pipes with Bubs or Specialty Spares.

2008 is still not FI right? If so then yes you should see an improvement. You will be allowing the bike to breathe better but don't forget that goes hand in hand with rejetting the carbs so you don't run lean. The thing that doesn't seem to improve performance is the cam timing adv., thats a trick for 360 deg engines.

The 865 may not get the amount of performance improvement the 790 does by adding BB kit because of the different cams, but all the models get performance improvements from increasing the air flow in and out along with proper jetting. Adding the Specialty Spares, removing AI and snorkel, and re-jetting along with the UNI made a major performance difference in my stock bike. Other than the cost of the pipes, it's all cheap and very easy with no detailed mods. A stock 865 does perform better than a stock 790. With basic mods, it still will perform slightly better. I'm all for more torque which was the main reason I did the BB mod.

thanks...a few more questions...what's the BB kit?...I've seen lots of references to removing the snorkle -- is that the same as removing the air box? Are there any disadvantages to removing the air box and putting on K&Ns?

1) BB (Big Bore) kit is boring and swapping for larger pistons, i.e. 904cc.

2) Snorkel is a rubber (snorkel looking) apparatus that sticks out of the top of the airbox (look under your seat). It can easily be removed (or replaced) by squeezing and pulling out. It restricts airflow into the airbox. You can also swap the stock paper filter for a UNI that allows a little more air flow. No air box mod required.

3) Many swear by the "Freak" - an airbox removal kit with pod K&N filters. Personally, I want my airbox to stay right where it is and I don't see the big advantage. Each to their own, but I haven't seen a better dyno chart for what I'm looking for than my own - the most power and torque I can get in the 2000-6000 range. For those curious, my dyno at 5250 shows 60 hp and 60 ft. lbs. of torque. I don't care about a max. reading at 7500 other than making sure hp is increasing smoothly and air/fuel mixture is ok.

I know it's been posted before but does anyone know the part # for the K&N filters that hook up to the carbs (I'm planning on removing my air box in the near future), as well as a good place to order them? Other than that, the only thing I have to worry about is a bracket for the carbs, correct?

RC-2890 amd RC-2900

Maybe this should be in the Tech Vault if it isn't already.

Thanks! It may be in the tech vault. I'm still getting used to the site.

No I don't think it was, I sent the numbers to Benny to add to it though for future reference for others. I looked for them after I answered and didn't see them.

I had the 790cc,when I bought it new they told me it had 62hp,I got it dyno'd after I got the carbs and exhaust done and it said it was puttin out 62hp.Ithink the 865 is suposto put out 55hp stock.Inow have a904 kit in one and it dyno's out at 75hp.You will gain somthing with the k&n,carbs and new exhuast.

I believe the stated hp is at the crank, not the rear wheel.

Ordered the filters just now. I hope it complements the exhaust I just put on.

I think stock rear wheel HP is something like 52.

What is the model number of the Uni that you use? Is it the foam filter that is listed on Newspeedmaster?

Yes, it is a foam filter. I don't have the number, but NewSpeedmaster.com would have the correct one based on your bike model.

Hi guys, just removed the stock airbox & installed a Freak - can't wait to try it out when all mods on my bike are complete.

I also bought the AI removal kit & was wondering if there is any further use for the frame mounted reed that the AI rubber hoses went into but which are now blocked up?

What would be the impact if I removed the reed?

Thanks

Remove it all and plug the hole in the airbox, the only impact will be less weight on your bike!

cheers Runner - it's off now.