Sportster Models 883, 883 Custom, 1200 Custom, 883L, 1200L, 1200S, 1200 Roadster, XR1200, and the Nightster.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

S/E Air Filter mod

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 3, 2006 | 02:32 PM
  #1  
HaggisMan14's Avatar
HaggisMan14
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 189
Likes: 0
From:
Default S/E Air Filter mod

From doing some reading on sportster.org...it was saying that a S/E Air filter is more high flow than the K&N filter. When installing the S/E air filter do you need to change any of the backing plate stuff, or do you simply change out the filter, and then rejet?

Marc
 
Reply
Old May 3, 2006 | 07:40 PM
  #2  
Tim's Avatar
Tim
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,122
Likes: 2
From:
Default RE: S/E Air Filter mod

The SE AC is suppose to use a K&N filter. The back plate supplied is metal instead of plastic and you will proably have to rejet the carb. That said, before I would get ANY air filter, I would check out the Ramflo unit. I just installed one on my 1200, replacing the SE AC, and what a difference it makes! Check out at www.trak-tek.com. I used the 400 model. Tim
 
Reply
Old May 3, 2006 | 08:00 PM
  #3  
Shovelhead Bob's Avatar
Shovelhead Bob
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,537
Likes: 21
Default RE: S/E Air Filter mod

That is the Old School type of filter that is nice to have.....

But after a few years, you have to replace the foam outer ring.....

It will degrade and get very brittel....

When you go to rinse it out and replace the oil in it, it will begin to disintegrate....

But they flow like not having an A/C at all.....

More air means you can add more fuel....

Tuned right, you can have an XL that can be a real ripper....

You can also look at Uni Filter (K-N) Premium... It is an oil charged Foam unit as well

Only thing, it doesn't fit the "New" Sportster....

 
Reply
Old May 3, 2006 | 09:16 PM
  #4  
HaggisMan14's Avatar
HaggisMan14
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 189
Likes: 0
From:
Default RE: S/E Air Filter mod

Tim, that's an awesome filter... Do you have any pics of what it looks like installed on your bike? What Jets are you using now? I have a 1200 sporty sport, and regular rejet says i should use a 200 jet....would it get bumped up even higher since it's such a high flow filter? Lastly how often do you replace the filter...do you clean it..or just replace it once a year?

I just got my bike, and was probably going to put a new airfilter on since it's the beginning of the season...but if I could do this whole install myself for a few extra bucks...I just may go that route. Did you install it yourself?

Bob - how often would you have to reoil these? Would you use the K&N oiling kits?

Thanx for the info guys

Marc
 
Reply
Old May 3, 2006 | 09:47 PM
  #5  
Shovelhead Bob's Avatar
Shovelhead Bob
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,537
Likes: 21
Default RE: S/E Air Filter mod

You re-oil it when you clean it.....

NO K-N Filter oil.... Go to the Honda Dealer, get SPECTRO AIR FILTER OIL.....

It is very thick and tacky... Catches everything.... You dont saturate it to the point of it drips....

You pour some on it and squeeze it through, ensuring that the BLUE color is through the filter....

These types of filters get VERY DIRTY VERY QUICKLY......

Every 5K you are cleaning it out.....

If you live in a very dusty or dirty area, then you will do it at 2.5K....

 
Reply
Old May 4, 2006 | 07:35 PM
  #6  
Tim's Avatar
Tim
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,122
Likes: 2
From:
Default RE: S/E Air Filter mod

I haven't taken any pics yet. It looks just like on the web site though...very, very cool. My bike is a 1995 1200XL and came std with a 40 slow and a 170 main which was rejetted with a 42 and a 180 to acomadate the SE air cleaner and SE slip ons. I did not have to rejett for the Ramflo. I installed using their inst and the only problem was a slight oil leak on the rear breather bolt. I took it off and used Permatex on the assembly and have had no leaks since. Very easy. They say to clean every 5000 miles with soap and water and reoil using chain saw bar oil.
The Ramflo is just too old school cool! You can hear it sucking air as you drive along! Suppose to flow 400cfm. I also routed the breather down below the bike and have had no mess on or under my bike since. Can you tell I'm a little pleased? Tim
 
Reply
Old May 5, 2006 | 01:12 AM
  #7  
XL4me's Avatar
XL4me
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
From:
Default RE: S/E Air Filter mod

ShovelHead Bob - Only thing, it doesn't fit the "New" Sportster....
What would you recommend for an 05 Sportster ?
 
Reply
Old May 7, 2006 | 12:15 PM
  #8  
rbcss's Avatar
rbcss
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 378
Likes: 0
From: Ct
Default RE: S/E Air Filter mod

the newer style se kit has paper paper washable filter with a plastic backing plate. if you go with the se make sure it's not the BLUE one. they seem to get pin holes in the paper filter. make sure you get a black one in your kit, harley revised them. my dealer talked me into buying one when I did my stage 1, but after all the trouble with the se I wasn't was comterble with the se kit. so I bouht a arlen ness big sucker that has a k&n filter. I'm going to install this weekend. I'm not saying that other air filters are bad (like the ram flow ect) but I have used k&n for years and I like the product.
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

The Best and Worst Harley-Davidson Moves of 2025

 Verdad Gallardo
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Windseeker
EVO
13
Jun 6, 2019 03:27 PM
Odhar
Exhaust System Topics
2
Jan 8, 2013 03:45 PM
Javieret
EVO
5
May 9, 2008 02:24 AM
arachman
Exhaust System Topics
1
Aug 19, 2006 10:40 AM
Danester
Oil Archive (no new posts)
7
Aug 6, 2006 10:27 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:44 PM.

story-0
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-1
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-2
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-3
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
story-4
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-5
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE
story-8
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

Slideshow: Graeme Billington's left-hand-drive Shovelhead is as much about problem-solving as it is about classic Harley form.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-30 11:27:08


VIEW MORE
story-9
The Best and Worst Harley-Davidson Moves of 2025

Slideshow: A clear-eyed look at what actually worked for Harley this year, and what quietly undermined its progress.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-29 17:10:48


VIEW MORE