Narrow Air Cleaner (2019)

Tornado · Oct 25, 2019

Issue is rotating the filter with the grill on it out of the gap. Helps loads if you pull the front plat forward against the rubbers but it is tough to hold it square while man-handling the filter/grill...all with only two hands.

I've been running the oem sized K&N without using the oem grill...this makes it fairly easy to rotate out.

Tornado · Oct 25, 2019

BTW, I found this listing for a stock size UniFilter for all Norton '69-'76 classics

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/Norton-750-...ash=item215f38ab6d:g:1PQAAOSwHD9dLzxR&vxp=mtr

Seems that could maybe be cut down to fit a slim line can. UniFilter also sell just the foam to cut how you like...but it would need an inner grill made up (Chicken-wire perhaps??) to help hold the shape needed.

marshg246 · Oct 25, 2019

cliffa said:
OK, dumb question I know, but being a relatively new Commando owner of only 3 years, may I ask why the narrower air cleaner is wanted anyway?

Cheers,

cliffa.

My first post that started this thread explains why I want it.

marshg246 · Oct 25, 2019

Tornado said:
BTW, I found this listing for a stock size UniFilter for all Norton '69-'76 classics

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/Norton-750-...ash=item215f38ab6d:g:1PQAAOSwHD9dLzxR&vxp=mtr

Seems that could maybe be cut down to fit a slim line can. UniFilter also sell just the foam to cut how you like...but it would need an inner grill made up (Chicken-wire perhaps??) to help hold the shape needed.

Most of the bikes I build, I sell so the closer to origianal the better. Those I keep I want to look original, at least from a short distance.

Tornado · Oct 25, 2019

marshg246 said:
Most of the bikes I build, I sell so the closer to origianal the better. Those I keep I want to look original, at least from a short distance.

Understood but look will be same if fitting a cut down outer grill, no? I think that can be ordered in black? Just thinking it may give you more options other then K&N or the costly to shipp RGM element.

marshg246 · Oct 25, 2019

Tornado said:
Seems a user in the thread Cliffa linked to states that E-2570 worked for him:

When you say it's not flexible how is it made rigid, can it not be forced?

He must be stronger than me! I can get it into an oval shape which buckles the inner and outer metal grates, but I cannot get it into the proper shape for the Norton gauze. Also, the top and bottom rubber is a full inch wide which hits on the bottom mounting bolts and holds it out. I suppose with enough force it could be done, but I'm trying to reduce the effort, not increase it.

marshg246 · Oct 25, 2019

Tornado said:
Understood but look will be same if fitting a cut down outer grill, no? I think that can be ordered in black? Just thinking it may give you more options other then K&N or the costly to shipp RGM element.

Maybe I miss understand. I think those get installed just like you see it in the picture. I'll look again.

marshg246 · Oct 25, 2019

Tornado said:
Any recommendations on how to cut down the steel oem grill for those with limited tooling at hand? A band saw seems best but that ain't gonna be possible for me. I have a spare oem grill that I got when buying the K&N oem filter....guy wanted $75 for just the filter or $50 total for filter & complete HamCan with new rubbers ;-)

I'm going to experiment with a couple of old rusty ones I have. I don't have a band saw and I'm not sure I'm steady enough to use a cutoff wheel to do it these days. I plan to try my stepson's table saw with a metal cutting blade or my tile saw again with a metal cutting blade. Holding it against the fence while rotating around the blade will work - I hope.

Nice OEM-sized ones only cost about $15 delivered to the US as a part of larger orders so it's not a big deal to cut down a few. I certainly will never again pay RGM 49 pounds for one delivered!

Tornado · Oct 25, 2019

marshg246 said:
He must be stronger than me! I can get it into an oval shape which buckles the inner and outer metal grates, but I cannot get it into the proper shape for the Norton gauze. Also, the top and bottom rubber is a full inch wide which hits on the bottom mounting bolts and holds it out. I suppose with enough force it could be done, but I'm trying to reduce the effort, not increase it.

Understood.
I've received a PM from that fellow and he said he needed to trim back a bit of the sealing ring to fit around the two holes where the two carb rubber gaiters protrude into the hamcan but other than that it worked for him.

jeffdavison · Oct 25, 2019

marshg246 said:
He must be stronger than me! I can get it into an oval shape which buckles the inner and outer metal grates, but I cannot get it into the proper shape for the Norton gauze. Also, the top and bottom rubber is a full inch wide which hits on the bottom mounting bolts and holds it out. I suppose with enough force it could be done, but I'm trying to reduce the effort, not increase it.

