Did a search but did not find any definitive answers. Cleaning out the SE air filter for the first time on my '04 RKC. Not sure when the previous owner did it, so I figured I'd give it a shot. This is not the big sucker or heavy breather, it is perfectly round and fits inside the "football" cover.

Also, my air filter has the black gaskets and is stamped "K&N" so I'm guessing it's one of the later models. I have it soaking in warm soapy water right now, I'm assuming after about 20 minutes or so, rinse gently and let air dry before putting it back on my bike right?

Lastly, it did have some very black oil on parts of it and when I cleaned around the air filter housing, it was pretty oily too. One of the 3 screws were stripped, so I had to take a ride to the dealer and got myself 3 new screws and I asked about oiling the filter with the K&N kit, but he said he wouldn't oil it at all.

Thoughts? Advice? What I thought was going to take me a half hour tops is already on my 3rd hour including a trip to the dealership and drilling out a screw....

 

The "newer" SE air filter is basically paper, sounds like you have the old SE filter when HD used the K&N filters that can be washed and re-oiled. Go to Autozone and buy a K&N recharge kit cause after you wash it and it dries out a thin application of oil is required. Too much and it will drip on to your cam cover. That K&N is good for as long as you own the bike and then some.

 

Thanks! I see the marking A063A4 on it and after further research it is in fact a K&N air filter compatible with the HD0800. It is drying now, will run out and get that K&N kit.

 

I've always washed my k&n's from the inside out with the garden hose, let it dry, then re oiled with the re charge kit.

 

No need for the kit if you can just buy the spray on oil.The kit comes with oil and a spray on cleaner.
The cleaner can be substituted with a good dish soap like Dawn.

 

Correct me if I'm wrong. I thought the SE A/C is just a wash and dry process. No oiling needed and recommended. K&N requires oiling but not SE.

 

The HD, SE, air filter element is paper. It is not washable. Best to just switch to a K&N replacement element that can be washed and re-oiled.
The cheap HD paper element has been known to come apart and small pieces of it plus dirt get sucked into your engine. That is why I switched mine to a K&N.
HD use to use K&N elements in their SE air filters, but their bean counters decided to go with the cheap paper elements to save a few bucks.
You can do a search on this forum and the CVO forum. There are pictures of the paper elements that are falling apart.
Tom