This may have been asked but I used the search function and could not find an answer. Not having the money to spend on major upgrades, I was thinking of replacing the stock air filter with a K&N but still retain the stock cover. There is one listed in the HD Catalog. My question is if I just change the filter and nothing else do I have to have the engine remapped? The only other mod I have made is took off the stock slip-on mufflers and put on Reinhart slip-ons. As I said major mods are not in the budget soon but we are working on that.

 

Go to JPCycles and search air breathers. Many of the kits you can reuse the stock breather cover or you can buy a KN to replace the stock filter. If you leave the cover stock you shouldn't have to remap it but a reasonable priced tuner like a PCV would a just enough fuel to wake the engine up a little and that's always a good thing.

 

The stock motors AFR is lean to begin with. When you add a free flowing A/C unit like a K&N you're allowing the motor to draw in more air than the fuel is calibrated for, which makes it even leaner = equals a hotter motor & more prone to pinging. An EFI controller is the best option although the dealer can do a Stage 1 download that helps some. Either way, you need to add more fuel.

 

You already have the mufflers. You can go with the vance&hines naked O2 air cleaner $125.00 internet price comes with K&N filter. Which allows you to keep air cleaner cover (football) however as stated you should add fuel management. V&h has the fuel pack. About $250.00 internet price. Good luck.

 

bang for buck hi flow air cleaner is the ness big sucker on ebay from easternpc... about $120

OR you can take a hole saw to your stock air cleaner housing and drill 5 to 7 3/4" holes in the side of the plastic backing plate

at this point you have increased flow going into your motor and increased flow out and tuning compensation will almost certainly be needed ( although some do fine with out, it varies--- run premium fuel only)--- if your bike has o2 sensors ( 2007 and up) you can add nightrider.com xieds for $100 to $130 depending on year of bike, these plug into the o2 sensors and will cause the ecm to put out a slightly richer mixture

Mike

 

What you are describing is a "Stage I Kit". The kit is comprised of a back(er) plate and a free flowing air filter (A/C). 2 filters are availble from H/D, a std. ($25) or one made by K&N ($65).
The K&N is able to be cleaned, although I have cleaned my std unit several times - the choice is yours.
You will get a TON of comments on the "re-map, add a tuner, or do nothing" question. To me, the re-map was the best option ($150) - I know it will run as designed, it is WAY less $ than a tuner & doing nothing was not an option (for me) given how much $$$ I have in the bike.

 

I would just buy the K&N filter & run the High Test Gas as normal if you start to hear pinging you need to do a remap if not Happy Trails.