SE Air Cleaner
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,950
Likes: 2
From: Colorado Springs, CO
SE Air Cleaner
For you new Dyna owners, I have a question about the air cleaner.
As I understand it, the new stock can has solenoid controlled flapper to open the can when the engine needs more air. Controlled by rpm? And there must be some other opening in the can to allow air to enter the rest of the time.
In the past, everybody swapped the air cleaner in an attempt to gain more power (which worked). But it worked by providing a more open can, not by replacing the filter element. If you simply drilled some 3/4-1" holes in the backing plate, it worked just as well as the SE and it was free. Paper elements are actually quite good for airflow. And there are less expensive gauze/oil alternatives to K&N.
Can you use the same tricks on the new ones with the same results?
As I understand it, the new stock can has solenoid controlled flapper to open the can when the engine needs more air. Controlled by rpm? And there must be some other opening in the can to allow air to enter the rest of the time.
In the past, everybody swapped the air cleaner in an attempt to gain more power (which worked). But it worked by providing a more open can, not by replacing the filter element. If you simply drilled some 3/4-1" holes in the backing plate, it worked just as well as the SE and it was free. Paper elements are actually quite good for airflow. And there are less expensive gauze/oil alternatives to K&N.
Can you use the same tricks on the new ones with the same results?
Banned
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 14,496
Likes: 156
From:
RE: SE Air Cleaner
Bob
The holes will increase the intake of air into the filter area, but the stock filter is still the restriction here, refer to your other post on K&N filters for an explination.
https://www.hdforums.com/m_198277/mp.../tm.htm#199439
Taller is better, not wider.
Actually it is a combination fo both that gives the increase here.
The holes will increase the intake of air into the filter area, but the stock filter is still the restriction here, refer to your other post on K&N filters for an explination.
https://www.hdforums.com/m_198277/mp.../tm.htm#199439
Taller is better, not wider.
In the past, everybody swapped the air cleaner in an attempt to gain more power (which worked). But it worked by providing a more open can, not by replacing the filter element
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,950
Likes: 2
From: Colorado Springs, CO
RE: SE Air Cleaner
The referanced post was in regards to a '98 Evo. The filters were almost exactly the same size between stock and SE then. The SE kit for the sporty was the same way. The performance advantage of a K&N filter alone is suspect at best. For the Evo kits, the advantage came from oepning up the can for better air flow, not from replacing thefilter.
And that's why I'm asking about the new engines, because I just didn't know if it's the same now as it was then. Nice to know there's been an improvement, as I thought the SE air cleaner was a rip off in the past. Bigger elements are usually an improvement.
I also read somewhere (here?) that the new SE kit includes a paper element. And that recently a K&N replacement was available. Is that true?
And that's why I'm asking about the new engines, because I just didn't know if it's the same now as it was then. Nice to know there's been an improvement, as I thought the SE air cleaner was a rip off in the past. Bigger elements are usually an improvement.
I also read somewhere (here?) that the new SE kit includes a paper element. And that recently a K&N replacement was available. Is that true?
Banned
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 14,496
Likes: 156
From:
RE: SE Air Cleaner
That is very true. HD had a contract with K&N that terminated for whatever reason and they stopped using the K&N filter in the stage kits. The Ness big sucker has the K&N filter in it and works well too.
https://www.hdforums.com/m_67662/tm.htm
Here's the big sucker kit
https://www.hdforums.com/m_67662/tm.htm
Here's the big sucker kit
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,034
Likes: 3
From:
RE: SE Air Cleaner
ORIGINAL: bobcowan
For you new Dyna owners, I have a question about the air cleaner.
As I understand it, the new stock can has solenoid controlled flapper to open the can when the engine needs more air. Controlled by rpm? And there must be some other opening in the can to allow air to enter the rest of the time.
For you new Dyna owners, I have a question about the air cleaner.
As I understand it, the new stock can has solenoid controlled flapper to open the can when the engine needs more air. Controlled by rpm? And there must be some other opening in the can to allow air to enter the rest of the time.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 130
Likes: 0
RE: SE Air Cleaner
K&N does make a replacement for the paper SE element. Tha product number HD-0800.
See the following thread for more discussion:
https://www.hdforums.com/m_114997/tm.htm
Steve
See the following thread for more discussion:
https://www.hdforums.com/m_114997/tm.htm
Steve
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,950
Likes: 2
From: Colorado Springs, CO
RE: SE Air Cleaner
OK, let me make sure I have this straight.
The current SE air cleaner kit gives you a new backing plate with a better (?) PCV system, an open can, and a taller paper element. The original cover is still used. For $140. Do you think this is a good value?
Or can you accomplish the same thing by modifying the stock parts?
The current SE air cleaner kit gives you a new backing plate with a better (?) PCV system, an open can, and a taller paper element. The original cover is still used. For $140. Do you think this is a good value?
Or can you accomplish the same thing by modifying the stock parts?
Trending Topics
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 858
Likes: 1
From: Upstate NY / San Clemente CA
RE: SE Air Cleaner
Seeing as I paid for the SE AC I hope it was not a rip off.....but.....it sounds like the old trick your referring to would work????
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
The Best and Worst Harley-Davidson Moves of 2025
Verdad Gallardo
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,034
Likes: 3
From:
RE: SE Air Cleaner
ORIGINAL: bobcowan
OK, let me make sure I have this straight.
The current SE air cleaner kit gives you a new backing plate with a better (?) PCV system, an open can, and a taller paper element. The original cover is still used. For $140. Do you think this is a good value?
Or can you accomplish the same thing by modifying the stock parts?
OK, let me make sure I have this straight.
The current SE air cleaner kit gives you a new backing plate with a better (?) PCV system, an open can, and a taller paper element. The original cover is still used. For $140. Do you think this is a good value?
Or can you accomplish the same thing by modifying the stock parts?
https://www.hdforums.com/m_174418/tm.htm
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post