air filter question

[catfan]

I have a Harley stage one kit on my 2011 tri glide question is how many times can you wash it before it has to be replaced
Thanks

​

 

[Peter A.]

DO NOT WASH.........RIDE it.......

 

[Sloufoot]

I have a Harley stage one kit on my 2011 tri glide question is how many times can you wash it before it has to be replaced
Thanks

​

If you follow the correct procedure for cleaning the filter it should last for years. Don't brush it out, just use the cleaner & water to get the dirty areas clean & re-oil with the proper oil. I also use a rain cover on mine & it saves a lot of dirt from getting to the filter.
Gentle care goes a long way !

 

[Gorilla]

Read the instructions that came with your filter. Some do NOT get oiled just cleaned.

 

[msocko3]

Read the instructions that came with your filter. Some do NOT get oiled just cleaned.

ThumbUp The ones which are not oiled need to be inspected closley for holes in the media. The dry media washable filters develop holes after some soakings from washing or riding in the rain. The best filter is the K&N or K&N type which are oiled.

 

[cavie]

K & N in my Dodge truck is 15 years old with 117,000 miles on it.

 

[rhino 2]

I have a Harley stage one kit on my 2011 tri glide question is how many times can you wash it before it has to be replaced
Thanks

​

I have an 11 T/G with the stage one also... About 27 thousand miles on the filter,
Never washed it.. Or oiled it ,I don't think you should.. I just blow it out with my air compressor...

 

[tbear]

I have an 11 T/G with the stage one also... About 27 thousand miles on the filter,
Never washed it.. Or oiled it ,I don't think you should.. I just blow it out with my air compressor...

HAVE USED K&N FILTERS FOR 20+YEARS. BLOW THEM OUT AND REOIL WHEN THEY GET PINK IN COLOR. LIGHT OILING IS ALL YOU NEED.:Coffee:

 

[rhino 2]

HAVE USED K&N FILTERS FOR 20+YEARS. BLOW THEM OUT AND REOIL WHEN THEY GET PINK IN COLOR. LIGHT OILING IS ALL YOU NEED.:Coffee:

The O-P didn't say he had an K&N.... So I'm assuming he has a Harley stage 1 filter... :Shrug:

 

[Sloufoot]

I have an 11 T/G with the stage one also... About 27 thousand miles on the filter,

Never washed it.. Or oiled it ,I don't think you should.. I just blow it out with my air compressor...

HAVE USED K&N FILTERS FOR 20+YEARS. BLOW THEM OUT AND REOIL WHEN THEY GET PINK IN COLOR. LIGHT OILING IS ALL YOU NEED.:Coffee:

Those of you using air to blow the filter clean will destroy the filter ! Never but never blow an air filter out to clean them. The manufacture tells you that for a reason !

As you blow the filter you create larger passages for dust to enter through the media. You might not see it looking at it with the naked eye, but it is happening.

The oiled type filter uses the oil to catch the dust in the media & hold on to it.

I use a soft paint brush to lightly brush out bugs that won't wash out. But I mean lightly !!

Even Caterpillar Co. has a filter wash service on equipment they have to warranty. Dry filter media, by the way. The filters are then checked for quality after & if you blow them out with air while you have them in your service most of the time they don't pass final inspection.

I know from personal experience, not just a rumor !

But it's your equipment,,,,, treat it like you want........

 

[rhino 2]

Those of you using air to blow the filter clean will destroy the filter ! Never but never blow an air filter out to clean them. The manufacture tells you that for a reason !

Wow, Someone should tell Harley and Victory about that.... :Shrug:

 

[geezerglide11441]

ThumbUp The ones which are not oiled need to be inspected closley for holes in the media. The dry media washable filters develop holes after some soakings from washing or riding in the rain. The best filter is the K&N or K&N type which are oiled.

ThumbUp:Agree: 100 percent!!

Roger

 

[Sloufoot]

Those of you using air to blow the filter clean will destroy the filter ! Never but never blow an air filter out to clean them. The manufacture tells you that for a reason !

Wow, Someone should tell Harley and Victory about that.... :Shrug:

I have run across many " certified mechanics" or "Techs" that I wouldn't let tune my lawn mower.
If I caught them doing that I would have a new filter at their expense. One reason I do my own services !
The only thing I found on the K&N site was this :
"19. Can I use compressed air to dry the filter faster?

No, this can blow the filter material right out of the wire mesh and ruin the filter. Pick a nice day to clean the filter and let it dry naturally. A low pressure air flow such as from an industrial drying machine or blow dryer will help the filter dry more quickly."
This deals with just drying the media after washing out. Cleaning out dirt & debris would take more direct & more pressure.
BUT.... I sent an email to their tech dept. I'll let you know what their answer is when they answer.

