Dyna Glide Models Super Glide, Super Glide Sport, Super Glide Custom, Dyna Glide Convertible, Super Glide T-Sport, Dyna Glide Police, Dyna Switchback, Low Rider, Street Bob, Fat Bob and Wide Glide.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Open air filter question...

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 12, 2006 | 11:05 AM
  #1  
Jim Dawson's Avatar
Jim Dawson
Thread Starter
|
Ultimate HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 7,498
Likes: 19
From: East Alton, IL
Default Open air filter question...

I have a K&N air filter with the SE backplate. I'm currently using the stock cover but like the looks of the open filter with just the center covered. Is there any downside to leaving the element exposed? i.e. drys out the filter oil, gets oil on your leg, rain problems, etc?

Thanks,
Jim
 
Reply
Old Jun 12, 2006 | 11:20 AM
  #2  
gbm's Avatar
gbm
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
From: Gulf Breeze, Fl.
Default RE: Open air filter question...

IMHO I won't run an exposed element filter, not even under the hood of my car, though a lot of folks do it. I'd rather keep as much crap off of it as possible.
 
Reply
Old Jun 12, 2006 | 11:35 AM
  #3  
hd_sob's Avatar
hd_sob
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,187
Likes: 0
From: DFW
Default RE: Open air filter question...

I've been running my exposed SE filter for a couple weeks now. Haven't experienced any downside yet. It rarely rains here, so that hasn't been an issue. Gonna replace it with a K&N as soon as I can get one.
 
Reply
Old Jun 12, 2006 | 11:38 AM
  #4  
atrox88's Avatar
atrox88
Ultimate HDF Member
Veteran: Army
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,279
Likes: 56
From: Union Bridge, MD
Default RE: Open air filter question...

Been running exposed for a few months now with no downside EXCEPT it collects insects quite a bit easier.
 
Reply
Old Jun 12, 2006 | 01:04 PM
  #5  
mcurry5's Avatar
mcurry5
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 714
Likes: 1
Default RE: Open air filter question...

Have had mine on for awhile, it does collect a lot of bug. You can wipe the bugs off, be careful not to bend the mesh wire. If the filter does get ruined(which I think would be hard to do) just buy another one. I think u can get a K&N from autozone for 39.99
 
Reply
Old Jun 12, 2006 | 01:15 PM
  #6  
but Ill try 2 try's Avatar
but Ill try 2 try
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,299
Likes: 1
From:
Default RE: Open air filter question...

Any of you who have had your bikes dyno'd with the open filter, did you dealer say anything. When my bike goes on the dyno in the next couple of weeks I want to have it tuned in the setup I will ride with. Didn't want my dealer to wise off about me running an open element. Any experience?
 
Reply
Old Jun 12, 2006 | 01:21 PM
  #7  
mcurry5's Avatar
mcurry5
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 714
Likes: 1
Default RE: Open air filter question...

the dyno tuner isnt gonna care what you have on your bike, As long as he gets paid he is gonna dyno it.
 
Reply
Old Jun 12, 2006 | 01:40 PM
  #8  
but Ill try 2 try's Avatar
but Ill try 2 try
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,299
Likes: 1
From:
Default RE: Open air filter question...

I was referring to them looking for any excuse to void my warranty especially with a mod like an open element.
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

10 Most Awkward-Looking Motorcycles Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Jason Momoa Is Turning Classic Harleys Into PHEVs

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-8

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jun 12, 2006 | 06:53 PM
  #9  
veniculum's Avatar
veniculum
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,828
Likes: 4
From: Central Jersey
Default RE: Open air filter question...

ORIGINAL: atrox88

Been running exposed for a few months now with no downside EXCEPT it collects insects quite a bit easier.
Exactly..same here
 
Reply
Old Jun 12, 2006 | 09:16 PM
  #10  
DGlide04's Avatar
DGlide04
Grand HDF Member
20 Year Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 4,022
Likes: 3
From: Hudson Valley- NY
Default RE: Open air filter question...

I've been running an open filter for over a year and have had no problems at all. I think it looks better but flows more air than either the stock football cover or any other full cover. I don't know for sure, maybe someone who knows for sure could chime in (Shovelhead Bob?) and let us know, but I don't think the dealer could void your warranty for running an open filter. As far as rain and bugs, I haven't had any at all. If it collects more bugs, they blow off on the highway and rain? I've ridden through some long hard downpours over the summer and never had as much as a cough from the bike.

I guess if a dealer wanted to give you a hard time they could, but then they could find that almost any modification made to the bike is "technically" in violation of your warranty. They'd have to prove that the open air cleaner lead to the problem that they're refusing to fix under warranty.

[IMG]local://upfiles/1981/9E271388DB2E4DCABF83A9DA3731F644.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]local://upfiles/1981/7E34E1FE6D444BCB858F622FF0AE17D8.jpg[/IMG]
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:14 PM.

story-0
10 Most Awkward-Looking Motorcycles Ever Built

Slideshow: Not every motorcycle can be a design icon, and these machines prove that bold styling doesn't always age gracefully.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:58:41


VIEW MORE
story-1
Jason Momoa Is Turning Classic Harleys Into PHEVs

Slideshow: Jason Momoa's latest restoration project blends 1920s Harley-Davidsons with modern electric technology, creating some of the most unusual hybrid motorcycles ever built.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-10 17:18:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

Slideshow: Killer Custom's latest build relies on styling changes rather than performance upgrades, giving the cruiser an entirely different personality.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 18:28:05


VIEW MORE
story-3
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

Slideshow: From military-inspired singles to scooters and three-wheel utility vehicles, these Harleys took the company far outside its comfort zone.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-02 18:34:10


VIEW MORE
story-4
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-5
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-6
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-8
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-9
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE