Lately my gas mileage has slumped a little and when I gas it in 5th gear, I just haven't been getting that whaaaaa from the carb and I would get what sounded like octane knock. Well, I looked at my SE A/C and it was filthy. I don't know how long it had been in there because I'm the second owner. I took it down to HD and asked if they had a cleaning kit like K&N. The parts guy said he recommended that it be replaced because cleaning it could cause damage and threaten the engine. So he sold me a new one for $30.00. Does his story sound legit?
BTW bike runs like it used to now. Dealer said filter should be changed every 10,000 miles.
Have a nice day.
__________________ Dan C.
2005 XL1200C
SE A/C
Python 3 exhaust
Sundowner seat
Love my 10 Grandkids
"Yep"...a dirty air filter can definately "choke" your carb/engine of air...causing it to run too rich.
As for the recommendation to change air filters every 10-K miles...I'd recommend checking it at least at every oil change and clean/replace it as needed...noting it may be O.K. for much longer or shorter depending on just how dirty it gets in the meantime...not necessarily by how many miles on it.
That and it seems to me you may have gotten the short end of the stick on a non-cleanable $30** air filter. (possibly stock) to replace an SE filter that IS cleanable (i.e,K&N me thinks) and less restrictive. Gotta be leary of parts people at stealerships...'cuz a lot of them just don't really know what they're doing or talking about.
__________________ "If at first you don't succeed, try again...then swear"
Mark Twain
Servicing the air filter is probably one of the most neglected regular maintenance items on the list, for some reason--- right up there with checking tire air pressure, changing the fork oil, and flushing the brake lines.
I use the K&N filter, clean and 'recharge' it every 5,000 miles or less. Why is it the simplest things are often the most overlooked?
Harley web site Kit features a one-piece cast back plate with integral breather and mounting brackets for simplified installation, and a "state of the art" synthetic media washable air cleaner element that does not require oiling..
If they tell you to never wash your bike it is bad for it, you need to trade it in on a new one, don’t believe them.
Quote:
Originally Posted by grampadac
The parts guy said he recommended that it be replaced because cleaning it could cause damage and threaten the engine.
Have a nice day.
Just noticed that Dan (see his sig) has an '05 Sportster...and we don't know how old his SE air cleaner and/or filter are. Older SE-KN filters (definitely cleanable) like mine call for re-oiling after cleaning unlike the "new & improved" type refered to here...and we should keep it in mind that he may not have (or have had) the newer type...just say'n...knowhutImean !?!
__________________ "If at first you don't succeed, try again...then swear"
Mark Twain
Clean A/C wow 
Linear Mode
