Ham can v.s. K&N

MexicoMike · Jan 2, 2020

Triton Thrasher said:
For the slightly off-topic reason that it won’t fit a Dominator or a Triton.

Well, that's a good reason!!

maylar · Jan 2, 2020

MexicoMike said:
Well... my question would be: If you are using Amal Concentrics, based on Jim's air filter flow tests, why use anything but the Ham can?

Because it won't fit when you install a CnW electric start. That was my motivation for posting this thread.

MexicoMike · Jan 2, 2020

That was the reason I selected the Alton E-start - the fact that the Ham Can could remain. OH...also, the CNW starter didn't exist at the time (2012)!

But if I was installing an E-start today, I'd still select the Alton for the same reason. NOTE, that is the ONLY reason - I have had nothing but SUPERB experiences/support/satisfaction from CNW/their products!

ILLF8ED · Jan 2, 2020

Triton Thrasher said:
For the slightly off-topic reason that it won’t fit a Dominator or a Triton.

Stay on subject, this is the Commando section

jseng1 · Jan 2, 2020

Concours - I don't have a good reason for not oiling the K&Ns other than its restrictive, messy and a hassle. The only time I use K&Ns is for the CRS Keihin carbs and the Keihins work so well that I don't worry too much about perfect filtering. And this answers Mexico mikes question - After using Keihins and PWKs I will never go back to Amals again - so the Ham can is not an option for me - especially since I ride an Atlas. I use the unifilters because they fit my modified oil tank and they are easy to clean and oil. A paper cleaner would be fine if they were available for Keihins, PWKs, Del Ortos, Mikunis etc.

kommando · Jan 2, 2020

I took my Black box Commando foam filter element out to find a steel grid and all the foam in the bottom of the box a few years ago. So I bought some sheets of Ramair foam and glued them to a new stainless gauze grid, no issues since and the foam is not deteriorating in any way. It gets oiled as the Black box is fed excess oil laden air from the oil tank.

Triton Thrasher · Jan 2, 2020

illf8ed said:
Stay on subject

Let’s all do that.

worntorn · Jan 2, 2020

What is the weight of the complete Ham can with filter?

Glen

jimbo · Jan 3, 2020

kommando said:
I took my Black box Commando foam filter element out to find a steel grid and all the foam in the bottom of the box a few years ago. So I bought some sheets of Ramair foam and glued them to a new stainless gauze grid, no issues since and the foam is not deteriorating in any way. It gets oiled as the Black box is fed excess oil laden air from the oil tank.

do you get excess oil and smoking from the late model OEM plastic air box and breather hose routing?

kommando · Jan 3, 2020

jimbo said:
do you get excess oil and smoking from the late model OEM plastic air box and breather hose routing?

No, its purely the oil left in the breathed out air after its entry into the oil tank and then the length of pipe into the black box. Last time my bike smoked was back in the 80's under acceleration, a hone and new rings cured that. The oil that does get breathed out just keeps the filter foam moist.

worntorn · Jan 3, 2020

If the oil tank level is kept down just about halfway between the high and low lines on the dip stick, all is dry and happy with my MK3.
If the oil tank level is kept at the high line by steadily topping, the bike constantly skims oil off making a mess of itself. In addition the air filter quickly gets over-loaded with oil and then the bike runs poorly at low speed.

Leave oil a bit low on the stick and oil consumption drops to almost nothing, no oil added between changes (2000 miles)

Glen

jimbo · Jan 3, 2020

worntorn said:
If the oil tank level is kept down just about halfway between the high and low lines on the dip stick, all is dry and happy with my MK3.
If the oil tank level is kept at the high line by steadily topping, the bike constantly skims oil off making a mess of itself. In addition the air filter quickly gets over-loaded with oil and then the bike runs poorly at low speed.

Leave oil a bit low on the stick and oil consumption drops to almost nothing, no oil added between changes (2000 miles)

Glen

interesting.....

baz · Jan 3, 2020

Triton Thrasher said:
If K&N fall down on actual filtering effectiveness, then I wonder if this is an answer.
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/272344938650

I have never seen these before
I wonder if they would fit and work on a commando fitted with bell mouths?
Has anyone on here tried?

Fast Eddie · Jan 3, 2020

baz said:
I have never seen these before
I wonder if they would fit and work on a commando fitted with bell mouths?
Has anyone on here tried?

I used a similar Pipercross filter on mine with FCR carbs and it worked well. The centres are at 90mm for DCOEs but being foam there’s plenty of give.

I’m trying this one next:

https://www.ramair-filters.co.uk/shop/motocross/sock-filters-motocross/2-x-twin-inlet-carb-socks-7/

baz · Jan 3, 2020

Fast Eddie said:
I used a similar Pipercross filter on mine with FCR carbs and it worked well. The centres are at 90mm for DCOEs but being foam there’s plenty of give.

I’m trying this one next:

https://www.ramair-filters.co.uk/shop/motocross/sock-filters-motocross/2-x-twin-inlet-carb-socks-7/

I have used ramair individual pods before with very good results
I have a o pair of long Amal velocity stacks on the shelf I'd love to use them rather than the single k&n that I have at the moment but I'm concerned these days about engine wear!
The fact that this engine does not smoke or use hardly any oil I'd like to keep it that way
Fitting an air filter is yet another thing that I do now that I wouldn't have dreamt of year's ago!!!
One of my bikes even has a center stand fitted!

Fast Eddie · Jan 4, 2020

Strewth baz... you’ll be fitting a sidecar next...

acadian · Jan 4, 2020

Fast Eddie said:
I used a similar Pipercross filter on mine with FCR carbs and it worked well. The centres are at 90mm for DCOEs but being foam there’s plenty of give.

I’m trying this one next:

https://www.ramair-filters.co.uk/shop/motocross/sock-filters-motocross/2-x-twin-inlet-carb-socks-7/

Nice find. I've got a set of velocity stacks for my concentrics that I've yet to try out, wondering now if the individual sock filters they sell might fit and provide appropriate filtration

jbruney · Jan 4, 2020

Wish hacks were popular over here. Sure like watching those insane guys get it on.

Fast Eddie · Jan 4, 2020

acadian said:
Nice find. I've got a set of velocity stacks for my concentrics that I've yet to try out, wondering now if the individual sock filters they sell might fit and provide appropriate filtration

My layman’s logic is thus: only one carb is sucking at a time, so if both carbs are in a bigger dual filter sock, each carb is sucking through a much greater filter area by using the dual filter over the single pods.

Also, if the foam is 15mm thick, I think you’d struggle to fit single socks wouldn’t you? Do you have 30mm between the bell mouth ends?

acadian · Jan 4, 2020

Fast Eddie said:
My layman’s logic is thus: only one carb is sucking at a time, so if both carbs are in a bigger dual filter sock, each carb is sucking through a much greater filter area by using the dual filter over the single pods.

Also, if the foam is 15mm thick, I think you’d struggle to fit single socks wouldn’t you? Do you have 30mm between the bell mouth ends?

Doubt I have 30mm. I think the foam socks without the rubber flanges would squeeze to fit, but your rationale for the dual over the pods seems sound. I've got uni filter pods on them now and the bike runs well... maybe I'm just looking for a solution to another problem I don't have