Topic: Air Filter & Stack Filter Kit for 550's & 750's / The end, see post #898, pg 36

[Tintop]

Ill bet you could find 10 guys here who all wanted one.... that filter reading "sohc" would be pretty sweet.
sadly it doesnt look like your making this kit for us little guys (350/400) so im out.

I've got a stock (and will remain stock) 76 400SS sitting here socalenduro, so that is a possible future version.  That said, space is the big question.  I'll do some quick measurements to see if it is even close to fitting, and let you know.   Width might be an issue, and it would also need stacks molded for the application.  So if the basic filter in its final dimensions fits, and there is enough interest from the 350/400 crowd to justify molding the stacks.....

[Tintop]

I'd be up for one that read "sohc"... Even better one that read CB550F/SS
.: Scott :.

I appreciate the suggestion(s), but.....

These aren't 'garage built', but are being manufactured exclusively for me by one of the top performance filter companies.  So 'options' add cost, and there is a minimum order quantity to deal with.  The 1st thing is that blank, or the white ITG logo adds no additional cost, anything else does.  Secondly, when ITG imprint them it is on the surface only, and doesn't effect flow.  Realistically, if your triangle is still stock, you'll have a hard time seeing it anyway on the 550, and only just on the 750.  So Zaipai, and anyone else.  Get 10 of you together, with deposits, and I'll do a run with the SOHC 4 triangle logo, but there would be an additional cost.  And no I don't know what that would be at the moment.  Frankly I'd rather let the world know who made it, and therefore that its a high quality piece; and keep that extra cost in my pocket.  They already know its a Honda 4.

[wannabridin]

How much of a deposit are you requiring for a 750 to make sure I get one in your first run??   I can paypal you if you need!

[Terry in Australia]

They already know its a Honda 4.

That's what I think too Brian, I always laugh when I see personalised number plates that say "Honda" or "Ford", etc. I mean, why do people pay hundreds (or even thousands) of bucks to "personalise" their vehicles with the "bleeding obvious"? Cheers, Terry.  

[Zaipai]

Good point Tintop, no one would see it on mine anyway as I have the stock covers etc.. So I would not want to pay the extra expense for some thing only I would see.

To the point, its not that its obvious (btw only obvious to other Honda owners, I can't tell you how many have approached me at gas stations asking what year Harley it is) its more that any thing custom shows extra expense and some thing not off the shelf. For people like me and others that like customizing their bikes, its just one more detail to add.

.: Scott :.

[Tintop]

......(edit)...To the point, its not that its obvious (btw only obvious to other Honda owners, I can't tell you how many have approached me at gas stations asking what year Harley it is) its more that any thing custom shows extra expense and some thing not off the shelf. For people like me and others that like customizing their bikes, its just one more detail to add.
.: Scott :.

That's what I think too Brian, I always laugh when I see personalised number plates that say "Honda" or "Ford", etc. I mean, why do people pay hundreds (or even thousands) of bucks to "personalise" their vehicles with the "bleeding obvious"? Cheers, Terry.  

I understand were your coming from Zaipai, but am in Terry's camp here.  At this point my 550 is the only bike in the world with that filter, which makes it a very exclusive custom item.   For those who know, the ITG logo adds to that cachet.  I could have just stopped there, but decided this was such an improvement over pods I wanted to share it.

There is a much better place to 'individualize' the filter, the carb side of the backplate ends.  I will be placing a (removeable) label on that side, top centre.  But again, that is a position that is very hard to see once it is mounted.  So there is a 'canvas' that is highly visible for you to work with.  I've got some ideas of my own.  Here's one - a left & right vertical version of the SOHC4 logo, that is bent to follow the backplate curve around the stack.

