Hitchcocks Forum

I've just ordered one of these from our hosts along with a steel cover to
protect it from rain and all other evils.

All I really want to do, is remove the big square box that carries the present air filter and free up the right hand tool box to other, more useful, purposes.







But.... According to the blurb that goes with the advert picture, "It will enhance the performance..".




If so, I thought, then how will it improve performance? Anyone got any experience of this?

Hi Exile. I did some other mods at the same time (rejet and more open pipe). Best few quid I have spent, the bike ran so much better than stock. One thing I attributed to the new filter was the bike never stalled in traffic again - i just felt the engine could breath properly plus the added benefit of a nice induction noise (I won't call it a roar). I think you are wise to buy the cover, I didn't and I do find in really heavy rain the bike is a bit harder to start.

Hi Rusty.. thanks. That makes sense.

My only worry now is, that the carb will be dangling in the air attached only to the engine by a rubber hose. Did you do anything to support the carb?

hi exile you will have to make a bracket of some kind to support the carb probably off your new cover i have seen this adaption before,i have the same air filter on my highly tuned electra although i did not buy the cover but i have had no trouble with water during heavy rain ,the induction noise is throaty although i have mr h,s downdraft manifold atb paul

Thank you Grunda. My suspicions are confirmed. Off to the drawing board I go. I might even take pictures, once I've got the job done.

Not sure what bike this is on, but if a post '97 500, get one of the Amal made rubber connectors AM/2622/123 (It fits the Mikcarb). The carb won't need a bracket and will not fall off. It will improve performance, but is best used along with a free flow exhaust as what goes into the engine also needs to come out! With the square air box removed, it will look a bit untidy but there is a fibreglass shroud that covers things up nicely.

Mine is a 2007 iron barrel and I did not need to fabricate any support. Been on about 3 years now and no problems at all. Midge is correct, the fibreglass shroud thingy does tidy things up a lot.

I don't know what you're riding Mr Exile but be aware your motor may run much weaker, overheat and possibly suffer damage. Be sure to do plug checks and re-jet your carb as necessary. I had to do considerable changes to the jetting in my machine (and hit the fuel consumption accordingly!)to get her running sweetly. No doubt our hosts will have jetting suggestions/guidelines to hand.

@ midge:


It's a 2005 Bullet 500 classic.


@ Apparently Lucky Eddiebr>

I hadn't considered rejetting, or any other adjustment to the actual carb. Why should that be necessary? After all, the carb isn't demanding more air simply because it's there. Or have I missed something crucial here?

It's not a case of the engine demanding more air, but the engine is capable of taking in more air than the standard filter allows. The carb has therefore been jetted to suit a standard filter. When that is changed for a more free flowing filter which gives less restriction the mixture will be weaker and the jetting will have to be changed to suit that. What I can't understand is that if these new filters are so good, why doesn't the factory fit them as standard? Can't be on cost basis as the savings on air box manufacture and fitting would compensate. There must be some other pay back, engine reliability, economy and longevity perhaps?