Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums Performance Mods K&N Filters - How to secure after Freak Install?

I have just completed installation of the Freak Kit. Overall, I was quite impressed with the ease of working through the airbox removal and freak install.

I seem to remember stories about people losing their Filters so I've been searching the archives. Unfortunately, I can't find the references to challenges people were having with the K&Ns staying put. I didn't feel very comfortable with the way the right side filter was going on...it either didn't get very tight (hose clamp) or when I tried to tighten too much, the clamp would seem to make the whole thing slip off.

I took the bike out for a ride to see how it ran. Although I was only out for an hour or so, I noticed that the right side filter had come loose. I had used a small cable tie just in case and I'm glad I did.

Finally to the question....

Have others had problems securing these filters to the carbs? Any pointers to either other posts or information that might provide some insight? Any suggestions overall?

Thanks,

Steven

Keep the mating surfaces super clean. No gas residue, no oil. Also, I safety wired mine to the engine mount.



Not very elegant, but totally effective.

My right one came loose too. I managed to get it back on and it's fine now. I think I made sure the hose clamp was as far forward as possible when I tightened it. I've heard some use RTV (Pat? he uses that on everything...). Maybe that will help.

The cure. When you put the filters on make sure the clamp is SUPER LOOSE. Loose enough to move around is not loose enough. This happened to me too. I put the filter on and I could easily pull it off. after I really loosened up the clamp I felt it go on further. and after I tightened the clamp I could not pull the filter off even with a lot of pressure. I have had them on for two years without a problem. Guys who have had a problem with them falling off never had them on correctly to start with.

FJ on the super cleaning and Kenny on the proper install have it nailed. I do both and have never had a problem with them falling off.

Thanks for all of the thoughts and suggestions. I saw that one of my hose clamps had been bent a bit so I went out to get a new pair. The new ones (standard hose clamps) were a little wider than what came with the filters (Freak Kit) and they appear to grab the carb a little better than the others.

They now appear to be 100% on there...They are on well enough that they don't move when I tug and pull on them.

Before I felt that I had to keep checking on them...not any more.

Cheers,
Steven

I have quite a few miles on my Freak kit with no problems. The K&Ns make a world of difference once you have the carbs re-jetted. Worth the time and money. You could even lock wire the clamps if you're so inclined and know how to do it. Of course you'd need to purchase predrilled clamps.

having made this kit, i feel the key is in not tightening to much or to loose. just snug it up with a little extra twist. to tight actually pushes it back. But hey do what you got to do to keep them on. I've been looking into some other way to help with this problem, the lip on the intake just isn't big enough. Any suggestions?

Hey Bill, where ya been all this time? What's Pickett up to these days?

Pics would be nice...

Hey John, been busy making Freaks, and whole lot more new ideas coming soon, Top secret right now. Tim's still around we went on a ride last week end 75 degrees blue skys can't beat that!. Hey Steven post a pic if you can or send me an e-mail, I'm sure alot of people would like to replace their clamps, myself included.who says OEM is best