[socalenduro]

well i for one would definitely be interested in getting this set up if you did make it for the 350/400 bikes.

as for the logo on the filter it was just an idea....
this might surprise you guys but people actually have different opinions of what looks good. in fact that MIGHT be why everyone doesn't ride the exact same motorcycle or even ride a motorcycle at all!
I think if you took a poll that few people, even in the motorcycle world, would not know that the fours are single overhead cams.
Even with my custom plate (which costs $45) and all the badges on my bike EVERY SINGLE TIME i ride my bike someone asks what kind of bike it is.
Ive even had people, while im sitting on my bike, question me as to if i was sure that it was a four cylinder and not a four stroke... to which i just pointed down to the pipes.

anyway my point is different strokes for different folks and dont take for granted what you think is obvious, most people probably miss it
and i dont really care what it says

[Syscrush]

this might surprise you guys but people actually have different opinions of what looks good. in fact that MIGHT be why everyone doesn't ride the exact same motorcycle or even ride a motorcycle at all!

Winer. 

If this setup will let me keep stock carbs and will work with my linkless monoshock conversion, I'm in.  Then I'll dye the filter element black and fit a bright red fishnet stocking over it because nothing says class like bright red fishnet stockings.  Amirite, HedNut? 

[Flying J]

Can I get one with a white checker stripe across it ? Oh and under that can you print "cafe racer" or just "duche bag".   

[Tintop]

well i for one would definitely be interested in getting this set up if you did make it for the 350/400 bikes....

I will keep that in mind, and as I said, look into what it would take to make it happen.

....If this setup will let me keep stock carbs and will work with my linkless monoshock conversion, I'm in.  Then I'll dye the filter element black and fit a bright red fishnet stocking over it because nothing says class like bright red fishnet stockings.  Amirite, HedNut? 

On either bike (550 or 750) it doesn't protrude back past the frame rail.  So that's a starting point to decide if it will fit your bike.

Thought red fishnet was more of a chopper deal.   You could also knit it a nice cover from some of HedNut's llama wool.

Can I get one with a white checker stripe across it ? Oh and under that can you print "cafe racer" or just "duche bag".   

Checkers no, and wouldn't it be more effective and visable if you just put "duche bag" on the back of your helmet.

[Flying J]

Checkers no, and wouldn't it be more effective and visable if you just put "duche bag" on the back of your helmet.

[Tintop]

Checkers no, and wouldn't it be more effective and visable if you just put "douche bag" on the back of your helmet.

When you give me an opening like that......just couldn't resist.   Just be thankful it wasn't HedNut.

[Tintop]

OK, enough of the foolishness on my part.  Back to answering some questions.

I mentioned that I would check the fit on my 400SS for socalenduro.  Good news / bad news.  The depth of the filter is OK, and molding revised stacks is not a problem (except time & money ).  Bad news is that the current filter base is much to wide for the 400, so a completely new filter would be required.  If I can find a 2nd application that could use one that small, I'll seriously consider it.  Maybe the 350/450 twins??

As for customizing / individualizing the current filter.  Given that the only thing left on my build that is ' factory stock' is the left control, I certainly understand the desire.   The foam material is multilayer, and ITG feels that any attempt to dye it will clog it.  So if you do that, your on your own.   So....I have a couple of ideas that look like they will fly, and I'm sure you will find exciting.  Finalizing details with suppliers now, and that should be far enough along to release the basic info very shortly.

[Zaipai]

I told my wife, whether we have the money or not I am buying these. She rolled her eye's and said "what ever..".. I take that as a green light when these become available.

.: Scott :.

[Tintop]

I told my wife, whether we have the money or not I am buying these. She rolled her eye's and said "what ever..".. I take that as a green light when these become available.

.: Scott :.

Thanks for the vote of confidence Scott.  Soon...

[Zaipai]

I told my wife, whether we have the money or not I am buying these. She rolled her eye's and said "what ever..".. I take that as a green light when these become available.

.: Scott :.

Thanks for the vote of confidence Scott.  Soon...

No rush, riding season is over and I have lots to do with the CB and my newer project the Suzuki GS1000g (the g stands for great pain in the ass!)..

.: Scott :.

[socalenduro]

well technically i am of little to no use to you... but if you can make it work you know you'll have one sale from me!

No rush, riding season is over and I have lots to do with the CB and my newer project the Suzuki GS1000g (the g stands for great pain in the ass!)..

ahhh so glad to live in san diego....
thought i makes it hard to ever start long projects on my bike

[wannabridin]

If the original price point estimate is close to the sale price, I can scrounge up the cash   so hopefully I still have my spot higher up on the list

[Tintop]

If the original price point estimate is close to the sale price, I can scrounge up the cash   so hopefully I still have my spot higher up on the list

I still think the kit will be very close to the original price estimate wannabridin.  And yes, you are on the 'original interest list'.