Did you use THIS filter? It IS as flexible as the K&N that is listed by them for standard fitment. note, the inside of the filter needed just a little of the material trimmed to fit over the bolts and carb boots) https://www.summitracing.com/parts/knn-e-2570

marshg246 · Oct 25, 2019

jeffdavison said:
Did you use THIS filter? It IS as flexible as the K&N that is listed by them for standard fitment. note, the inside of the filter needed just a little of the material trimmed to fit over the bolts and carb boots) https://www.summitracing.com/parts/knn-e-2570

That's interesting. I bought directly from K&N and that part number has an inner and outer metal grid. The filter I have coming from them does not. Also, I have it writing from their tech support that the E-2570 and E-2600 are not very flexible and will not fit the shape. So, now I'm very confused. Maybe they sent the wrong filter. When I look at the picture on the K&N site it looks like the Summit Racing picture, but it certainly doesn't look like what they sent me. The cross reference to Wix which I also bought also has inner and outer metal.

Anyway, the one I have ordered should fit fine, should not need any trimming, costs $7 less, and still has the 10 year/million mile warranty.

batrider · Oct 25, 2019

I don't take the carbs off. It is not that difficult to remove the element (maybe 5 minutes). I use a piece of cardboard to avoid scratching the primary case. This is a must. Undo the 2 bolts, rotate element counterclockwise and squeeze the sides together slightly to pull out under the ignition keyswitch.

rvich · Oct 26, 2019

I have a grill that I cut down but have not put it into use as of yet. I put a cut off wheel on my 4" angle grinder and locked it into a bench vise so that the wheel was near the bench. I then screwed a wood block onto the bench to use as a fence. Then I just slid the grill along the fence until it contacted the wheel and then rotated it into the spinning wheel. It took longer to set up than to cut. It's a lot like using a table saw. It's not OSHA approved, wear safety glasses and leather gloves, and take appropriate precautions. Make sure you have someone hold your beer for you.

Tornado · Oct 26, 2019

rvich said:
I have a grill that I cut down but have not put it into use as of yet. I put a cut off wheel on my 4" angle grinder and locked it into a bench vise so that the wheel was near the bench. I then screwed a wood block onto the bench to use as a fence. Then I just slid the grill along the fence until it contacted the wheel and then rotated it into the spinning wheel. It took longer to set up than to cut. It's a lot like using a table saw. It's not OSHA approved, wear safety glasses and leather gloves, and take appropriate precautions. Make sure you have someone hold your beer for you.

I guess getting the correct depth of the cut is fairly critical as too much removed and the grill would not sit properly between front/back plates with filter holding the plate off the grill. Too little cut off and the grill keeps the plates from making a good seal to the filter edges.

maylar · Oct 27, 2019

marshg246 said:
The "hamcan" air cleaner is difficult to get on and off by yourself. It seems so simple to make one that's thinner, but I haven't been able to find an appropriate filter element. Some time ago, I found that RGM Norton sells one. It's not particularly expensive but like so many things from the UK, it becomes expensive when shipping is added.

Is there a link to RGM's site for this?

kommando · Oct 27, 2019

Try this page

https://www.rgmnorton.co.uk/dept/air-filters-fittings_d01109.htm

marshg246 · Oct 28, 2019

The K&N E-3410 arrived today. It would be perfect, but... It's very flexible, has a thin seal (7/16"), is two inches tall, but not quite big enough around. Guess I should have thought through Pi D! 7.75" diameter is about 1.2" less in circumference than 8.125" diameter.

I spoke with K&N again today . I'm getting pricing on getting their normal Norton Commando filters (NO-0100) made in 2" height.

maylar · Oct 29, 2019

How high is a normal one?

kommando · Oct 29, 2019

maylar said:
How high is a normal one?

Post 23

The height is better than the RGM filer. It is 7.75" diameter (approximately 8.125 is stock and the RGM is 8.25") and 2.063 (52mm) high (approximately 2.9" is stock)

maylar · Oct 29, 2019

kommando said:
Post 23

The height is better than the RGM filer. It is 7.75" diameter (approximately 8.125 is stock and the RGM is 8.25") and 2.063 (52mm) high (approximately 2.9" is stock)

Thanks. So it's an inch thinner than stock. I'm interested to know if it'll clear the CnW starter.

Narrow Air Cleaner (2019)

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