Topic: K&N air filter

[emlupi]

I have a 1972 CB 750K with all stock jetting and air box. Is the K&N air filter a direct replacement for the OEM or will it require rejetting? Am I better served with an OEM replacement? Don't want to mess around too much with carbs.

[Bodi]

An aftermarket filter in the stock airbox rarely upsets the tuning much. Be careful with the oiling of a K&N filter though: over saturating the filter media will restrict airflow considerably, basically it acts like the choke is on. Just a pint tint is good. The oil will wick into white areas after application... you don't have to soak the whole surface.

[emlupi]

I wasn't aware that the air filter needed to be oiled. Please explain further.

[Killer Canary]

As Bodi said.
You'll also enjoy never having to buy another air cleaner.

[BomberMann650]

K&N's are great!

With the stock airbox you might be fine.  Just do plug chops to be sure it doesn't lean out too much. 

[scottly]

K&N filters usually come pre-oiled, ready to go, right out of the box.

[Don R]

 You only oil them after a good cleaning. I have a couple (cb and a gl) but not enough riding time with one to decide anything.

[emlupi]

You only oil them after a good cleaning. I have a couple (cb and a gl) but not enough riding time with one to decide anything.

OK, that makes more sense. Thanks for the input.

[ekpent]

 I have a couple in bikes with stock air box and never had the need to re-jet. If you want to start a hot debate ask which filters better stock or K&N. Things could get 'oily' if you know what I mean 
   On my 1200 Bandit the carbs from the factory or tuned so close to lean that a K&N is not recommended and will probably make it run worse on stock settings. Went with OEM style on that one.

[Bodi]

They used to be sold dry (white element) but folks were a bit dumb and neglected to buy and apply the red filter oil. Now most come pre-oiled - and of course ppl are still a bit dumb and neglect to clean and re-oil as needed.

There is a K&N filter cleaning and re-oiling kit available for around $15.00:



... but I'm cheap so I wash the pods in solvent until they are close to white then with water and laundry detergent to get the solvent out then hold each on a wet/dry vacuum until dry, maybe once a year (sucking the solvent out leads to unpleasant vacuum explosions). A squeeze bottle of K&N oil lasts about forever for pods... not so long on a large car filter.

[emlupi]

Thanks for the information.