I really like the cover, can i just buy a performance filter and call it a day?

Something like this: K&N HD-8834

Are they as good as the open ones? Any other suggestions?

 

You can on the 103 engine, I have the Harley Stage 1 Kit, you use your cover and they supply a screaming Eagle nut cover.

 

That's what I went with ( K&N ) and then drilled extra holes in the backside of the filter back plate base to allow more air flow. My next step later was removing the two filter ports going to the crankcase vents and covering them over with epoxy then running the crankcase vents down through the filter base and under the bike. Pretty tight curve running the cc vents but I found some parts that allowed it to work.

 

Youll need a new backplate. Like see here:

http://www.harley-davidson.com/store/se-stage-1-sportster-air-cleaner-kit-pa-18-2978207--1

Or here

http://www.1250kits.com/xlaircleaners.shtml

You can keep your ham can cover if you want.

 

Around $200 for Hammer Performance air assembly and you can use your ham can. Hopefully I will purchase one before summertime kicks in. Like the look of the forward offset assembly for more knee room.

 

delete.

 

I went with the Hammer Performance Impact offset. Here is the link.

http://www.1250kits.com/xlaircleaners.shtml

 

Derf, send me a PM if you would like to see pictures of my set up using the K&N filter you spoke of. I didn't need to replace the back plate and the cover fit fine. Wish you were in the states, I have a extra filter I'd sell you at half of that price. Shipping to Canada, you would probably get it in a month I bet..... Total cost of my change out was the price of the filter plus a few dollars for the CC bypass if you want that added on.

 

changing the filter (k&n) only and stuffing it back in the ham can =/= stage 1 filter. still at 130 cfm. you just have a nice less restrictive filter element. debate it all day.. that's what it is.

this comes up so routinely:
https://www.google.com/search?q=spor...hrome&ie=UTF-8

you'd have to mod or replace the backplate and just run the cover without the lower portion of the cover with the inlet.



http://www.nrhsperformance.com/partshurricaneflow.shtml


there are many folks that have done it.

• https://www.hdforums.com/forum/sport...r-cleaner.html
• https://www.hdforums.com/forum/sport...k-ham-can.html
• http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/s...d.php?t=719615

@OP:

i know money does not grow on trees and availability may be limited in some places, do what you gotta do.

at $65 may not hurt to jump on this at $115(or cheaper if you look):
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Arlen-Ness-B...FWG-ux&vxp=mtr

 

Thanks for all the answers. My ultimate goal is to have a proper stage one and keep my cover. I will not cheap put on the setup but i also dont want to spend as much as the stealer is selling those parts.

And a filter without oil would be just about perfect, but i dont know if it will fit this setup.

Edit: And after putting my Bassani 3" Firepower, i get some popping at decel.