I've got an Arlen Ness Stage 1 air cleaner with only about 1000 miles on it. The filter appears to be K&N but I'm not sure we've ever established for fact that it is a true K&N. It came pre-oiled to a very dark pink color when I installed it and I believe it is only supposed to need cleaning every 5000 miles or more. However, I have maybe 1000 miles on it. The filter doesn't really appear to be dirty but, after a weekend at the beach, the salt air or something seems to have almost dried the thing out to the point where it is a very light pink to almost completely white in places.

First, anybody gone to the coast and experienced such a thing? Second, has anyone used a K&N clean and recharge kit to service the Arlen Ness Filter successfully? I can probably get a recharge kit at the local Auto Zone but doubt they will have one specific to a K&N motorcycle filter - not sure if that matters or not? Any thoughts?

 

The sun seems to bleach the pink and turn it white. Mine was pink then a few days later it was whitish and now it's a grey color. Nothing to worry about. You are correct in that you can buy a recharge kit from any auto parts store. I'm not sure if the Big Sucker is a K&N but I use the K&N recharge kit with no problems.

 

Actually, they DO have a K&N specific filter kit. Very simple procedure or you can buy a can of K&N Air filter oil at almost any parts store and use mild detergent to clean the filter. About $10 bucks for the kit. The filter that comes in the AN BS a/c IS a K&N filter. I put 5K on mine before I cleaned it. It really wasn't that dirty but the oil was fading on it, so I cleaned and re-oiled it.

 

Nothing to worry about? Isn't the oil key in filtering out small particals? I'm sure the filter is still working but probably not as well as it would with the oil - right?

Mine lightened up fairly quick and I think that's expected. But, I also think having a pink color indicates a "healthy" filter where lack of pink means it needs servicing. Mine has been run plenty in the sun. But from Friday to yesterday, it went from "healthy pink" to almost white/grey in a hurry and I am assuming it had more to do with salt in the air drying it out more than the sun.

Anyway, thanks for the feedback guys.

 

The oil is still present, it's just bleached. Then again I'm inland so I don't know much about the effects of salt air on the filter.

 

Believe this is the replacement filter for the a/c we're running:

http://www.knfilters.com/search/prod...x?Prod=HD-0800

But, I also believe they're lifetime guaranteed. Anyway, I've never replaced one on my rides.

 

How long has it been since you installed it (time rather than miles)?

 

4 or 5 months ago

 

Like an auto air filter, you replace it when it's dirty. It gets dirty when riding. I generally do mine about twice a season and it really don't get very dirty. I just like pink!