Single cone filter fixed to air plenum?

[k.graham]

Hey All!

I'm new as a member here but have been using this forum as a resource since I got my 79 GS 550 back in April. I have to say it's awesome that this exists! Such a valuable resource with so many knowledgable people!

I rode my GS pretty much the way I bought it all summer. but it is starting to cool off here in Canada, so my mind is bending towards converting my bike into more of a scrambler/brat/tracker this winter and would like to get a game plan worked out.

I was looking over the bike today and pondering the question that i'm sure has been asked on this forum enough times to make your head spin... To keep the stock airbox, or switch to pods? Then a different question hit me... Can I keep the air plenum in the bike and just remove the airbox, then put a single cone filter into the intake hole of the plenum?

I was wondering if anyone has any photos of their GS's with a similar setup? Or, for that matter any other creative ways to modify that section of the bike to make it look a little more light and agile aside from slapping some pods on those carbs and moving the electrics under the seat?

Any input would be greatly appreciated!

 

[thebusdweller]

I kept the stock air box and used a sock type Uni filter . It worked out good and no issues tuning the carbs. The air intake noise is louder. Tom

 

[Steve]

Or, for that matter any other creative ways to modify that section of the bike to make it look a little more light and agile aside from slapping some pods on those carbs and moving the electrics under the seat?

Seriously??? The 550 is pretty heavy to be any kind of "scrambler". You want to remove an air filter housing that weighs maybe two pounds, replace it with a filter that might weigh about half a pound so you can make it LOOK lighter?

If you want something that LOOKS "light and agile", why not START with something light and agile? :-\\\

.

 

[DohcBikes]

my mind is bending towards converting my bike into more of a scrambler/brat/tracker

3 completely different bikes. When I see people using this slash method to describe the hack job they are no doubt soon to be producing, it makes me want to throw my computer out of the window and forget the internet ever existed.

Keep the GS the way it is. Buy a KLR.

 

[uk gs nut]

second that, chop up a Honda !

 

[k.graham]

3 completely different bikes. When I see people using this slash method to describe the hack job they are no doubt soon to be producing, it makes me want to throw my computer out of the window and forget the internet ever existed.

Keep the GS the way it is. Buy a KLR.

Haha! I love it!

The simple fact is, that the GS550 is the bike that I have, and it's the bike that I want to build from. I'm the type of person that loves to tinker and modify things. I'm completely green when it comes to motorcycles specifically, and perhaps that's become obvious in my original post. My question was one regarding appearance. I won't be the first person to modify the GS550 to make it look more aggressive, so i know its not a ridiculous proposal to change it from stock. You'll be wasting your time to tell me to use a different bike. My view is that the joy in modification comes from the act of actually modifying what your working on to suit your needs. I used the "slash method" because I don't have a firm idea of what I want my bike to look like yet... That's why I'm posting here! My question was and is still specifically about keeping the air plenum intact, and removing the portion that houses the airbox. What I want are some photos, so I have a reference point for what that actually looks like, or photos of other modification alternatives to this section that other people have done....

Thanks!

 

[k.graham]

I kept the stock air box and used a sock type Uni filter . It worked out good and no issues tuning the carbs. The air intake noise is louder. Tom

Hey Tom,

Did you delete the housing for the air filter, or just add a uni-filter inside the housing? I'd like to see what a single exposed air filter looks like, if anyone has done it... I think it might look pretty cool!

 

[DohcBikes]

Oh, I've only built 3 custom gs550's frame up (even built one with dual sport tires) so I can completely understand why my opinion is irrelevant to you. It doesn't contain the answer you want to hear, so it is invalid.

I completely disagree that a gs550 can't be built as a scrambler. With much skill, forethought, and lots of experience, anything is possible. However, in pursuit of this difficult goal, a first time builder will end up with a bike that does nothing well. After reading and evaluating your response to my ribbing, the day I see a custom that excels at any type of riding, is the day I eat my hat.

You wanna build a scrambler/brat/tracker and your first question is about the aesthetics of an airbox. Case closed.

