MikeT
Parking Attendant
N/A
Posts: 9
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posted September 30, 2006 02:49 PM
Extra low down grunt for free!
I ripped the mesh out of the back of the stock air filter yesterday, and took the ZX for a spin up the hills where I live, and the difference is very noticable. The bike has lost it's flat spot and has smoother power delivery right through the range, and more power below 4000 RPM.
The mesh restricts the air intake by about 50%, and is used to support the paper element, and protect it from backfires. K&N filters don't use mesh, at least on the ones I've used. The element is sturdy enough and doesn't need the mesh, and hell, if the engine backfires (generally happens when it's hot, damn hot, and the fuel vapourises in the throttle bodies, or if you flood it) then it'll blow all the dust out and give it a free clean.
The induction noise is increased a bit, and the exhaust note has changed slightly, and best of all, it spins up without any throttle delay.
Pull the filter out and look at the mesh. Hold it up to the light and you'll see how much of a restriction it is. Rip it of gently with a pair of long nose pliers. I used my Gerber.
Mike T- Melbourne Australia.
    
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iflyphi
Zone Head
Posts: 542
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posted September 30, 2006 03:13 PM
Does it look something like this before:
And like this after:
??
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D
Needs a job
Posts: 3365
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posted September 30, 2006 03:56 PM
Old 12R mod - works though.
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TeamSpeed
Expert Class
Posts: 449
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posted September 30, 2006 04:51 PM
As a safety precaution, drill a couple small holes on the frame opposite each other, and take fine gardening wire and string it back and forth a couple times, then twist together. It will give a backbone to the element.
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zx14_1965
Zone Head
Posts: 505
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posted September 30, 2006 05:16 PM
Don't think this is something new. I've seen others posting the same info.
Good info though for those that may have missed it. 
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MikeT
Parking Attendant
N/A
Posts: 9
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posted September 30, 2006 06:39 PM
Agreed, this is not new, I have done it before, but I've had the bike 4 months and I had just forgotten I guess. We were working on my Son's SV650S and pulled the filter gauze out to great effect, the bike was running rich and felt stifled before, now it's got 20% plus more power and it's off like a robber's dog! On my second beer, the bleeding obvious hits me and I do it to the ZX.
Not such a marked difference on the ZX over the SV, but definitely a big improvement.
I'm going for a blast right now, can't seem to leave that bike alone for long, any excuse to ride!
Mike T- Melbourne Australia
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blown32
Parking Attendant
Posts: 8
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posted September 30, 2006 07:23 PM
Thanks for the info, I will do it in the morning. Wife an I have a 250 - 300 mile ride planned tomorrow.
BTW Today I installed bar risers, modded and installed a set of Buell pegs, removed the reflectors, and made & installed my own "mud flap" replacememt (plate holder)
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MikeT
Parking Attendant
N/A
Posts: 9
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posted September 30, 2006 08:44 PM
Hey Blown32, might make a difference to the fuel economy too, I just came back from a shopping run and had to clean up a few tourists coming up the mountain to my place. Definitely more power, and just nicer to ride, spooling up quicker and much smoother.
Have a good ride tomorrow.
Mike T
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jimmiedice
Expert Class
Posts: 105
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posted September 30, 2006 10:34 PM
Good tip.
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INTIMIDA2OR
Needs a life
RED rider!
Posts: 13081
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posted September 30, 2006 10:44 PM
Nice !
But if i'm a gonna remove a stock part , it'll be to replace that stock part with a totally bitchin' aftermarket piece 
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'06 Passion Red ZX-14
*Lee*
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Flame On
Needs a life
Fuel Air & Spark
Posts: 17104
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posted September 30, 2006 10:45 PM
Still waiting for the K&N to hit the market . I will do the same just wonder if the paper will give in a rain ride.
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77 RD 400
80 GS1000 GT
06 ZX14
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zx14_1965
Zone Head
Posts: 505
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posted October 01, 2006 02:53 AM
quote:
Nice !
But if i'm a gonna remove a stock part , it'll be to replace that stock part with a totally bitchin' aftermarket piece
This mod will keep you from having to wait a year.
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blown32
Parking Attendant
Posts: 8
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posted October 01, 2006 07:15 PM
Great ride today! 274 miles in the Wyoming & Colorado rockies. Aspens changing and great roads. Don't know if its due to break-in (1500 miles in two weeks) or removing the filter screen but best MPG yet, just over 47 MPG. Some slow stuff, all two up, some interstate, a couple of passes in excess of 130 (on a closed corse with a professional rider:-))
Now if I can just decide on a pipe?
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stevewfl
Moderator
Posts: 27920
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posted October 01, 2006 07:43 PM
quote:
Now if I can just decide on a pipe?
I sure like my Brock's and the service I got. A part was missing from my order, and it was shipped out timely and Brock personally replied to an e-mail from me.
So for me was easy to decide where to get it...but which pipe (such as Gen3 carbon or other flavor, or smeg, etc) was tough!
http://www.brocksperformance.com/
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2010 Concours14
'08 R1 YAMAHA
ZX14 gone!
CBR600RR track bike
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MikeT
Parking Attendant
N/A
Posts: 9
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posted October 01, 2006 10:05 PM
I took the day off today (Monday) and went for a blast over what we call the Black Spur, the tail end of the Great Dividing Range which tracks down the East coast of Australia from North Queensland all the way down to Victoria (where I am) Very winding road, up and down, and what a blast. No more chicken stripes down the sides of the tyres! Came back through a place called Warburton, had to do 14 kilometers of gravel road, which was a bitch, and nearly got cleaned up by a log truck coming the other way and taking up all the road, which was a bitch too, but loved it. Clocked 180 k's, which is about 110 miles, back in time for lunch.
Monday mornings- no police, no tourists, not much traffic, loved it.
Need to wash the bugs off the front, and the dust off the wheels from the dirt road though.
The filter mesh was restricting the bike more than I thought, it's easier to ride now because of the smooth and more even response.
Mike T Melbourne Australia
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INTIMIDA2OR
Needs a life
RED rider!
Posts: 13081
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posted October 01, 2006 10:53 PM
quote:
This mod will keep you from having to wait a year.
Good things to those who wait 
____________
'06 Passion Red ZX-14
*Lee*
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