MacGyver an air filter ?

[bccap]

My air filter for my 1983 gs 750e is back ordered, which in Canada means a probable long wait. The old one was just powder at the bottom of the air box. I would really like to do some riding. Just wondering if anybody had any suggestions for a substitute. Either adapting another filter or some other idea. The best thing I can think of is a couple of tube socks and a hose clamp.

[Nessism]

I seem to remember the air filter is a piece of filter foam rolled into a tube? Why not pick up some generic filter foam from a motorcycle shop and roll your own? Glue the seam with some sort of adhesive (some research needed on this detail).

[DanTheMan]

Go to an upholstery shop or fabric store. They have the same green foam in different thicknesses. Pick your thickness, buy a little bit, use some contact cement to glue it together, and voila! you have an airfilter.

[bccap]

Thanx Nessism, I did not realize motor cycle shops carried sheets of foam. I will phone around this morning.

[bccap]

Thanx DanTheMan I will try that as well. My only problem is that I never saw the thickness of the original. It was powder in the bottom of the air box. I suspect it will be thinnest they have.

[Steve]

I don't have one for comparison, but I would suspect that it would be between 1/4" and 3/8" thick.

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[bccap]

thanx Steve

does the foam need to be soaked in oil or some other substance ? It shouldn't be in there longer than a month. Also should I consider a K&N filter? Is oil soaking a preservative or does it also effect the air flow ?

[Steve]

Oil-soaked foam does not effect air flow, it actually hinders it.

What you really meant is "does it affect air flow", and yes, it does affect it.

Instructions for some filters say "soak in oil, SQUEEZE out the excess (don't wring it)." The idea is to give some sticky liquid for the dirt to stick to as it goes through the foam.

Have you looked into getting a UNI filter? It's already foam.

A K&N filter would be OK. Some prople feel that they don't filter as well, but in a stock airbox, they don't have the opportunity to ingest all the crud that a filter hanging out in the open would. If you install a K&N insert in your stock airbox, check your jetting. Shouldn't be too far off, but since the bikes started just a bit on the lean side (for emissions), the K&N might require bumping the mains up a size or two, but not the 4 or 5 sizes that would be reqired for pods.

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[Smokinapankake]

I put a Uni filter in my 84 Katana (basically the same bike as yours) a few years ago. Bought the filter oil and did as was instructed, i.e., soaked n squeezed as much oil out as I could. It was a gooey sticky mess and I don't think I'll ever do it again.

Get a foam filter and just put it on. It's a lot easier to add oil than it is to remove it.

[bccap]

Found some foam in the back of a photo album and used it. yesterday was a holiday in Canada so my options were limited. worked out not bad. today I will replace it with some slightly thicker and new foam. has anyone used a k&n filter in a gs750e? I would prefer to change my order to one of these if I don't have to change jets. less maintenance and easier to clean.

[Nessism]

The K&N might lead to a slight lean mixture condition in the midrange. Shimming the needle usually helps in these instances. That said, I'd rather have a stock filter than a K&N.