I have an Arlen Ness Big Sucker on my 06 Carburated Fatty, without the football cover just a cover over the end of the filter, see pic below.

Anyway, a group of us went to the Wisconsin state HOG rally today. Got caught in heavy rain all the way home.

Should I be concerned about water in the carb?

Bike ran fine just concerned that I might have taken in a bunch of water. Took off the air filter when I got home, didn't see much water on the intake but the front side of the filter is soaked. I'll let that dry out for a while before putting it back on.

 

I can't help but I will not run an open breather system that exposes the air filter to the elements. I ride a lot and get caught in the rain often. I have the se air kit with k&n filter but still using the stock cover

 

http://www.outerwearsracing.com/ I just ordered my second one as I some how lost my last one I have used for 3 year on my trip to N.M. I have the SE intake but they make all differant kinds. Give them a call. They wad up to the size of an egg or smaller. The only draw back is will not let my bike run faster that about 60 mph but if it is raining hard enough to have to use it am not running any faster any way. If rain slacks up temp. I just reach down and slide it back an inch on the back of filter.

 

You're bike would have stumbled if you sucked in enough water. Even then, it shouldn't be anything to worry about. I've ridden in heavy rains to where my bike was spitting and sputtering, but when I had it apart for new heads and pistons, all the internal parts looked fine. Ride it like you stole and don't worry about it.

 

I have been told that the little water that may get through your air cleaner and into your engine is immedietely vaporized and sent back out the tailpipe. No worries unless enough gets in there to cause sputtering and such but then you probably should not be riding if it is somehow raining that hard.

I have also heard that some people with "built up" engines actually spray several light bursts of water from a spray bottle directly into their throttle bodies every several thousand miles because it helps burn off carbon build up on the piston tops. That is just what I have heard...

 

Thanks for the replys guys.

 

Been in very heavy rain with mine and never had a problem. If the front of the filter gets water logged you still have a big surface area and it will get air from the back any how. If you had a lot of water get in you would soon know from the pinging. Water or cold air will boost up the compression.