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Archive through October 28, 2004Ingemar30 10-28-04  05:20 am
         

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Reepicheep
Posted on Thursday, October 28, 2004 - 06:37 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Here is my first cut...

Trimmed down airbox, left enough to pin down the tank vent line...

trimmed airbox

Velcro cable ties, from walmart, $3 in the auto parts section near tiedown straps, and an o-ring from a pile of spares.

tiedowns
tiedowndetail

And the final product. I threw one more velcro strap around the center star, which should make it difficult for any of the straps to work loose.
results

Getting ready to ride it to work now, will post if it comes apart...
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Hogs
Posted on Thursday, October 28, 2004 - 06:48 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Reepicheep Seems like alot to go through there pal,.... Would not something , Foam hard dense foam etc. just laying on top of area a little high so when you install outer cover it presses down on the filter top cover and hold it tight Odie ? what do you guys think Instead of either bolting it or tie wrapping it down..?? I can`t see it going anywheres....Just a thought .....
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Black_sunshine
Posted on Thursday, October 28, 2004 - 06:53 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Reep....get rid of that stock filter. No matter how much air you put around the outside you still only get IN what the filter allows to pass through.
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Ingemar
Posted on Thursday, October 28, 2004 - 07:00 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Bill! What have you done?! That's a brand new bike man! Don't you know that voids warranty?

Are you getting a k&n etc some time too?

That was my idea too Hogs (read above). I think the space may be a little roomy for a single piece of foam, not sure though.

But I'm sure the velcro will hold just fine. I guess a matter of preference.
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Ingemar
Posted on Thursday, October 28, 2004 - 07:01 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Ah ... the coin dropped. Using foam will look kinda goofy under a transparant cover .. DUH!
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Hogs
Posted on Thursday, October 28, 2004 - 07:05 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Ingemar sorry buddy yeah should have read above :-) thats what I`m going to cook up some foam there etc. should do the trick ...
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Odie
Posted on Thursday, October 28, 2004 - 07:32 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

With my factory foam and the servo motor the airbox cover will stay put but like I said, I don't know how the sun beating down on it would affect it as far as deforming the outer box. If you get the perfect amount under there I think it will be just fine. Reep's spider looks cool though! Odie
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Hogs
Posted on Thursday, October 28, 2004 - 07:51 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Odie yeah I remember you saying that now Forgive me Guys I`m getting forgetfull in my older years :-) Yeah up here in Canada Don`t think the sun would come into the picture I`ll see if I can`t get a hunk of High Denisty foam to be just a little on the tight side....trim to fit ( Hogs always liked the gals to be on the Tight side.. Theres goes my old mind drifting again ) :-) for the outer cover to just to more or less rest on it ...Old buddy of mine owns a upostery shop must check him out today in town...
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Reepicheep
Posted on Thursday, October 28, 2004 - 08:08 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

The foam is a great solution, I was thinking about it, but as others speculated, I can see mine thru the cover. Its going to get lights before long anyway, so it will be even more obvious then.

The cable ties were no trouble at all. $3.50 at walmart, with o-rings laying in the garage. 5 minutes to hook everything up.

I put the trimmed snorkel back in, and thanks XB9er, that sounds SOOOO much better. No more rattle and clank.

And with the inner airbox removed, I get that wonderful snorting and growling I enjoyed so much with the Cyclone and the Forcewinder. Music to my ears... quiet as can be at cruise settings, a wonderful angry snort when I crack the throttle.

I did it last night, so I have not seen it in daylight yet, but even in the parking lot lighting I could see the air filter through the clear cover, it looked very cool, and will probably look even cooler in daylight.

The velcro straps are "indoor outdoor" use, but we will see how long they handle the airbox environment. They will probably be fine.

Another cool approach might be to get a big bag of o-rings, and loop them together into a chain (remember like you did with rubber bands in grade school?). Make them all the right length, and hook them to a small carabiner in the middle suspended over the airbox. I may try that just for fun, it would look pretty cool as well.

The race filter is suddenly on my shortlist... I was going to wait until my stock filter was dirty, but I am beginning to crack already.
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Hogs
Posted on Thursday, October 28, 2004 - 08:16 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Well I guess when I open the Outer Cover (suryn) and install light metal screens (in cut outs) just too keep out the falling leaves at this time etc. fingers, :-) I should be getting some reallyyy Nice air intake SOundddddddddd Cool can`t wait...
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Black_sunshine
Posted on Thursday, October 28, 2004 - 08:34 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Reep....I like the O-ring idea. You light that sucker up and that would look sick. You'd really get some stares then. Pics please in the daylight. I will be doing the ol' snorklextomy this weekend.
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Xb9er
Posted on Thursday, October 28, 2004 - 10:13 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I put the trimmed snorkel back in, and thanks XB9er, that sounds SOOOO much better. No more rattle and clank.

You're welcome. The snort and growl when you crack the throttle is such a great sound, isn't it?

Reepicheep: You should cut small horizontal slots in the plastic airbox top just above the filter and thread the velcro through them. I think the strap going right to left across the middle should be all you need. Or you could get rid of the middle strap and keep the diagonal ones to form an X.
Mike.
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Ingemar
Posted on Thursday, October 28, 2004 - 03:47 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

My turn!

What I had: Home-made xb12 airbox (Thanx to Robert!). WRONG 'cos I attached the cone from the inside.


Changed that a while back by attaching the cone from the outside. Gives me 6,5mm more space above the velocity stack and 2,5mm more than a stock xb12 lid (compared to the previous setup).