 

[k.graham]

Oh, I've only built 3 custom gs550's frame up (even built one with dual sport tires) so I can completely understand why my opinion is irrelevant to you. It doesn't contain the answer you want to hear, so it is invalid.

I completely disagree that a gs550 can't be built as a scrambler. With much skill, forethought, and lots of experience, anything is possible. However, in pursuit of this difficult goal, a first time builder will end up with a bike that does nothing well. After reading and evaluating your response to my ribbing, the day I see a custom that excels at any type of riding, is the day I eat my hat.

You wanna build a scrambler/brat/tracker and your first question is about the aesthetics of an airbox. Case closed.

Hey man, first off, i'm sorry. I'm not trying to be dismissive here. I was just curious about a specific thing on a bike that I couldn't find photos of anywhere. You've obviously got more experience than I do, and that knowledge is validation enough. I'm sure that my first build is not going to look like it's my fifth build, but I have to start somewhere. I'd love to see some photos of your bike builds if you have them posted somewhere. Can you send me a link?

 

[Guest]

I was looking over the bike today and pondering the question that i'm sure has been asked on this forum enough times to make your head spin... To keep the stock airbox, or switch to pods? Then a different question hit me... Can I keep the air plenum in the bike and just remove the airbox, then put a single cone filter into the intake hole of the plenum?

Possibly questionable bike type and/or style choices aside, yes, you can remove the rear half of the airbox and install a single large K&N filter directly onto the front half of the airbox. That is what my 1100E had in place when I bought it. You need to jet accordingly and it is probably easier to make work than individual pod filters on the carbs but I can't confirm that. My bike was supposedly jetted and dyno tuned by a local classic bike shop and it ran OK but not great. After switching to pods and sorting the jetting myself it now runs much better in every respect.


Mark

 

[k.graham]

Thanks Mark!

Do you have any photos of your bike when it had the single filter on it? did it look goofy w/ that setup, or did you just change to individual pods because you weren't happy with the performance? I'm curious to see if it's a look that i actually like. My guess is that I haven't seen photos of it because people don't like the look... It's not something I have my heart set on doing, it was just an idea that popped into my head while i was daydreaming yesterday. Went to the internet, and found nothing in the way of photos, but it seems as though people have mentioned having this setup on at least a handful of different threads.

 

[thebusdweller]

I deleted the filter box and attached the Uni to the plenum.

 

[k.graham]

Sweet! have any photos you wouldn't mind sharing?

 

[roeme]

You shouldn't chop up a perfectly fine 550 as your first project (I admit to having biased view in this respect, see sig ).

Instead use the GS to get comfortable with common issues with these classic bikes, how to handle them, and generally know your way around the bike with a wrench.
I do speak from experience, my daily 550, in conjunction with this forum, taught me so, so much. And I started from absolute zero.

For your project, get one of the Honda CB's instead - IIRC, their tail-piece is screwed on. This way you don't even have to chop up the frame for the larger part of the various currently en-vogue looks.

Also, by using your GS, you'll risk not riding it for a long time, and ending up selling it after becoming frustrated enough.

 

[k.graham]

Hey, Y'all

Just wanted to post a photo so you can see the baseline i'm working with here. I've had quite a few people advise me that i shouldn't modify my GS 550 and instead buy something that is closer to the perceived goal. I also made the unforgivable mistake of using the word "scrambler" when i mentioned that i wanted to modify my bike to more of a "brat/tracker/scrambler". Truthfully i misspoke there. I have no interest in making my bike into anything that resembles a scrambler. The style I like the most would be a brat, I'm not too sure on the specifics of proper handlebars on a brat, but I prefer the feel of a dirtbike style handlebar. That's where the fated "scrambler" word came from

here's a photo of what i'm riding right now...




I originally swapped the stock handlebars out for clubmans, but didn't really like the way it handled at slower speeds... felt a little...floppy? picked up these used bars at a motorcycle salvage shop for $10 and threw them on. I'm very happy with the way they feel and handle!

As you can see in the photo, the seat is ripped up pretty badly. I'm also not a huge fan of the tail end of these bikes.

