PODS & Water

[sebring38]

I have a new set of PODS I am thinking about installing on my GS850G. Was wondering about riding in the rain, and washing the bike. Do I need to take precautions to keep them dry? Any comments appreciated. :?:

 

[Jethro]

Keep them well oiled, and try not to spray water right at them when you clean the bike. Otherwise, no worries.

I've ridden in torrential rain for hours on end, puddles 4" deep, with no problem. Just in case you were wondering.

 

[focus frenzy]

Keep them well oiled, and try not to spray water right at them when you clean the bike. Otherwise, no worries.

I've ridden in torrential rain for hours on end, puddles 4" deep, with no problem. Just in case you were wondering.

some people are alot luckyer than others!!!!

I have sucked water into a stock air cleaner!!!!
and I have seen a 83 GS750 with pods down to running on one cylinder due to water soaking his pods.

 

[Tarbash 27]

I RIDDEN IN THE RAIN WITH PODS ON MY 750. AND IT TENDS TO RUN A BIT CRAPPIER. I GUESS ITS THE MOISTURE IN THE AIR ALSO. WHEN WASHING MY BIKE. I TRY TO WRAP A PLASTIC BAG AROUND ALL 4 FILTERS AND IT WORKS PRETTY GOOD. BUT DONT INTENTIONALLY SOAK THEM.

 

[GS750]

Keep them well oiled, and try not to spray water right at them when you clean the bike. Otherwise, no worries.

I've ridden in torrential rain for hours on end, puddles 4" deep, with no problem. Just in case you were wondering.

some people are alot luckyer than others!!!!

I have sucked water into a stock air cleaner!!!!
and I have seen a 83 GS750 with pods down to running on one cylinder due to water soaking his pods.

There are pods and then there are PODS. Ive tried many filters over the years, and the K7N's have to beat the rest by far........

Cheap pods are often made out of paper.

The good washable filters are made from very fine cotton gauze which is layered.


some info from the K&N website:
Can the cotton gauze shrink from engine heat?

No. You will not have a problem with the material shrinking as long as the proper cleaning solutions and oil are used. K&N filters come with a limited 10-year million-mile warranty.



How do K&N filters differ from other brands of filters?

Most air filters sold today use synthetic fiber, foam, or paper as opposed to our 4-ply cotton gauze material. These materials do not have the very small fibers that natural cotton does. See our Air Filter Facts Page for more information. Only our reusable filters provide the high airflow capability while also providing a high filtering efficiency



How do I know when to clean the filter?

The general rule of thumb is that the filter needs to be cleaned when the dirt build up gets as thick as the wire mesh. The usual interval is 30,000 - 50,000 miles depending on driving conditions. We recommend that you check your filter about once a year in normal usage.

 

[FTGRET]

I've used K&N pods on several differtent bikes over the years and never had a problem with rain (including riding through the tail end of a hurricane). But I do know of people having problems with Emgos and other pods.

 

[KEITH KRAUSE]

Some people say they have problems in the rain, others not.
As for washing, a hose isn't necessary to keep a bike clean. In fact, it deteriorates the bike. High pressure just makes things worse.
For the same effort and better results, use a damp cloth in one hand and a dry cloth in the other. Doesn't take long to learn how to get the cloth into every nook and cranny and it's just better in the long run.
Only way this method takes longer is if you're the type that uses a hose and doesn't dry the bike well in the first place.

 

[sebring38]

PODs & Water: Carb Modifications

PODs & Water: Carb Modifications

Thanks, sounds like they might work ok for day to day use. Next question: I have stock carbs. What modifications do I need to make to the carbs in order for the bike to run right with the pods? :?:
sebring38

 

[GS750]

Re: PODs & Water: Carb Modifications

Re: PODs & Water: Carb Modifications

Thanks, sounds like they might work ok for day to day use. Next question: I have stock carbs. What modifications do I need to make to the carbs in order for the bike to run right with the pods? :?:
sebring38

I would simply install them and see how they go.

If you have an open exhaust or 4 into 1 etc, then I would consider rejetting, about 2-3 sizes UP on the primary fuel, and about 1 size on the idle jet.

It is often a bit of a falicy that you have to rejet, when only installing pods.

The best way to decide if you need to rejet is to have it DYNO tuned. They analyse the exhaust gasses.

 

[GS750]

With the K&N's You simply wash them with the special fluid, then rinse them under tap water.

they are awesome filters! Ive got the RC-1070's on my GS750B (1977)
http://www.knfilters.com/search/product.aspx?Prod=RC-1070

check their website
http://www.knfilters.com/

 

[KEITH KRAUSE]

Re: PODs & Water: Carb Modifications

Re: PODs & Water: Carb Modifications

Thanks, sounds like they might work ok for day to day use. Next question: I have stock carbs. What modifications do I need to make to the carbs in order for the bike to run right with the pods? :?:
sebring38

Pods will lean out the mixture greatly. You'll have to raise the jet needles, increase main jet size and for the pilot circuit, adjust the fuel screws or possibly larger pilot jets.
May take some trial and error. Not always a case of buying one set of jets and you're done. A jet kit won't figure to help because no jet kits are designed for pod filters in combination with a stock pipe.
I personally suggest buying a pipe and jet kit. A free flow exhaust and intake compliment each other. One without the other means you won't realize the potential. For that reason and the possible difficulty re-jetting this combo, I suggest staying with the stock air box.
You'll also need a vacuum tool to synch the carbs properly as part of the re-jet.
If you still want to go with the pods, tell us what brand they are and verify the rest of the bike is stock. We'll make some suggestions.

