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Air filter repair

  • Thread starter Thread starter canuckxxx
  • Start date Start date
C

canuckxxx

Guest
After 40 years the foam air filter element on '79 GS850 is falling apart. Has anyone tried putting new foams on? It looks to me that if you could find the right kind of open cell foam you could wrap it around the metal frame.
image.jpg
 
The filter foam is still available new, just under $30. You'll need to find some foam to go around the top where it mates to the airbox though. For that, closed-cell foam weatherstrip with adhesive backing is the way to go. It's the same stuff you need to replace the rubber in the airbox end caps.
 
The price of a simple piece of foam seems awfully outrageous but after spending some time looking around the lowest priced option is to just order up a stock one, eBay is your friend.
 
Thanks for the thoughtful responses.

Cost is the reason for asking the question. I bought this GS as a basket case and my main goal right now is to get it running so I can see what I have. I know it will not run properly without an air filter.

A $30 air filter becomes $50 with shipping and exchange to Canadian dollars. So if I can make a DIY for $5 worth of foam it makes more sense to me.

Brian
 
canuckxxx said:
Thanks for the thoughtful responses.

Cost is the reason for asking the question. I bought this GS as a basket case and my main goal right now is to get it running so I can see what I have. I know it will not run properly without an air filter.

A $30 air filter becomes $50 with shipping and exchange to Canadian dollars. So if I can make a DIY for $5 worth of foam it makes more sense to me.

Brian
Click to expand...

Mine is $15 delivered which is much more manageable. My second choice is buying a generic piece of foam filter at the Ag supply store which is sold in a bulk roll, in your case that may be the more affordable option.
 
I understand your concern with the price but to be honest, you'll spend more time troubleshooting and getting frustrated over why it may not be running correctly then if you get the right part from the beginning. To have a good baseline you really need to start with the correct items first. Take your time to get the parts if you need to and you'll be enjoying springtime on the bike instead of behind the wrench.
 
This is an OE style, aftermarket, air cleaner element on EBay. Any experience with them?
image.jpg
 
canuckxxx said:
Thanks for the thoughtful responses.

Cost is the reason for asking the question. I bought this GS as a basket case and my main goal right now is to get it running so I can see what I have. I know it will not run properly without an air filter.
Click to expand...

cowboyup3371 said:
I understand your concern with the price but to be honest, you'll spend more time troubleshooting and getting frustrated over why it may not be running correctly then if you get the right part from the beginning.
Click to expand...
I am constantly amused by newer owners that say something along the line of "I got the bike almost free, I don't want to spend that much for a new part" or "that will cost more than I paid for the bike".

A better way to approach that is: you paid less for the bike, that leaves more in your budget for parts and/or tools. If your budget isn't large enough to cover what it's going to take to get the bike going safely, you might want to re-evaluate whether the bike is the right choice.

.
 
Sounds like you amuse easily. We're just on different wave lengths, different ways of going about things.
 
Thrifty, eh...Ah, many's the time I've looked at the $45 air filter and said no way!
for you, I think a Urethane based foam is what you are after...it's grey, soft, permeable just like the green foam it replaces ...and isn't destroyed by oil in my recollection but you can do the wikapedia on that as a suitable substitute. An obvious thought is the ( often green?) foam from a Briggs and Stratton- an old lawnmower...you might want two of these to fill the cross-section Yet another path might be the foam filter from a Wet'n'dry Vac. Some of these should be the correct type if you read the small print....doubled maybe. They are quite thin.. as to where or how much you pay, it's luck, some hoarding against future uses, and time on the hunt versus $.

Of course, what you don't want is "bed and cushion" foam. A lot of this seems to swell and gofunny with oil or gas fumes...

A drop of gas on any scrap of likely foam should give you the clue you need. You do not want it disintegrating into the carbs.

In the same aisle of the thrift store, you may spot a new accordion- paper air filter for some car nobody has....these can be adapted with scissors and shears. You may even put some light oil on them, but I wouldn't bother- "as is" will do for quite awhile 'til you find some foam or another thrift- paper one.
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the info Gorminrider. I'll check out urethane foam. :dancing:
 
^ Nice one!
lifetime supply for 3.99US

search per "oil bath air filter foam" brings up several ideas..from a pdf, apparently "polyurethane" is correct vis a vis
"1.1
Types of Air Filters
There are many types of air filters are in use most common types are as follows:
A.
Foam
Another automobile air filter element is Oil-wetted polyurethane foam. previously Foam was used as
air cleaners on small engines like lawnmowers. Foam filters are widely used on air compressors for air tools up
to 5Hp. Depending on the grade and thickness of foam used, this type of filter can offer minimal flow
restriction. the dust is captured on foam filters, large amounts of dust trapped without major change in airflow
restriction. Example: off-road rallying, motorsport."
 
Gorminrider said:
^ Nice one!
lifetime supply for 3.99US

search per "oil bath air filter foam" brings up several ideas..from a pdf, apparently "polyurethane" is correct vis a vis
"1.1
Types of Air Filters
There are many types of air filters are in use most common types are as follows:
A.
Foam
Another automobile air filter element is Oil-wetted polyurethane foam. previously Foam was used as
air cleaners on small engines like lawnmowers. Foam filters are widely used on air compressors for air tools up
to 5Hp. Depending on the grade and thickness of foam used, this type of filter can offer minimal flow
restriction. the dust is captured on foam filters, large amounts of dust trapped without major change in airflow
restriction. Example: off-road rallying, motorsport."
Click to expand...

That certainly IS a great price! The local Tractor Supply store wanted $20 for a piece that size.
 
Yesterday I pulled the trigger on this air cleaner element on Ebay. Was in the right price range and free shipping to my US mail box.
air filter.jpg
 
Steve said:
I am constantly amused by newer owners that say something along the line of "I got the bike almost free, I don't want to spend that much for a new part" or "that will cost more than I paid for the bike".

A better way to approach that is: you paid less for the bike, that leaves more in your budget for parts and/or tools. If your budget isn't large enough to cover what it's going to take to get the bike going safely, you might want to re-evaluate whether the bike is the right choice.

.
Click to expand...

You forgot

"The cheapest vintage bike you can buy is the most complete and expensive one"
 
Steve said:
I am constantly amused by newer owners that say something along the line of "I got the bike almost free, I don't want to spend that much for a new part" or "that will cost more than I paid for the bike".
Click to expand...

Well, you know them damn Canadians, we're a funny bunch! :highly_amused:
 
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