Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums Performance Mods Snorkel modification

Was just wondering if rather than pulling the snorkel completely out can it be shortened up or modified to maintain it's original purpose yet add a little snot to the bike?

A few guys cut it off below the filder cover... Someone even cut a bunch of holes into it.

I cut about 2" off mine, works fine and keeps rain etc out of the air filter. It's probably about another 5% more effective to remove the whole thing, but I'd rather lose that and keep the water out.

Matt

That is what I was going to do is cut it off. Did you notice any increase in power from cutting it off? Or isn't it worth even screwing with?

I tried just cutting the bottom 2/3 off.
Didn't seem to be near as much added performance as just removing it.
I don't know how water would get in unless you washed the bike with the seat off.

I rode with no snorkle for two years, never a problem with water.

no snorkle, under water!! this whole thing is getting to confusing for me!!

Don't forget to pull the 2 inner ones out too if you have them. I have had no problem with water. What did happen though is that darn sticker that is attached to the bottom of the seat got sucked in, but no harm of course.

BikerT

Yeah, I guess I am wondering how that thing would keep water out anyway. I mean I understand the concept but it seems to me that you would have to be riding it through a car wash to even get any water in there.

Hey Rick,

I started out making holes in it, then chopped the end off and then ended up chopping the bottom 2/3 off just maintaining the directional portion of the snorkel just above the holes I cut to keep it's shape.



What I noticed was it was the best non tech mod I did. The bike felt like it wanted to go. Mainly because it allows the bike to breath easier. It actually helped adjust the carburetion changes that resulted from opening up my baffles.

With the snorkel as it is, it restricts air flow like a choke partially on. When you alter the exhaust more air wants to go through so it leans it out causing more constriction at the air box (like with a choke on) Opening up the snorkel improved it. I didn't have to put jets in, and the dealer has twice now confirmed that it was burning good.

ed

I have a snorkel cut off with just enough left to stick in the filter. I have no more use for it as I no longer use the air box. If anyones wants it.

Hey thanks Ed. Great pics. So the mod pictured turned out to be the best of what you tried?

Hey Rick,

If you take the bottom part of the snorkle off just above teh holes I cut, that is what I have now. And it was a notable difference.

Is there really much difference with the top on and all the bottom cut off vs. all gone? I guess you are still restricting the amount of air that can enter with a smaller opening.

I have noticed one thing. On the top/rear of the airbox by the frames "crossbar" some dirt/sand kinda builds up. It seem like it stands a chance of getting blown right into the hole of the filter. Maybe, just maybe, having the top portion of the snorkel in still might prevent that crap from falling in.

Just some 2 cents..

Reid, I was worried about the same thing which is why I asked the question. I found 2 small leaves in my filter last time I checked. The bike is running very good right now, I guess I could try cutting the bottom off and putting the top on to see what effect it had.

I am contimplating putting the hole in the bottom of the airbox and covering it with a filter that i cut apart and make flat. But ahh, it seems good enough right now but, ahh i can't make up my mind. If I did cut the hole, i would put the top piece of the snorkel back in just to be safe with that crap that builds up.
Hmm i'm gonna go look, maybe there is a way to shim the top of the box so that junk don't build up and just blows through to the tire....???

I removed the snorkel altogether, used a hole saw & cut a 1 3/4" hole in the bottom of the airbox (between the positioning bumps on the bottom of the airbox) and cut the same size hole in the bottom of the filter. Works like a champ and didn't cost a dime.

Larry-
What about water or crap blowing up in there. Had any problems with that??

I did the exact same thing as ladisney but laid a piece of very thin open cell foam packing material on the bottom and placed the filter on top of that. This keeps crap out but still lets plenty of air in. The filter holds it in place and it actually makes a tighter seal at top and bottom filter gasket.

Do all models have the smaller snorkels?

I've just removed the main one, but couldn't find the other 2?

No the newer modles do not have them!