1980 GS450E Air Filter Box

[Strycker]

Ok, so I'm a bit confused. I was going to do away with the airbox on my rebuild 1980 GS450E but decided to just get the thing together as best I can and see if it will start. Now after opening the airbox, there's no filter inside. There is a mesh screen element up behind the inlet to the carbs.

Do I need to purchase a new filter for inside and what shape should it be? I see a lot of oval ones from UNI and I've seen a panel style one. Not sure what one goes in my bike like stock. Any suggestions?

Utlimately would like to pod it and jet it, but for now, just going to clean up and try to run it. Not even sure it'll go yet.

 

[Guest]

If you're just going to make sure it starts then turn it off again, you can get away with putting something over the intake side of the carbs to restrict the flow, being ultra careful it won't get sucked into them of course.

I need to do a similar thing for my first startup but I also would like some sort of filtering as I'll need to let it run for about 15 minutes and I don't want to suck anything into the carbs while it's running. Not sure on a solution yet, need to sort electrics first.

Alternatively, the top of the airbox should have a plastic nozzle type thing that slides on and that's where the air filter goes.

Parts fiche diagram:

 

[BassCliff]

Hi,

The UNI filter # NU2438 is the stock-style (foam) replacement for your air filter (#2 in the picture above; Suzuki part# 13781-44100). You'll probably have to order one online or have a local bike shop/auto parts store order one for you. I'd be surprised if anyone had this part in stock. I think they're about $13 or so.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

 

[youngndumb]

For testing sake, I stuffed the 250's air intake full of foam...not always so kosher I know...but it worked. I'd order the stock though, appears to be the same as the 250, which was about $13 through a dealer, so I'm sure you can find it a little cheaper.

 

[Strycker]

I finally got around to ordering the UNI-2438 from eBay and received it. It's basically just a foam filter. Now, the other question. Is part #3 in the diagram above a plastic filter holder that is then placed inside the airbox? I think that part is missing from my bike. It looks like it might sandwich the filter possibly? Does anyone have an actual photo or can provide one for me of how it's installed? Might have to go hunt for that part now too.

 

[Guest]

Don't have a photo at the moment and won't be able to get one for a day or two, but it's a bit of plastic that sandwiches the filter foam in.

It sits under a lip in the airbox on top of the foam, so you need to squeeze and bend it in, it's flexible. Make sense?

 

[John Mellencamp]

I never really understood this either when I placed the flexible plastic cover on top of the foam it would just push the foam down and not completly cover the intake . I ended up putting the plastic cover in first and neatly putting the foam on top .

 

[Strycker]

Well there's another piece of the puzzle I have to find and buy then... wonderful.. anyone have one laying around by chance??

 

[AFRetired]

I never really understood this either when I placed the flexible plastic cover on top of the foam it would just push the foam down and not completly cover the intake . I ended up putting the plastic cover in first and neatly putting the foam on top .

Huh, when I opened my airbox (besides having to vac out rat poison from the PO), I had two of those plastic frames, one on top of the filter, and one underneath. Seems to work OK.

 

[Guest]

I'll have to try and get some time to dig around while I'm on holidays, mine should be in the airbox. I won't be needing the airbox, but I want to keep it long enough to get it registered just incase the transport people have a whinge about my K&N pods.