Topic: Air filter preference?

[Scott S]

 '71 CB500

 What's your preferred air filter for the stock air box and why?
 
 K&N (I've had good luck with these over the years but pricey )

 Uni-Filter (looks like a less expensive alternative to the K&N but I don't have much experience with them)

 Stock replacement (semi affordable, but genuine Honda or aftermarket? And where do you get yours?)

[Duke McDukiedook]

K&N lokks cheaper and cheaper considering they last for a loooong time.

[Frankenkit]

I noticed a power difference putting the K&N on the cb650... when I finally need one on the Chevy, I'm getting a K&N for it, too.

[Inigo Montoya]

K7N. The honda filter is not cheap for a 750. The after markets are not always that good.

[TwoTired]

'71 CB500

 What's your preferred air filter for the stock air box and why?
 
 K&N (I've had good luck with these over the years but pricey )

 Uni-Filter (looks like a less expensive alternative to the K&N but I don't have much experience with them)

 Stock replacement (semi affordable, but genuine Honda or aftermarket? And where do you get yours?)

Where did you find a K&N for the stock air filter box on the CB500?  I thought they had discontinued them.

I use the Uni NU-4055 filter, and have for about 15-20 years.  I like that it is reusable.  And this makes it the most economical.  The foam is kind of a statistical filter rather than the stock absolute type.  So, if you are operating in really dusty environments, the stock filter can save your rings and cylinder walls.  But, the stock filter always needed replacement on a yearly basis, due to the paper filter fibers sagging and getting ever more restrictive, as well as trapping some particles that can never be cleaned out of it.

On average, I get better gas mileage overall with the UNI filters. As they have slightly less pressure drop across the membrane and this remains so between cleanings.

In my experience, of course.

[Scott S]

Where did you find a K&N for the stock air filter box on the CB500?  I thought they had discontinued them.

 Well, I see them listed on ebay. I haven't tried to order one yet, though.

[westondc]

'71 CB500

 What's your preferred air filter for the stock air box and why?
 
 K&N (I've had good luck with these over the years but pricey )

 Uni-Filter (looks like a less expensive alternative to the K&N but I don't have much experience with them)

 Stock replacement (semi affordable, but genuine Honda or aftermarket? And where do you get yours?)

Where did you find a K&N for the stock air filter box on the CB500?  I thought they had discontinued them.

I use the Uni NU-4055 filter, and have for about 15-20 years.  I like that it is reusable.  And this makes it the most economical.  The foam is kind of a statistical filter rather than the stock absolute type.  So, if you are operating in really dusty environments, the stock filter can save your rings and cylinder walls.  But, the stock filter always needed replacement on a yearly basis, due to the paper filter fibers sagging and getting ever more restrictive, as well as trapping some particles that can never be cleaned out of it.

On average, I get better gas mileage overall with the UNI filters. As they have slightly less pressure drop across the membrane and this remains so between cleanings.

In my experience, of course.

+1, i replaced my stock filter on my '72 CB500 with a UNI last summer and i have no complaints. bought mine from Rusty Riders. remeber, if you go Uni you'll have to buy the filter oil and cleaner http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Uni-HP-Air-Filter-Honda-CB500-CB550-CB-500-550-Four-F-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem53e0c80706QQitemZ360253490950QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

[Scott S]

 I have a K&N cleaner/oiler kit. Is there any reason I couldn't use the K&N oil on the Uni filter?

[Gonzowerke]

I have a K&N cleaner/oiler kit. Is there any reason I couldn't use the K&N oil on the Uni filter?

Naaah...Go ahead and use it, it will be fine.

[westondc]

I have a K&N cleaner/oiler kit. Is there any reason I couldn't use the K&N oil on the Uni filter?

Naaah...Go ahead and use it, it will be fine.

um.... i'm not sure about that. i was wondering the same thing so i posted on the forum about it a while back. i was told that K&N oil is different because the K&N filter isnt foam like the Uni filter. I also checked the K&N oil and it stated "do not use on foam filters"

[shizzomynizzo]

I have a K&N cleaner/oiler kit. Is there any reason I couldn't use the K&N oil on the Uni filter?

Naaah...Go ahead and use it, it will be fine.

um.... i'm not sure about that. i was wondering the same thing so i posted on the forum about it a while back. i was told that K&N oil is different because the K&N filter isnt foam like the Uni filter. I also checked the K&N oil and it stated "do not use on foam filters"

When I went to the motorcycle dealer the guy told me you can use basically any oil on the uni. He said everyone used 2 stroke oil back in the day.

I bought a uni last summer, used k&n oil and have not had a problem. 2k miles and 10 months so far.

[TwoTired]

I guess I don't understand the reluctance to follow manufacturer instructions.
The dealer is a salesmen. His goal is to move money from your pocket to his.  Many of them will say anything to induce that transfer and move product off their shelves.  Their liabilty for product application pretty much ends when you walk out the door.

Oil, as almost everyone knows, is a descriptor that applies to many formulations.  There are also many foam formulations, too.  Some more resistance to certain chemicals than others.  I would think the manufacturer would know what oil formulation is compatible/beneficial for their product, much better than the dealer or internet speculation, anyway.

The risk is that the substitute oil you choose for UNI foam may cause it to break down faster, or it may simply not help it maintain it's integrity like the recommended oil does.  Of course, the foam may also be indifferent to the chemical you experiment upon it.

I don't know if K&N oil is good, bad, or indifferent to the UNI foam composition.  I do know that my first UNI filter lasted 15 years using UNI's filter maintenance kit.
When I got a K&N filter for the 750's, I also bought the K&N filter maintenance kit.  So, I have both UNI and K&N product and I use the correct kit for the filter to be maintained.  Neither kit lists the exact chemical content of their kit.  Nor do the filters come with a list of chemicals with which they can co-exist.

If you use products on them outside of their recommendations, you can't expect the manufacturer to back the product, or for the product to meet manufacturer claims.

Cheers,

[westondc]

Very well put TT.

[patricke9]

Do all 500/550's F's & K's all use the same filter? 

[TwoTired]

Do all 500/550's F's & K's all use the same filter? 

Mostly.  The 500 doesn't have the engine breather element with the big stand pipe like the 550's.  The Uni NU-4055 adapts to both.  I think the stock paper types are different between 500/550 models.  I don't know about what Honda offers today for the 500.

All the 550s F or K used the same filter element in stock form.

Cheers,

[patricke9]

thanks, been doing some searching of part #'s and of course the one for my '77 k model is discontinued, been able to find a few for the '77 F model, I think you sold me on the Uni filter, 15 years is of use is worth the extra $$.

[dave500]

i pulled one apart(heat the glue with a soft flame) then put it back together with two pack locktite glue,im using three layers of "finer filter"foam soaked with motul filter oil.