As for the modification process, i'm not bothered by carb tuning at all... In fact i'm maybe a rare breed in actually liking the trial-and-error process of getting things dialled in. I'm a motorcycle newbie, but i have a decent amount of experience with bringing old snowmobiles back to life and making them run well. Number one culprit on a tempermental old sled is the carbs.

So, with that said, i feel that the tail section can be improved upon quite a bit, and i'm not worried about the trouble it could be to change up the air intake. I've also noticed that there is an annoying rattle coming from my left side exhaust, so potentially changing up the exhaust to a 4-1 may also be in the cards. I know an excellent welder who can fabricate almost anything that i can get to weld up my tail section when the time comes....

Still curious about the looks of the single pod filter into the air plenum if anyone has any photos, it would be much appreciated!

 

[k.graham]

One other thing i meant to mention. I'm located in the middle of the prairies of Alberta, Canada. Winter is long and harsh here, so the number of days that can be spent riding a motorcycle are very limited. 2 winters ago we had a solid 6 months of snow on the ground... that's fine for me if the conditions are good for snowmobiling, but most often, they are not very favourable. That leaves me with nothing to keep my mind occupied and my fingers busy. That was the big motivating factor in buying an old bike to modify. A project that I knew would take some time, with the ultimate payoff of looking forward to riding my project in the summer. I guess what I am saying, is having this thing parked in the shop for 6 months while i'm working on it this winter will only keep me more interested in my motorcycle, not less.

 

[roeme]

Sounds good.

I've also noticed that there is an annoying rattle coming from my left side exhaust, so potentially changing up the exhaust to a 4-1 may also be in the cards.

Have you checked wether the cover located below the footrest has become loose? They tend to.

Re. 4-1, I personally prefer the 4-2 look, make sure to check some photographs beforehand. Also, if you decide to go this route, I call dibs on your presumably stock exhaust.
I'm in search for one, as one of mine has badly rusted (Think golf-ball sized holes).

Re. Brat look, make sure to install a fork brace – on a stock setup, the front fender is stabilizing the fork.

Re. the original topic, I have no real input Maybe consider ditching the plenum alltogether, and installing a single filter that reaches over all four carb intakes. Google has a lot of images.

 

[Guest]

Thanks Mark!

Do you have any photos of your bike when it had the single filter on it? did it look goofy w/ that setup, or did you just change to individual pods because you weren't happy with the performance?

There is no 'look' to this set up, with the side panels on all you see is the front half of the airbox on the carbs. It looks just like stock because the back half of the airbox is hidden behind the side covers. I changed to pods for more performance and because I prefer the look of the pods. You are in luck, I did take a couple of pics of it before the pods went on, with the side panels off you can even see a bit of what the details look like:

One other thing i meant to mention. I'm located in the middle of the prairies of Alberta, Canada.

Wainwright, go figure. I am in Didsbury myself.


Mark

 

[k.graham]

Wainwright, go figure. I am in Didsbury myself.


Mark

Haha! Small world!

Thanks for the photos. That's exactly what I was looking for. You're right, there is no real "look" to this setup. I think I'll probably end up swapping to pods or a single air filter that stretches across all four carbs as Roeme mentioned below.

super helpful! thanks

Have you checked wether the cover located below the footrest has become loose? They tend to.
.

I'll double check that cover... seems like that would definitely be the first thing to come loose, however it did seem like the baffle inside the pipe was rattling against the pipe itself. In any case i'll give it a good investigating when I get the chance.

Regarding the fork brace, Yes i actually have the stock front fender off in the photo there because it got jammed up full of mud the other day and was spitting junk out at me when i got out on the highway. Took it off to clean it up, and also see if I could elongate the mounting holes to give a bit more clearance to my wheel. I have about a mile and a half of gravel road to get to my house, and if it happens to be wet the gravel sticks to my tires and grinds against the fender that only has 1/4" of clearance at best. Ultimately i'll just be using the stock fender, but cutting it down.

Thanks for your input Roeme! i'll let you know if I swap exhausts... mine are in (mostly) good shape... No holes at least

 

[Spyder]