K&N airpods

[bill_face]

I've bought a 1979 GS550 which has some airpod type airfilters on. They need replacing as they are kind of falling apart & I was thinking of getting some fancy K&N ones. However the ones K&N recommend on their website for the bike won't fit onto the outer (1 & 4) intakes, as the frame gets in the way.

https://www.knfilters.co.uk/search/product.aspx?prod=RC-2314

They do make some smaller straight ones, that the lady on the phone told me would have half the HP, from 245HP to 120HP.

Does anyone have any experience with this problem? Or insight into whether the reduced HP capacity will affect the GS550 (which seems to have a lower HP anyway)? Or any other solutions... I was presuming mixing and matching smaller and larger ones is a bad idea, but I don't know much about engines...

 

[Guest]

I'm afraid that I don't know the answer to your question, but I would be very wary of any advice from 'the lady on the phone'. A good, stock 550 makes 49hp.

550s were fitted with VM carbs before 1980, and BS carbs from then on, so you need to be aware of that. The different carbs have a different inlet circumference. I have heard of the issue of filters being obstructed by the frame. Presumably you don't have the standard airbox?

Also, might be worth posting a photo of your carbs, just to be certain which type you have.

 

[hannibal]

No HP issue. Just compare the specs on their site and see what will fit on the bike.

 

[Nessism]

The RC-2314 pods are listed for VM carbs which should be the type for the '79 GS550. No clue if they will clear the frame rail though.

 

[hampshirehog]

They do hit the frame on 1 and 4. The shorter, dumpier version is the one to go for.

 

[red1100]

I?d like to see even 120 hp in a 550 frame. That could be fun.

 

[RichDesmond]

I’d like to see even 120 hp in a 550 frame. That could be fun.

I'm thinking "terrifying" is the better word.

 

[Carter Turk]

I’d like to see even 120 hp in a 550 frame. That could be fun.��

Is this RedKat from PNW riders? Not that I visit that site anymore with all the ads.

 

[bill_face]

Sorry for the slow reply, got swamped with things less interesting but more pressing that fixing up an old bike : )

Thanks for all the info.

In light of it I bought some of these filters: https://www.knfilters.co.uk/search/product.aspx?prod=RC-0844

I'll attach a photo of the current set up incase anyone is interested. I presume I have the VM carbs.

 

[Guest]

Those are VM carbs.

 

[gustovh]

I see that you have the extra horse power red as well.

V

 

[red1100]

After having a bracket race 71 Duster with 1198 hp and 1400 lbs of torque,4 speed manual to boot,more is always better. That car was built with a stock 318 from the factory. 120 hp in a 550? That?s a start.

 

[red1100]

I?m red1100 from LaCenter Washington

 

[LightsOut]

I’d like to see even 120 hp in a 550 frame. That could be fun.

I'd like to see the full 245hp with the longer filters - now that'd be smoking, quite literally. Would give the Kawa H2 a run for its money
That lady knows her stuff!

 

[Tenshots1]

I have a 1980 GS550E and looked into this about a year ago when converting my motorcycle into a cafe. I found two things: 1) Only the K&N thin oval air pods that connect to two carb inlets per one filter will fit on this bike. If you look around with this in mind, you can find them, but they are kind of rare so it will take a little effort. There are also some tiny off-brand airpods that will fit if you really wedge them in there, but it looks like a PITA. The oval pods looked like the best bet. 2) Any air pods run on this bike tend to lead to performance issues. The CV carbs dont like pods and dialing them in is complicated. Best to run a stock airbox. I searched for probably 30 hours on air pods with a GS bike and 90% of the time, people had issues and found that the stock airbox was a much better issue. I, like you, love the look of pods and an open a-frame, so I was a bit bummed. However, I finished the cafe look and still thinks it looks great with the airbox installed.

Here is the offbrand style: https://www.dimecitycycles.com/49mm-k-and-n-universal-round-air-filter.html