Cleaning air filters?

[fleetmechanic]

For those of us still running stock air cleaners on '08-later touring models the question is whether the air filters can be cleaned with anything more than a blowgun to the outside, without damaging the "media"?  This is the only form of the media that we deal with.

[slypig]

I use dish soap and water.  Let it soak for a while.  Dishwasher works well.

Sly

[Hossamania]

Would using the K&N cleaner and a gentle hose from the inside out damage the stock filter?

[motorhogman]

Would using the K&N cleaner and a gentle hose from the inside out damage the stock filter?

How about just buying a K&N air filter...Life time filter.. over 90,000 on mine, clean and oil it about every 10,000 mi..Has the factory gone to washable, oilable filters ?   Other than the breather oil that oils them....lol 

[carolinayarddog]

[/q

Would using the K&N cleaner and a gentle hose from the inside out damage the stock filter?

I've been using this method for years with never a problem


uote]

[carolinayarddog]

Sorry. Insert quote challenged.  Trying to say Hoss' suggestion works well

[rich1]

I would not use an air hose to blow it out as you might damage it. Tap it gently to remove loose dirt from the outside and then rinse it from the inside to outside.  Let it dry. I clean them once this way and the second time around I would just buy a new filter. They are not that expensive.  As far as the K&N they do a piss poor job of filtering out dirt. Before someone bashes me about this statement do your own research. I would not run one if they were free.

[motorhogman]

I would not use an air hose to blow it out as you might damage it. Tap it gently to remove loose dirt from the outside and then rinse it from the inside to outside.  Let it dry. I clean them once this way and the second time around I would just buy a new filter. They are not that expensive.  As far as the K&N they do a piss poor job of filtering out dirt. Before someone bashes me about this statement do your own research. I would not run one if they were free.

Where would one find this data on K&N doing a poor job ?  Is there a comparison somewhere ?

[Pete_Vit]

I see tons of results from my search on K & N Air filters where the application was dirt track racing most agree they don't do the job.
I found this 'somewhat' related YouTube video pretty interesting, comparing oil filters

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRRgw4B7R-I

 

[rich1]

I would not use an air hose to blow it out as you might damage it. Tap it gently to remove loose dirt from the outside and then rinse it from the inside to outside.  Let it dry. I clean them once this way and the second time around I would just buy a new filter. They are not that expensive.  As far as the K&N they do a piss poor job of filtering out dirt. Before someone bashes me about this statement do your own research. I would not run one if they were free.

Where would one find this data on K&N doing a poor job ?  Is there a comparison somewhere ?

Sure. Here is a link to a test that is often referred to because it was done in laboratory conditions on very sophisticated equipment.  But it is far from the only one. Notice that the K&N let 30% more dirt through than the better filters.

http://www.gmtruckcentral.com/articles/air-filter-study.html

[motorhogman]

I would not use an air hose to blow it out as you might damage it. Tap it gently to remove loose dirt from the outside and then rinse it from the inside to outside.  Let it dry. I clean them once this way and the second time around I would just buy a new filter. They are not that expensive.  As far as the K&N they do a piss poor job of filtering out dirt. Before someone bashes me about this statement do your own research. I would not run one if they were free.

Where would one find this data on K&N doing a poor job ?  Is there a comparison somewhere ?

Sure. Here is a link to a test that is often referred to because it was done in laboratory conditions on very sophisticated equipment.  But it is far from the only one. Notice that the K&N let 30% more dirt through than the better filters.

http://www.gmtruckcentral.com/articles/air-filter-study.html

Thank You for posting that Rich,  it is interesting..I find it a bit strange that an oiled filter lets in more dirt than a dry ... I have over 90,000 mi on my bike and it's had K&N air and oil since it's first oil change. Doesn't use enough oil to even worry about checking it unless hammering out a 500 mi a day trip, then she might use about 4 to 6 oz after about 1500 mi of highway running.. Fuel mileage is as good as the it was after break in..42 up to 50 mph depending on speed and terrain..  Thanx again for the post.

[motorhogman]

Another interesting filter test, 
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/airfilter/airtest3.htm

And another test:
http://www.nicoclub.com/archives/kn-vs-oem-filter.html

[dynaglide]

what alternatives are there to a K&N air filter for aftermarket air cleaners?  Anybody besides K&N make a filter that fits, for example, an Evo air cleaner from Zippers?

[rich1]

what alternatives are there to a K&N air filter for aftermarket air cleaners?  Anybody besides K&N make a filter that fits, for example, an Evo air cleaner from Zippers?

Harley SE filters are synthetic media and might fit some after market air cleaners. At one time the SE filters were junk but not any more. They are a well made filter.

[Pete_Vit]

hum, I bought an SE air filter for my 96 Springer back in 2004-2005, the element looked exactly like the K & N I have for my car. 

[motorhogman]

I see tons of results from my search on K & N Air filters where the application was dirt track racing most agree they don't do the job.
I found this 'somewhat' related YouTube video pretty interesting, comparing oil filters

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRRgw4B7R-I

LOL  I don't think that guy likes Fram filters much.. I've never used them in anything..

[crazy joe]

Someone posted awhile back a better air filter that has
has a metal mesh media. I have been looking but cant find
the site. Maybe someone remembers?

[Pete_Vit]

I see tons of results from my search on K & N Air filters where the application was dirt track racing most agree they don't do the job.
I found this 'somewhat' related YouTube video pretty interesting, comparing oil filters

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRRgw4B7R-I

LOL  I don't think that guy likes Fram filters much.. I've never used them in anything..

   it was a long, long time ago I was told by someone not to use Fram oil flters due to the material break down, I see the quality has not changed, but yea.... that guy seems to have an issue with Fram filters 

[rich1]

Someone posted awhile back a better air filter that has
has a metal mesh media. I have been looking but cant find
the site. Maybe someone remembers?

Probably  Exotx.    http://www.exotx.com/filters.htm

[crazy joe]

I think that's it    are they any good?

[Ancient]

I would not use an air hose to blow it out as you might damage it. Tap it gently to remove loose dirt from the outside and then rinse it from the inside to outside.  Let it dry. I clean them once this way and the second time around I would just buy a new filter. They are not that expensive.  As far as the K&N they do a piss poor job of filtering out dirt. Before someone bashes me about this statement do your own research. I would not run one if they were free.

Agree completely. I don't have any use for the oily rag air filters.

[rich1]

hum, I bought an SE air filter for my 96 Springer back in 2004-2005, the element looked exactly like the K & N I have for my car. 

Harley will sell you a K&N filter for an SE air cleaner. But that is not what comes with the air cleaner.

[rich1]

I think that's it    are they any good?

I don't know. But if they prove to be a good filter that is what I will buy.

[Beave]

Someone previously posted about an issue with the metal mesh air filter sucking in debris when riding in the rain.  Might work great in Cali, but I wouldn't trust one.

[Buffalo]

  Never use air of any volume or description to clean a K&N type filter. Doing so blows the filters media open, making it useless!! I wash mine out from the inside with gasoline or varsol, air dry, then respray with the suitable oil.
Most factory air filters are NOT designed to be cleaned, air will do the same damage. Comparing what works on a street ridden Harley to a dirt track car is meaningless. Buy a K&N style air cleaner, follow the cleaning instructions carefully, run it until you retire from riding.  Buffalo