Baffled front plate for the ham can air filter

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Whats the story behind the design?
I have a baffled front plate but have not used it and I don't know if it was used just for induction noise?
I was wondering if this was the reason? Its not even listed on the andover site but it is #11 for 73-74
Probably an idea that they tried and it was dropped.
If you have any info that would be educational then lets hear it.
Cheers,
Tom
 
I see it listed in the parts manual as correct for the 750, but not for the 850. I have no idea why. The factory was working hard to reduce the noise on the 850, so reducing induction noise wouldn't make sense if it was listed only for the 750.
 
My August 1974 built Mk11 850 Roadster had the baffled front plate when I bought it in 1978.

So I can't say for certain it was there from new but pretty likely.

I thought it was part of the quietening exercise along with the second gear change.
 
Whats the story behind the design?
I have a baffled front plate but have not used it and I don't know if it was used just for induction noise?
I was wondering if this was the reason? Its not even listed on the andover site but it is #11 for 73-74
Probably an idea that they tried and it was dropped.
If you have any info that would be educational then lets hear it.

Previous thread:
 
I see it listed in the parts manual as correct for the 750, but not for the 850. I have no idea why. The factory was working hard to reduce the noise on the 850, so reducing induction noise wouldn't make sense if it was listed only for the 750.
I love the moan that comes from my ham can when I open the throttle.
 
Right. It was needed to meet the noise regs in some European countries in '73/74 for the 750. The 850 squeaked through without one (the altered second gear in the gearbox helped the 850s) but some Euro dealers wanted them.
The NAS (North American Spec) models were not supposed to get them but I'm sure that some had them fitted by happenstance at the factory.
The actual fitting of them was a rag-tag mixture of what was on which model. It was superceded by the plastic air boxes for the tightly controlled sound level countries.
 
At the Norton shop I worked at we encountered these front plates occasionally, so some slipped through, probably via Canada given our proximity in Seattle. There were several in the shop's basement, having been removed from bikes in service. As you might expect, it was almost impossible to change the filter element, causing many bad words from the shop area. I no longer remember how I did them but I do remember physical pain and scratched hands. The regular ones were no picnic either.
 
At the Norton shop I worked at we encountered these front plates occasionally, so some slipped through, probably via Canada given our proximity in Seattle. There were several in the shop's basement, having been removed from bikes in service. As you might expect, it was almost impossible to change the filter element, causing many bad words from the shop area. I no longer remember how I did them but I do remember physical pain and scratched hands. The regular ones were no picnic either.
I would guess the carbs and intake manifolds need to be removed, filter and front cover installed then replace the carbs. What a pain just to change the air filter. However sounds easier than tightening loose horn mounting bolts.
 
Silver lining: how often do most of us change the filter?
 
Silver lining: how often do most of us change the filter?
That was my thought when I put the Ham Can in my MKIII. But when bikes come in for service and the W.O. says "change oil and all filters, clean clutch"... Well what's a body to do? Sometimes I'd get three of them in a week. When the economy picked up I got a better job, twiddling bits. But I learned a lot about wrenching on Nortons, Matchless and Airhead BMWs.
 
Seems I have need to R&R the hamcan multiple times per last few seasons when needing to perform carb work, dialing in, repeating etc etc. If it had been the baffled cover, likely would have binned it by now.
 
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