Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums Performance Mods Triming the snorkel

A Triumph mechanic, at the dealer, told me after I changed the pipes and rejetted the carbs, that I should consider trimming the intake snorkel. Well it took me about a month or so, but I finally did it. I was reluctant because it is not reversible without buying new parts. WOW! What a difference it made in smoothness and response, through the entire RPM. Range. Triumph mechanic said it would help in the mid range, but it is noticeable coming right off the bottom. I'll admit I only cut it back to just under the divider, but that seems to be enough to get the job done. I think it was running a little rich anyway with the new jets.

The simplest thing to do is just completely remove the snorkel. That, of course, is totally reversible. Unfortunately, I first tried what you did, but ended up with it out all together. There's about as much additional improvement pulling what you have out as what you got trimming all but the top off.

My bike has always seemed the happiest without it, long before the BB.

just rip it out and enjoy

Frank

+1

If you ever need one (I don't know why you would...) I have 2 in my "things I really should throw away" pile in my garage.

Yeah but..., could'nt there be a problem with weeping too much water into the carbs without it? Years ago, I had a 360 Yamaha that used to drown out by water going under the seat into the "modified" air box. If you guys could adress this question, I would definately think about modidfying mine. And also, just this simple modification REALLY makes a difference in how it runs? Seriously interested in comments and endorsements.

Thinking of triming of the bit inside the airbox myself just as soon as the warrenty is up, and rejeting as well.
What size of jets do you have in?

Get rid of it. If you can find a good deal on one of these, buy it. I got mine for a song (and they retail for ~ $150.00)

Edit: BTW - I just got done riding approx 1000 miles in on/off torrential downpour rain with no issues from this mod whatsoever.

Jim, where did you get yours? I haven't seen them, but would love to have one. $150. is a bit steep.

Rich, so far after 13000 miles, I've never had any problem with water getting in. In answer to your question, Yes, it does make a noticeable difference, especially if you have less restrictive (non stock) pipes.

Bob,

I actually bought mine used from a fellow Rat.net board member in northern Ohio. $50.00 shipped.

God I love buying stuff "slightly used."

It's actually made by Norman Hyde in England. Here's a link... http://www.normanhyde.co.uk/search.php?parent=16&tag=20 towards the bottom of the page.

Looks like Mike at Bellacorse has them too: http://www.bellacorse.com/bce064.htm

Don't let Mike's statement "does not fit America or Speedmaster" fool you. It DOES fit.

To answer the jet question. I believe they are 132 mains w/ one shim under the needle. No change to the pilot jet. Triumph long off road pipes.

For a simple mod that is the most bang for NO BUCKS.

Now for taking the whole thing out, I'll give it a try and see if that give it as profound differance. I'll look into getting one of those venturie looking things to finish it off if I'm happy with it. Thanks for the advice again.

Jim, thanks for the input. I sent a note to Brent, but he doesn't have them. I suppose BellaCorse says for the classic models thinking the filters are different, the top must be. The filters are the same except for length. If you have one and it fits - that must be the case.

I'd love to have one but $159. seems way too high for the part.

Bob,

I agree, $159.00 + shipping is way too much for this. But like I said, mine was had for a song (couldn't pass it up.) The OEM air box filter top on all the Bonneville's has the same part number BTW....

Good luck,
Jim

Thanks for the replies/info fella's. I'm gonna have to get it done, but I'm really draggin my feet on the easy and obviously good mods recommended here. Heck, I still haven't got around to takin out the AI. But I guess I'm gonna. Today I did a major maintenence task. Changed oil and filter, new chain and sprockets, new sprocket dampner (t-bird) and new rear tire. About $500 clams. Whew! Now if I can just find some change for gas to ride the sucker!

A little squeeze and a pull and it comes right out. You probably gain more without it because the opening into the airbox is bigger. Feel around in the area forward of the aircleaner too, some bikes have a couple of rubber tubes in the passages to the carbs. They pop out the same way as the intake snorkel.

I trimmed the bottom off up to the top and left the directional spout on there, that was 26,000 miles ago!

Going to try removing it all together. One thing noted above, it was the single most notable mod that I have done where instantainously I could feel the difference. Just like trying to run while breathing through a straw, cutting that tube allows the bike to breath. Match that with exhaust mod and you have a happy bike! Happy bike = Happy you!

Go the full route and replace teh stock air filter with a high flow air filter in Uni Filter or K&N I am sure you can get those from two or three persons about here.

eddy

Pulled mine out four years ago.
If it ever rains, I'll let you know about any problems

+1 on the Uni-filter

This spring I installed a cover with a mesh screen that replaces the snorkel. I bought it from Jenks, but they don't seem to list it on their site now.

Anyway, I never had a rain/water problem when I removed the snorkel, but I did have a problem with small rocks, dirt, and even leaves getting sucked in there. None of that could pass the filter, but it was a pain cleaning them out of the filter. The mesh screen cured that.

JENKS also do a more economical rubber inlet £23, a modified snowmobile part


This may be the other inlet with screen £55

Deon and Nibiker, may be on to something. The one with the screen looks like something that can be fabed from the existing stock snorkel. A little sheet metal and some screen from the hardware store and some screws,.... Presto- Zappo and there it is.

Yep, that was it. The cover with the mesh screen.

I really like the raised funnel/screen. Something like that should be available for all the snorkel removed bikes.

Well, went right out and did the mod. Did some cutting around the top to make the hole a little bigger, then covered it with a big mesh screen. Have to say, I haven't noticed any difference in performance. I'll check the milage later. Still, I suppose it didn't hurt nothin.

I yanked that sucker out on the 3rd day of ownership. Pretty remarkable improvement for such a simple mod!