The other day I was cruising the discount bin at the auto parts store and found a shielded valve cover breather with a filter element. It looks similar an oversized aftermarket air filter, but with a push in rubber base on it. It was only $5 with no package, so I bought it to convert it to a big chrome air filter for my CatEye.
THE PROCESS;
I cut the whole rubber cover off the bottom, along with rubber push in base. This exposed a 1 1/4" hole punched in the (non-removable) sheet metal end cap. What I needed was a .6" opening for the carb intake, and two 13/64" holes for mounting screws.
I made the adapter plate with the correct mounting pattern out of a piece of scrap 18ga and drilled out my holes using the back of the old filter box as a template for their placement. While dry fitting it, I decided to make the intake/screw holes closer to the top of the filter, so the whole thing would sit around 1/2" lower than the battery box.
Then, I cut the sheet metal piece into a circle approx. 1/4" larger than the hole I needed to cover. I welded it into place with my little coil fed welder and ground off the excess weld. To make sure it's airtight and for a little extra support, I covered the back of the filter in a coat of JB Weld (except directly around holes). The liquid weld had to cure overnight, then I block sanded it to be flat and smooth, for a flush mount against the carb.
Next, I put a piece of masking tape on the front (chrome side). I measured out for two 1/2" holes to access the mounting bolts through. I used the stock (#10-32x2") screws to mount the filter to the carburetor, and then both to the manifold in the way the stock airbox did. I capped the 1/2" holes in the front off with snap in hole plugs and it's done!
BEFORE MOUNTING: I made sure the metal shavings and remnants from the drilling left inside the filter were all cleaned out. Anything left in there is going to end up in your carb or further into your engine!
I tapped them out through the holes, and then hit it real good with compressed air and tapped it out again and repeated a few times.
To finish it off, I tuned the carb to adapt it to the increased airflow (1/4 turn richer on the mix screw) and it sounds great running on the stand. Will have to get it out for the real world test, and I'll let you guys know how it goes.
I would like to say that my "HP" filter is going to make a dramatic power difference, but HONESTLY I'm doubting it will do that much. I already had drilled additional intake holes in the stock airbox, and I still run the stock carb (limited on the air it will take). So it might take in a little more air, but I'll be the FIRST to admit it... It's a "Bling Bling bolt on" but instead of $20-$40, this one only cost me $5.60 ($5 filter and .60 for the 2 snap in hole plugs).
Side Note; A couple of chrome accessories, a little paint and maybe diamond plate end caps for the battery box and this bike will be ready to PARTY NAKED!
That looks great Atomic! And cheapo too (on the pocket.... that is)!! You are definate do it your selfer. And what a great write up, very descriptive. I am sure you will have a few followers on this one.
I installed a performance filter on Josh's bike just the other day. It made a notable difference although small, still notable.
Workin on getting a pipe now and then it's zoom time. Well, ok, I have to pull the head and do some porting and exhaust timing adjustments and tune the CVT and finish painting the body parts and frame....... but after that it's zoom time!!
That looks great Atomic! And cheapo too (on the pocket.... that is)!! You are definate do it your selfer. And what a great write up, very descriptive. I am sure you will have a few followers on this one.
I installed a performance filter on Josh's bike just the other day. It made a notable difference although small, still notable.
Workin on getting a pipe now and then it's zoom time. Well, ok, I have to pull the head and do some porting and exhaust timing adjustments and tune the CVT and finish painting the body parts and frame....... but after that it's zoom time!!
Thanks Man, I'm the AtomicCheapie! Everyones got a thing, and making the most out of what I have or can get cheaply... Kind of an extra sence of accomplishment!
A pipe is probably one of the most sizable improvements from a simple bolt on projects. A good pipe will add a few mphs right on the top end where you (I mean Josh ) are looking for.
May also want to look into some clutch improvements. I haven't done extensive research, but my understanding is it lets you pop off the line at a higher RPM (AKA more acceleration). Sounds like an improvement that a drag bike would really benefit from!
