air filter question

[Surfpilot]

I recently started getting really poor fuel mileage (as low as 24mpg). It's definitely running rich (I can smell it at idle) and the plugs are carbon fouled. My first thought went to the air filter, which I just pulled out of the air box today. I come to find that the PO had cut a peice of what looks like matress foam and used that!!! I guess it works...the foam was definitley dirty. I'll replace it with a real element though. Any recommendation as to where to get a new element?

Also, any ideas on why the poor mileage? I'm hoping it's just the air filter, but could be something else. I just did a valve adjustment and carb clean 2 months ago...carbs are clean, but I think they need to be re-jetted--it's bogging around half throttle.

Thanks guys!

 

[KitKat]

www.partshark.com

 

[Turtleface]

You'd be surprise how much difference a clean air filter can make. I'd just try that for a first go, it very well may just clear up all your problems. How did you clean your carbs?

 

[Surfpilot]

You'd be surprise how much difference a clean air filter can make. I'd just try that for a first go, it very well may just clear up all your problems. How did you clean your carbs?

I dipped them, sprayed them and blew with compressed air

 

[Redman]

For air filter I will recomend a stock Suzuki air filter (from any OEM parts supplier). It comes on a new rack - cage- frame -whatever is should be called.

Reason I recommend a stock filter is that the rack has a foam seal that needs to seal against the air box. And aftermarket filter (K&N ectera) will just be the filter material to put on your existing rack - with the old, possibley nonexistant seal.

.

 

[gearhead13]

Reason I recommend a stock filter is that the rack has a foam seal that needs to seal against the air box. And aftermarket filter (K&N ectera) will just be the filter material to put on your existing rack - with the old, possibley nonexistant seal.

.

Never heard of that before. I have 2 K&N filters here complete with cage and sealing foam.

 

[Nessism]

Never heard of that before. I have 2 K&N filters here complete with cage and sealing foam.

You don't have an 850.

 

[Redman]

Part number 2 is the stock filter frame and filter media all in one number.
For my GS1100GK (similar to above) I got a replacemnt K&N filter (for about same cost as stock filter) and it was just the rubber and paper part (and tube of red oil), and it gave me bad flat spot at about 4K rpm.

.

 

[gearhead13]

Wow, thats sucks. Learn something evey day.
I remember the filters on my Yamaha 400, I bought some UNI foam filter media, cut it to size then siliconed it to the old basket. I was able to go up 2 main jet sizes after the refit. IIRC, the new stock filters for it were pricey

 

[Surfpilot]

For air filter I will recomend a stock Suzuki air filter (from any OEM parts supplier). It comes on a new rack - cage- frame -whatever is should be called.

Reason I recommend a stock filter is that the rack has a foam seal that needs to seal against the air box. And aftermarket filter (K&N ectera) will just be the filter material to put on your existing rack - with the old, possibley nonexistant seal.

.

My original rack has a pretty decent seal on it. I would like to avoid ordering the stock rack and filter combo because of price (~$56 vs. ~18 for the UNI)...

Has anyone had any luck with the UNI filter? I want to do what's best, so if I have to I'll fork out the $$, but would like to keep cost down.

 

[gearhead13]

From what I know, filter foam material needs to be actual filter foam, other types of foam might not filter too well or not flow air through it properly. The UNI foam I bought was just a big chunk of foam that you cut to the size you need. Depending on how much you use, it might be good for several renewals of your filter(s)

 

[Surfpilot]

From what I know, filter foam material needs to be actual filter foam, other types of foam might not filter too well or not flow air through it properly. The UNI foam I bought was just a big chunk of foam that you cut to the size you need. Depending on how much you use, it might be good for several renewals of your filter(s)

I just ordered the UNI filter from bikebandit.com. We'll see how it works...thanks!