 

[screwball]

WOW, wash it, don't wash it. suck it (Vacuum) or blow it, or don't blow it. Don't do anything, or clean it every other day. Cover it so it won't get dirty. Some real concise advise here. I read one 'expert' advice "READ THE DIRECTIONS"

 

[rhino 2]

Not to change the subject,
But if you do oil your air-filter [Not recommended on Harley/Victory] Can you use Synthetic or' stick to Dino, And will 20/50 work...??

 

[Sloufoot]

Not to change the subject,
But if you do oil your air-filter [Not recommended on Harley/Victory] Can you use Synthetic or' stick to Dino, And will 20/50 work...??

K&N says no. To only use their air filter oil. But then again they sell the stuff. Myself, I use their oil & cleaner. It isn't all that expensive. NAPA, & most of the discount parts stores carry it.
Why isn't it recommended on Harley or Victory ? Harley sells air filter oil. You don't oil things down to saturation, just enough to color the media is enough. You aren't going to see any restriction that the electronics will see, nor enough oil in the air to effect the systems. Just look at the oil Harley puts back into the intake. That isn't good, but they do it.
Bottom line is the oil film gives the filter media a way to stop & hold the containment. It has no way to do that without the oil film. It might stop the rocks, but how about the fine stuff?
Why would anyone spend the money for a superior air filter then only let the filter work at about 50% or less to keep out dirt? I'm missing something there.......
But Steve is right, just follow the instructions.....
I know ,, rant rant rant..... LOL !

 

[Sloufoot]

By the way just a thought , AFE puts out an air filter that doesn't use oil. I don't know if they are the gauze type still or not.
I do know a few years back they were sued for putting out a filter that let enough contaminants in to destroy engines.
It didn't perform as advertised.....

 

[Trent]

I agree with Sloufoot and Screwball. I have used K & N filters for years in all my trucks, gas and diesel, and my TG. I have a very exposed filter on the TG now. The red material turns gray or black when it gets too dirty. Pull it out, spray the cleaner on it, let it soak, gently wash it out, let it dry for a coupla hours, spray on a new thin coat of oil, wipe off the excess, put it back in. Just like the instruction tell you. What is so hard about that? Do not blow it out with compressed air, that will ruin it. Keep the rain cover handy to slip on in 5 seconds if it looks like you might get wet. Just follow all the instructions and it will work fine and last a long time.

 

[rhino 2]

Why isn't it recommended on Harley or Victory ?

The stock filters [factory] air filters on my Harley and Victory are dry/oil less filters, As were all the bikes I had over the last 45+ years.. I guess if for some reason you must have a filter that has to be oiled' they'll be glad to sell you one' and all the filter oil you want, For a few dollars extra...

 

[Christo]

If it is the type that gets oiled like the K&N or an S&S K&N sells a kit with cleaner and air filter oil in it. Just follow the instructions and do not put too much oil on it.

 

[Texan]

WOW, wash it, don't wash it. suck it (Vacuum) or blow it, or don't blow it. Don't do anything, or clean it every other day. Cover it so it won't get dirty. Some real concise advise here. I read one 'expert' advice "READ THE DIRECTIONS"

I spray Dawn dish soap on the filter and let it set for a few minutes. Then I use a water hose and spraying from the inside of the filter out, clean the filter......then take a shop vac (on blow) and blow the water off...again from the inside out. You really don't have to dry it if you're going to ride just put it on the bike and ride. Moisture creates horsepower....

8~\o

 

[DK Custom Products]

There are primarily 3 different types of air filters used on HD's

Paper- these don't flow well, and really can get messy with oil from the breathers or if moisture gets on them from rain or washing the bike. They are not a free flowing filter.

Gauze- K&N is the most popular by far of the gauze type filters. These filter have a 1 Million mile warranty, they do need to be cleaned and oiled periodically. Typically every 10,000 to 20,000 miles. It is important to read and follow the directions with these. These are free flowing High Performance filter elements with a long & successful history of millions of Customers over decades of time.

Synthetic- This is a relatively new style filter element. It looks similar to the K&N with the wire mesh and what can look like gauze material. However, it is different. It does not need to be oiled. It does need to be cleaned. Again, important to read and follow the directions with these. They are a free flowing (they are a small amount more restrictive than the K&N type oiled gauze) High Performance Filter element.

We carry one Synthetic filter element currently, it is made to fit the 587, you can see it HERE if you want to read up a bit more on this newer type element.

Kevin

 

[Sloufoot]

Here is the response from K&N on the compressed air.:

[FONT=&quot]Hello,[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Thank you for your interest in K&N products. Compressed air cannot be used on K&N air filters. K&N air filters are made of cotton media and this can blow the filter material right out of the wire mesh and ruin the filter. [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]If you have any further questions, please reply to this email or call our Customer Support Team at 1(800)858-3333. Thank you for writing. Have a great day.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Thank you,[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]K&N Product Specialist [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]www.knfilters.com


By the way the company that was sued was AEM. Not AFE. My mistake.

Just information passed on.
Ride Safe !
[/FONT]