Topic: What size/make pods for 550k?

[sweet_baby_james]

I have a 1978 550k with PD46C carbs.  They have 104 mains, 42 pilots and a 4-1 MAC exhaust.  I know the ideal situation would be to change to an airbox but for the time being im sticking with the pods setup as the bike has run pretty well since I acquired it.  I've rebuilt the engine and carbs and would like to spruce things up with new, clean pods. 

There seems to be a range of pods available out there and certainly a range of prices.  What make do you recommend?

Also, I measured the OD of the carb inlet and it was an oddball number, 38.7 or 37.7mm, can't remember which right now.  Should I go up to the next size of pods (39mm or 38mm) which would give a loose fit, or down to a smaller size (38mm or 37mm) to give a tighter fit?

Thanks

[steakCB550K]

I have the ones from cycle recycle:
http://www.newmotorcycleparts.com/fuel_system_parts/air_filters/pod_air_filters.html

they are 35mm and they fit well, and clear the frame without any problems.  I haven't had my bike out on the road yet so we shall see how they hold up.  I'm still sorting things out on my bike (same as yours) and hope to get it going soon.

You can also get K&N ones (cheaper on ebay):
http://www.knfilters.com/search/product.aspx?prod=RC-0794
I don't have any experience with these, maybe others on the forum can chime in.

[sweet_baby_james]

35mm seems like it would be real tight fit.  Do you have the PD46C carbs?  Unless I am missing something here?  The size is specified as the ID of the pod throat, which should match the OD of the carb inlet?

[steakCB550K]

I apologize if i wasn't clear.  I have the PD46C carbs on my 78 cb550, the rubber on the pods are pretty soft and stretches to fit pretty easily.  What pods do you have on the bike now?

[sweet_baby_james]

Not sure exactly what they are.  They came with the bike and have to identifying marks.  Are those pods from Cycle Recycle that you linked to Emgo pods?  I've heard not good things about them (worse than usual for pods).

[BobbyR]

Buy cheap Pods it will make you feel better about throwing them away.

[Lars]

Buy cheap Pods it will make you feel better about throwing them away.

+1 BobbyR got a point...

[sweet_baby_james]

Looks like I've started another airbox thread...

[steakCB550K]

james, yes those pods from cycle recycle are emgo pods.  I believe they are paper lined and yes they are cheap.  Maybe take a picture of your pods and post it up?

[wardenerd]

I have 4 youcan have for the price of shipping.

[freeze]

Don't waste your money on cheap pods, just buy the K&N. I run these on two bikes currently and really like them. I also like the velocity stacks with screens too. It takes patience to get them tuned right though, just use the Google search (on the left side of page) and save us from the purists and haters comments.

[sweet_baby_james]

I will take some photos tonight and post them to see if anyone can identify.

Wardenerd, what type of pods are they?

Freeze, do the K&N clear the frame? What velocity stacks are you using?

Thanks

[freeze]

The K&N's touch the frame. I'm using the stacks from Dime City, tried the cheaper ones first but found these to be only fair quality (very thin material) though they worked very well.

[sweet_baby_james]

On further examination is appears that the pods are Uni Filter.  No part number. Maybe someone can identify them from the pictures.  They appear to be a foam of some kind.  Measured the ID of the pod throat and its 38mm.  Measured the OD of the carb and that is 37.7mm approx.  I can imagine that these pods would have been loose! 35mm might be the way to go i guess.