Rec'd the 1st pictures of the stack model.  Almost done, just needs final surface finishing, and cleanup.

Profile shot of the 750 stack from the side.


Rolled inlet & inner sealing ring looking down throat.


Stack from the inlet end.


The 550 stack will be the same design, but sized differently.

So I promised something that would appeal to those who what something different than 'stock'.  Coloured Velocity Stacks  I'm still working out the details, cost being one.  However, the basics are - the stock colour will be black, and there will be four (4) colours available.  Blue , Red, Yellow, & probably a Green.  These will be special order, and cost more than the black.  Probably add about $10 / stack if ordered with a kit.

I've also been speaking with Frankenstuff, and he's keen to supply transparent/tinted backplates.  He's planning on posting a mockup picture shortly.

[wannabridin]

so did i just completely miss something, because i have no clue what the stack material is made of!  the shape looks GREAT though!  the only "problem" i see with incoming airflow will the the backing plate as it will be the only real "sharp" transition in flow.  i think with good enough vacuum from the carb through, any eddy's generated along this gradient will be smoothed out by the increase in velocity. 

i don't know enough about fluid dynamics to say if this is true or not, but i have a feeling that the boundary layer effects against the velocity stack will cause an increase in velocity all along the stack and help to smooth out the flow around all the inlets.  the #2 and 3 will suffer slightly more as there's a greater amount of turbulence generated.  thankfully all this air is inside a relatively "calm" environment under the filter, so hopefully everything will work out JUST fine!  i think it will   

now TT, have you considered adding any more filtered surface area in maybe a crescent moon shape to the ends of the backing plate to give more inlet volume?  this might be counter intuitive though, being as air will be drawn in from two opposing directions, causing more turbulence...  just thinking out loud!

[Tintop]

You must have.   I've mentioned the stack is molded before.   It's being made of a neoprene, like the stock stack.  Goes on, and clamps on exactly the same.  Molding the modified version is what made it possible to offer two versions; and the option of coloured stacks.

One of the things Terry will be trying is varying the filter height / inside volume.  When he does a couple of extra backplates, my waterjet guy is also cutting spacer rings for that purpose.

Surface area isn't an issue, there is enough there to feed 300hp according to ITG.   I would expect there will be turbulence at the backplate surface.  Under the foam sealing gasket is an alloy frame to which the filter material and wire frame are bonded.  This will cause some disturbance, but insignificant compared to the increase in smooth air available to fill the throat, from the centre out.  Comparison of the photo of the stock 77/78 stack mounted, to the inlet one above, point out the big difference.  The modified one can take advantage of the filter's ability to supply air from 180 / 360 degrees.  Just what you want from 1/4 to WOT.  Internally it is a stock stack, for part throttle, slow speed tunability.

With an appropriate stack ID (CR29's, Mic VM's), and length, this filter could easily handle a 500/550 racing engine's requirements.  There will certainly be enough room in Speed Pony's frame, and it will be using re-worked 750 carbs.

[Kong]

I just wanted to say that since removing the air box during teardown I have ignored anything behind the carbs on my '77 550 build simply because I've been planning on buying whatever you come up with when you come up with it. 

By the way, personally I don't care what it says on the back of it, but I would prefer it not say "Douche Bag"  Now, if you had a silhouette  that showed a little monkey-leg (or better yet, one of those sweetheart pert little Baboons), well, that always does an old Ape's heart good.   

[Tintop]

Thanks Kong, for the vote of confidence, much appreciated.

As for monkeys legs, why not one of those chrome playgirls you see on trucks.  She could wrap around the stack.

[Kong]

Reminds me of my first mate, a tart young orangutan, and of course you know what they're like once they come down out of the trees - and that tail, my god, that tail  but I am getting off the subject.

Please put me on the list for a set from your first commercial batch too; deposit available upon request.

[Flying J]

Yeah put me on that list if im not already. I want one one still despite the fact It wont have checkers on it.