Air Pods and Bicycle Inner Tubes: An Experiment

[gullywhumper]

Hi folks,

This is my first post here and my shiny, new to me, 81 GS750L is my first bike. Like so many others, the airbox boots were un-salvagable. Never could get them back on. I'm going to conduct a little experiment with airpods before I do the inevitable and buy a new set of boots for $70. If the core issue with pods is too much air, why not adjust the amount of air that is allowed to be pulled through? I've heard of guys using tape, caulk, plastic inside the cone, but I don't think anyone has ever tried using a bicycle inner tube around the outside of the cone. I can hear it already: "What a jack-leg thing to do!" Yes. It is jack-leg. Yes it sounds stupid. But..... I'm betting it will work. Now, having said that I have never heard of anyone doing this, has any actually tried this? Several things:

1. I know the tubes will stretch and deteriorate from heat over time.
2. Jack-leg
3. Wouldn't it be cool if this actually worked?

Right now, I've just got shop rags tied over the air flanges. The bike runs surprisingly well. I know I can't run this any more than around the block. I'll let you guys know what happens with the inner tube idea once the pods arrive.

 

[Guest]

what will you do with all the money you save?

 

[Gorminrider]

Hi gullywhumper! I'm not sure exactly what yer up to but hey, funky ideas are worth a try if no harm is done...(some ideas might get sucked into the engine and we don't want that

And whether or not it works, we'll want pictures, so be sure to figure out how to post them. You can always just post a "test Picture posting" thread"

 

[Guest]

Not new, have seen the tubes before

 

[gullywhumper]

Not new, have seen the tubes before

And as of a couple of hours ago, I have seen it too. The results were promising. Everything on the "Gullywhumper" is stock except for the air filtration. I seriously almost sold the bike over that damned air box. I'm glad I didn't. Its a wonderful ride and I hope to enjoy it for years to come. Its a cool old bike. Three years older than I am!!!!!:welcoming:

P.S. Anyone know where I can get some cool "Gullywhumper" decals made for my tank? I always loved Fes Parker.

 

[gullywhumper]

what will you do with all the money you save?

Hardee's sells a mean Mushroom Swiss Burger!

 

[JTGS850GL]

So basically you're increased airflow by using pod filters and then restricted them to use stock jetting? Why? No performance benefit and pretty sure it will look butt ugly.

 

[gullywhumper]

So basically you're increased airflow by using pod filters and then restricted them to use stock jetting? Why? No performance benefit and pretty sure it will look butt ugly.

Don't care. As long as it is mechanically sound. I want stock performance without the damn air box. Bottom line. There is a reason I call this bike the "Gullywhumper".

 

[JTGS850GL]

Poor bike....

 

[hannibal]

Hardee's sells a mean Mushroom Swiss Burger!

As a huge fan of mushroom swiss burgers, I support this 100%.

 

[roeme]

Hardee's sells a mean Mushroom Swiss Burger!

As a huge fan of mushroom swiss burgers, I support this 100%.

As a Swiss, I gotta ask what the hell that is...?

 

[hannibal]

Sauteed mushrooms and Swiss cheese on a hamburger. Going camping tomorrow and these are on the menu!

 

[limeex2]

Poor bike....

"One mans trash is another mans treasure" He's creative, it works, he's riding and happy. All good.

 

[BigD_83]

"One mans trash is another mans treasure" He's creative, it works, he's riding and happy. All good.

but keeping it to himself. Let's see some pictures of your solution, Gullywhumper

 

[JJ]

Personally, I'd take the time to jet and tune the carbs correctly, as opposed to rigging up something with tape or inner tubes. Sheesh!

 

[Carter Turk]

Bicycle inner tubes come in handy when the intake boot clamps have stretched and are touching.
Cut a little chunk, wrap over boot, keep riding while waiting for backordered intake boot clamps.

 

[BigD_83]

Bicycle inner tubes come in handy when the intake boot clamps have stretched and are touching.
Cut a little chunk, wrap over boot, keep riding while waiting for backordered intake boot clamps.

That's an interesting fix. Do you clamp over the inner tube or just leave it?

 

[Guest]

Well lets see the fix then.

 

[Guest]

I'm going to conduct a little experiment with airpods before I do the inevitable and buy a new set of boots for $70. If the core issue with pods is too much air, why not adjust the amount of air that is allowed to be pulled through?

1) If you bought a set of pods and they were cheaper than the $70 new boots cost they are crap.
2) What's wrong with just doing it properly and jetting it to run with pods?

It's your bike and your time, but I'm never a fan of a half-assed solution. I predict you will end up spending twice as much $$$ and a bunch of time only to have something that doesn't work as well as either the full airbox or properly tuned pods. If this is your first bike as you say, you might want to consider that you are better off learning to ride than screwing around in your garage. I guess it depends on your priorities, though.

Personally, I'd take the time to jet and tune the carbs correctly, as opposed to rigging up something with tape or inner tubes. Sheesh!

+1.


Mark

 

[Big T]

To further what mmattox said, you don't want to buy those $29 pods on Ebay, you'll spend more than $70 for Ape or K&N pods

Besides, your time must be worth nothing. The amount of time you'll spend making your idea work is time not spent riding