How to: Make an iPod Nano custom air cleaner

So guys if your cheap like me and don't feel like buying a new air filter you can just make your own. Now i know that someone already made an Altoids one I just figured I would add to the variety!

DISCLAIMER: I do/will NOT take any responsibility for any damage done to your pocketbike or yourself. You are performing this at YOUR OWN RISK.

STEP #1: Search for Ipod container or something similar.

STEP #2: Remove Carburetor slowly and try not to damage the gasket like i did....

STEP #3: Get out the 'ole sharpie and trace the shape of the carbeurateur mouth (the entire piece not just the intake hole). If you mess up your trace just get some AXE or cologne and spray it on it. Just wipe it away.

STEP #4: If you have a dremel cut out the trace a little bit smaller. If you dont have a dremel I just got a candle and heated up a pointy knife.

STEP #5: Once you are done cutting out the trace get some sandpaper and sand the rough edges so it will seat nice and tight.

STEP #6: Drill holes above your cutout to let air in. Don't be afraid to drill a few..... just try and make them not too big.

STEP #7: Sand down the drilled holes to make them smooth

STEP #8: Find some sort of rubber or foamy tape to act like a gasket. I just used a one sticky sided tape that was foamy on one side but had adhesive on the other it stuck to the plastic around the cutout.

STEP #9: Get some window screen and put it over the side where you drilled the holes and cutout. I used rubber cement to hold the screen to the plastic.

STEP #10: Find some pantyhose, Sponge, Pillow case cloth, anything that would act to keep the dirt out.

STEP #11: Once you've got your material put about half a teaspoon of oil all over it and just make the cloth or sponge almost damp. WARNING: do not make it soaking wet JUST about damp. This will catch any dirt.

STEP #12: Drill holes about the same size as the screws that are used to hold the regular filter in place according to you carburetors screw locations.

STEP #13: Place the cloth, Sponge or what ever you used inside the case packed tightly or mainly around the intake.

Step #14: Attach the assembly to the bike and remove the rear wheel if necessary. Check for any leaks around the gasket.

STEP #15: Tape other end of the case closed because most ipod cases wont stay shut after first opened.

STEP #16: Enjoy!

I will post some pics tomorrow for sure! I tried to get some on here tonight but didn't have the time. I was really stupid and didn't take pics of the whole process but i will try my best to get some good pics!

Too cool!!!! I gotta have one .....

Now, in all fairness, I'm going to point out that you can pretty much do this mod with just about ANYTHING that will cover the mouth of the carburetor: Altoids boxes, iPod cases, electrical socket boxes ... anything that will cover the carb mouth. (One of my bikes has an air cleaner made from a piston head and the front pinion from an X bike, drilled to match the carb screws.) For the filtering part, you can use sponges, pantyhose, cheesecloth, even a piece of a handkerchief. Window screen is a good idea, and for a seal, I like using one of the red toilet tank gaskets, glued to the can or whatever I happen to be using. The important part is making sure the mouth of the carb is sealed good, and that you have at least some kind of material over the mouth. I went for the Altoids can because I didn't think the cheesy little plastic air cleaner looked good on the bike, plus it seemed awfully fragile. Plus, being on a ratbike, the look fits with the general "home-brewed" theme of the bike.

Here's the pic you referred to, the famous Altoids can air cleaner. This is my favorite shot, as it shows off most of the main features of the bike, such as the Altoids air cleaner, spraycan muffler, Mongoose footpegs, custom seat, and the dremel wrench killswitch cover:

Awsome!! you have the same bike as mine! what kind is it?

1st generation HF (half-fairing .... well, NO fairing!) Cagllari/Daytona, 47cc. I have two of this style, plus a couple of FF Cags and a 2nd-gen HF Cag. This bike is "The Rat," my first bike, and the one I'm most known for building.

If you cut-and-paste the link in my signature, it'll take you right to my thread, where I have lots more pictures of all my bikes and the mods done to them (2nd page for the pics). After you read up on some of the things I've done to them, you'll probably want to try a few yourself. Be sure to check out the custom piston-and-X-bike-gear air cleaner I made for my third bike, The Zombie.

wow spyguy! why just the other day, i was forced to make myself a filter too! check it out! it even had a predrilled hole for intake!

*laffs* Good one!

i tried the pop can air filter i put some foam for the filter and dryer sheets at both ends. I'm not to sure how to hold it on to the carb. Any ideas ?

slips. that airpilter did no such filtering, and it was only held on by various pinches and bends in the end of the metal haha
get creative! i think a beer can filter would be ideal for a DIY

yeah i did the can thing its pretty much like the altoids box ... but i put some foam in and some dryer sheets and drilled some extra holes ... its pretty much the same as altoid air cleaner

anyone know how to hold the altoids air cleaner onto the bike ? and do yo u have to cut out a circle in the back ?

dear saabfrk. i usd your instructions to make a youtube video on how to do the same thing. i put a link to thi page and your name in the credits. the video can be found here.YouTube - how to make a ipod air filter for a pocket bike
If you want i will remove this video. just tell me.

On the Altoids air cleaner, you need to cut out a hole the size of the mouth of the carb, BUT (important!) you need to leave a couple of tabs inside the hole for where the screws will attach the air cleaner to the carb. Your hole turns out looking more like an hourglass than a round circle. You have to do this pretty much on any air cleaner build, unless you just drill a bunch of small holes close together. I just cut a large hole in mine.