 

[sebring38]

Keith: Don't know the manufacturer, but here is a link to the picture:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4582171999&category=35597

 

[KEITH KRAUSE]

OK. Those are either Emgo's or similar. Check their maint'/care instructions to see if they require oiling. Most of the non-K&N pods don't.
Also, I just realized you have an '82 model. You have the CV carbs. This means your jet needles may not be adjustable. Are you in the US? If so, they are not adjustable. If these filters flow significantly better than stock (they should), then you will have to richen the jet needle circuit. You spend the most time riding on the jet needles and this circuit must be jetted right to avoid a lean mixture. Without adjustable needles, you'll have to either try "shimming" the needles up or buy a jet kit to obtain the adjustable needles. Again, the problem with using jet kit needles is that neither stage 1 or stage 3 needles will be designed for your pod only set up. That doesn't mean they won't work, it just means you could have added difficulty with the possibility that you'll never jet it right. The other jets in either kit would be useless to your set up also. You might try shimming the needles with various thickness/quantity of spacers. For good throttle response, you may have to drill out the vacuum ports to the diaphragm/piston chambers too. You may also have primary air jet changes to make, besides all the other jetting changes.
Just letting you know there's some work here to do. It's not as easy as getting larger mains, possibly pilot jets and off you go.
Your CV carbs can be difficult to tune. You won't gain much power with this set up. In fact, you may lose some low end/mid-range grunt. If ease of carb removal is factoring into this pod decision, consider that with a good cleaning (if needed) and inner o-ring/manifold/possible manifold o-ring inspection, a clean gas tank and making sure old gas doesn't varnish the carbs inside, you should be able to go many years without having the need to remove the carbs.
I'm not saying pods are a poor choice, just that you may be opening a can of worms here for very little benefit. As I said earlier, you may not even like the new manners the bike may have with the pods.

 

[Hoomgar]

Keith: Don't know the manufacturer, but here is a link to the picture:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4582171999&category=35597

Do yourself a favor and don't buy those. You will be waisting your money in the long run unless you don't plan on riding more than a couple hundred miles a year. But you will have water problems with them. I have used K&N's for over 20 years and never had water problems. Riding in the rain, washing the bike, whatever, no problem. I have seen countless people post on here there woes from using those cheap Emgo type paper filters and most of them are the ones who complain of water problems. There are always exceptions :roll:

Those filters your looking at are paper and cannot be cleaned or even oiled well for that matter. If you install them, you will most likely have water problems and will have to keep buying new ones when they need cleaning. Buy the K&N's now and avoid the water hassles. You will also then have a world of jetting info available to you. You will also save money because they are a once and done purchase because you clean and reuse them for decades to come. Possibly forever.

Hoom's 2 cents.

 

[Jethro]

I'm not saying pods are a poor choice, just that you may be opening a can of worms here for very little benefit. As I said earlier, you may not even like the new manners the bike may have with the pods.

For the love of god, listen to the man!

I can confirm that the CV carbs are extremely hard to get mixing perfectly at all throttle positions at the same time, unless it's a 100% stock setup. That's all I am going to say about that, although I could write a 20 page manuscript about my past carb woes... :x

If you really want the pod filters, without a doubt get a 4 into 1 system, and the jet kit. Further, make sure you buy a known pipe, not some no-name thing that no one can tell you how to jet correctly.

Keep in mind that if you lean out the mixture too much and don't realize it, you can do some serious damage to your motor. I've got a head with melted exhaust valves to prove that.

 

[robertbarr]

Re: PODs & Water: Carb Modifications

Re: PODs & Water: Carb Modifications

What modifications do I need to make to the carbs in order for the bike to run right with the pods? :?:
sebring38

Basically, it's necessary to sell your soul to Satan, the original designer of pods.

You might encounter different opinions.

 

[sebring38]

OK, I get the picture clearly :lol: Carbs are rebuilt, engine side boots replaced with O-rings, and air box tightened up. Don't want to do that "sell your soul to the devil" thing, so will keep as is. Those pods sure would look good though. One final question: Where is the best deal on air box side rubber boots?
Keith sebring38

 

[AOD]

Do yourself a favor and don't buy those. You will be waisting your money in the long run unless you don't plan on riding more than a couple hundred miles a year. But you will have water problems with them.

I disagree completely, Hoomie. I have used the Emgo pods on my 550 for 2 years now without any issues. I take the filters off occasionally put em in the dishwasher. Regarding rain or water issues, there are none with my bike. I've ridden it in the flood rally of 2004, our rainy ride last year, and others without issues. The only time it gets waterbogged is after a wash where I may get some near the filters. A few minutes of running it and it clears out.

So...if you don't have $120 for pod K&N's, I've had luck with the Emgo's. That's just my story, so take it for what it's worth.

~Adam

 

[Hoomgar]

Do yourself a favor and don't buy those. You will be waisting your money in the long run unless you don't plan on riding more than a couple hundred miles a year. But you will have water problems with them.

I disagree completely, Hoomie. I have used the Emgo pods on my 550 for 2 years now without any issues. I take the filters off occasionally put em in the dishwasher. Regarding rain or water issues, there are none with my bike. I've ridden it in the flood rally of 2004, our rainy ride last year, and others without issues. The only time it gets waterbogged is after a wash where I may get some near the filters. A few minutes of running it and it clears out.

So...if you don't have $120 for pod K&N's, I've had luck with the Emgo's. That's just my story, so take it for what it's worth.

~Adam

Like I said, exceptions. I have met Adam in person and he is of upstanding caliber so you can take what he said for gospel truth. When it comes to stuff like this, you got to go with your gut and find what works for you.

 

[bwringer]

But Adam's 550 doesn't have CV carbs...