Anyone have this happen to them? I noticed today that there are about 5 holes in my air filter ranging from about 1/16 inch to about 1/8 inch where I can see all the way through the filter material. I have the SE Ventilator with the filter that came with it that is supposed to be washable but I have only washed it twice and the material is already coming apart. My question is are there any auto parts stores or anywhere you guys know of that I can get a replacement locally? I already have one on order through the dealer but don't want to wait for it to come in before I can ride again. This seems like a really dumb problem to have and I'm surprised the dealer doesn't stock them. Any help is appreciated as always.

 

Exposed air filters are vulnerable to foreign object damage, and I wouldn't be surprised to see small holes in them. Those gauze air filters are fragile. You don't use a brush on the filter when you wash it, do you?

 

No I don't use a brush. I just soak it in a bucket of soapy water for a few minutes and rinse it off with the garden hose. Maybe the water pressure was to high. I don't know.

 

http://www.knfilters.com/cleaning.htm

 

And there you have it. Everybody that uses an OEM filter element states that it perfectly fine to wash the OEM filter and now you've found out exactly what happens to it when you do that. They are single use only, I don't care what anything else states.

 

Thanks, that's good info there. I have been running K&N for over 20 years and apparently cleaning it too often.

 

And I thought I was neglecting it by only washing it twice in a year and a half. Haha. Oh well. I guess I know now. Even the guys at the dealer said I should be able to wash it until I told them it was falling apart after two washes.

 

OEM filters in HD's are not washable per HD. However I have developed a way to get them clean for about three uses.

First spray the filter element on the inside with WD-40. Set for awhile. Then pour a hot mild soap solution through again from the inside. Rinse with hot water. I gently blown air through from the inside. Set overnight to dry. Inspect the element looking through it in front of a light source.

I have found by the second or third cleaning some clear areas come up. At that point I install a K&N.

 

This isn't the OEM filter. It is a screamin eagle ventilator. I thought they claimed that the filter element is washable. But I guess not.

 

Do these air filters you're talking about have paper elements. 'Cuz ya can't wash paper ya know.