Also... Take LOTS of pictures of the project bike and Josh working on it! I see pics of me (at about 15 years old) and my step dad working on dirt bikes and it brings back a flood of memories! Have Fun...
You bet man! I will have pics soon. I got some of Josh and tofast4utk this week end at the school and I will have them up tonight. I put in 2 hours of touch-n-goes today at the local airport and I am still stoked so I will be on here a while tonight. LOL! I am still alive so I guess flight school wasn't a bad idea!
I still haven't figured out all I need to for the "project" yet so I am working on porting josh's motor and getting him the exhaust pipe. I am going to drill holes in the clutch shoes and do the verieter weight thing but I think the porting and the exhaust will be the best mods. I will have pics of that too. I was going to start on it last nite but fell out at 2:45 am after a very long discussion with Uh-Oh. But man, I learned so much!!!
Question: where can I get plugs for the holes in the side of the frame for the swing arm mounts? I am going to paint the frame and get rid of those plastic chrome peices that cover all that up.
yo, umm.. lol your really giving me ideas lmao. that air filter looks sick. i really want like a nice HP carb.. i think that will help some... especially with HP jettings. i really need low end accel atomic, i really freaking do lol.. i got so much speed and im... well.. sick of it lol. Atomic, take a picture of your whole entire bike alrighty?
yo, umm.. lol your really giving me ideas lmao. that air filter looks sick. i really want like a nice HP carb.. i think that will help some... especially with HP jettings. i really need low end accel atomic, i really freaking do lol.. i got so much speed and im... well.. sick of it lol.
Atomic, take a picture of your whole entire bike alrighty?
If you have a lot of top end to spare, switch to a larger sprocket on the rear wheel. It will steal some top end and give to your low end accelleration!
Here's the most recent pic of my bike. It's in the midst of a little engine dress up, I will post more when I get it all cleaned up and put back together.
After the addition of my cheapie chrome air cleaner, I wanted to hook up my engine compartment a little. While I have done a little tinkerin' under the body, I've focused most of my attention into just tuning it and customizing the rest of the bike to fit my style. Refining the engine's appearance may not add any MPHs, but it helps it look like a performance engine!
Here's the list of what I did:
-Reroute/clean up the HUGE clump of wires and fasten them down neatly to the frame.
-Spray paint the vent on the left side of the plastic heat shroud metallic silver to look metal.
-Straightened and painted end caps of the battery box satin black.
-Cut fuel lines to be equal and covered both of them in a fake steel braided hose cover.
-Chrome vinyl to "chrome plate" the in-line fuse holder.
-New NOS decal on battery box (white/chrome vinyls), and Atomic logo on the starter (red/black).
-Uncovered 8" of the beefy red starter wire (for color).
-Cut the front brake cable housing, to contour closer to the fork leg.
-Painted the horn (outside bell) and the mount satin black and mounted it higher.
Supplies Used: 12-18 ZipTies, 2' Fake Braided Hose Cover (only thing I bought for the project), Small Amounts of Black and Silver Fusion Paints, 1/8 roll Electrical Tape, 1/4 roll Blue Masking Tape, Scrap Vinyl (for decals)
Total Cost: Approx. $10
Looking great Atomic!!! What an improvement you have made since stock. A very clean job and almost a shame to have to cover it all up with body parts! There are going to be allot of people on their knees looking at all you have done!! LOL!! You might want to make a small photo album to keep on hand. I did this when I competed in audio competitions (IASCA & USACi) to show the judges the things they couldn't see. It made a real good impression on them and assisted in verifying the truth. Just a thought.
Thanks! and I'm with you.
I've taken pics of it since the day I opened the box it came in. I have probably a couple hundred pics of my bike in various stages.
You can't ever roll back the clock to get "before" pics, so do it all along the way...
) are looking for.