And today I was time for 'Project ODIE':


Yo Hogs, Can you say FOAM?


I forgot to make pictures from it, but I cut the snorkel like xb9er did and put that in there. Thanx again for that man!

Result? You bet! Revs quicker (easier), feels quicker too. I took her to 110mph today. Just opening it up gave me an almost frightening accelleration to the revlimit. It would do someting in the past, but nothing compared to this.

Thanx guys for all the great ideas!
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Odie
Posted on Thursday, October 28, 2004 - 04:05 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Looks good Ingemar! It's amazing what one little mod can do for the way she runs.....enjoy....Odie
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Xb9er
Posted on Friday, October 29, 2004 - 08:32 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

You people are a little too hasty cutting up those air boxes. It seems to me, if you leave a 1" strip of airbox plastic from the top down to the right and left hand fastener clips, you wouldn't need foam or velcro to hold that thing down. Do the same at the four corners and you have a cool looking black spider!

Furthermore, those with the CityX air intake covers, you could get creative and carve out silhouettes in the black airbox cover and add some backlighting to it for cool effects. Send me your airbox cover, I have a Dremel now that I can't wait to use!
Mike.
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Glitch
Posted on Friday, October 29, 2004 - 08:40 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

you could get creative and carve out silhouettes in the black airbox cover and add some backlighting to it for cool effects.
After all it is Halloween!
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Ingemar
Posted on Friday, October 29, 2004 - 09:03 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

xb9er,

I thought of leaving a strip from the cover to the clips at the base plate.

When I looked into it, I figured it wouldn't keep it down since the airbox cover is rounded. The strip would be too weak to hold it down since its basically too long. It doesn't go straight to the clip at the base but is bent, leaving it loose on top of the airfilter.
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Xb9er
Posted on Friday, October 29, 2004 - 09:23 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I thought about that and my solution would be superglue and some plastic ribs cut from excess airbox plastic. Glue the pieces underneath the rounded areas for support. What I'm talking about would look similar to the ribs that you see at the back end of the base plate.

I don't buy into the drilled/cut airbox idea myself, so I'm keeping my XB12 airbox stock. But I do still have the old airbox. I may experiment with cutting it just for the hell of it.
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Odie
Posted on Friday, October 29, 2004 - 09:56 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

.....it makes a world of difference.......
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Ingemar
Posted on Friday, October 29, 2004 - 09:58 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I don't buy into the drilled/cut airbox idea myself

Believe me, it makes a difference.
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Glitch
Posted on Friday, October 29, 2004 - 10:56 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I don't buy into the drilled/cut airbox idea myself
That's OK.
I may experiment with cutting it just for the hell of it.
That's what I did. Haven't gone back to stock either.
That's why we're here, just think of the BaWeB as a bunch of mad engineers that on their own have only limited resourses, but with the power of the internet, we come together and bounce ideas off one another, until one of us tries something, and comes back here and spreads the news.
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Xb9er
Posted on Friday, October 29, 2004 - 01:36 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

The XB12 airbox, K&N Filter and snorkel mod, and rerouting of crankcase breather hoses together made one dramatic difference on my '03 XB9. Will the open intake really make it that much better?
Mike.

(Message edited by xb9er on October 29, 2004)
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Ingemar
Posted on Friday, October 29, 2004 - 01:51 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Look at my latest pics. I basically had what you had but drilled the airbox. Yesterday I completely opened it up and I believe I can really feel the difference, especially higher up the revs.

I went to work today on the bike. In the morning I wanted to cut in front of some oncoming traffic so I whacked it. Well, once you get used to how your bike accellerates, you look at the distance to the car in front of you to succesfully accellerate in your lane and cut in front of oncoming traffic in the fast lane. It happened twice that I had to roll back the throttle to not crash into the car in front of me. It accellerates that much faster.

I would try it. If it does nothing for you, you wasted time. That's all.
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Reepicheep
Posted on Friday, October 29, 2004 - 03:14 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

We are *really* in trouble now. I was at F&S Buell today in Dayton, and was chatting with the techs, and found out three things that mean trouble for my wallet.

1) They have a dyno, brake or eddy, my choice.
2) They know what the hell they are talking about... there were comparing the subtelties and approaches of the Vrod FI with the Buell FI (and incidentally discussing how much better the Buell system is).
3) They do runs for $35.

Now I am *really* in trouble.

As for the 12 airbox stock versus the 12 airbox cut, the difference was significant (even with the stock filter). It revs much faster (no doubt) and has more top end (no doubt, and had an accidental 1st gear pure power wheelie to proove it).

What I don't know, is if it made the midrange hole any bigger, or if it made the "I am giving it too much throttle for the current RPM" problem worse or not. These issues were minor annoyances before, they are minor annoyances now.

I am willing to bet I will have a dyno up here before long, especially at $35 per run.

Top end is now more then adequate for me, now I am on a quest to fill the hole in the middle. My configuration (when I get home and slap the filter on) will be:

05 XB9sx
12 Airbox cover top / nipple only
Race ECM
Race Filter
Pulled Snorkel
Stock Exhaust

So whats the best way to fill the hole in the middle, a Drummer? I would even be willing to give a little top end for it.

Odie, are your pipe mods set up for midrange, or top end?

Anybody try taking a surplus 12 pipe, pinning the valve to one position, and slapping that on a 9? Would that get me a midrange tuned pipe?
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Ingemar
Posted on Friday, October 29, 2004 - 03:33 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Bill,

What makes you decide on the race ecm with that completely open airbox?

Why not get the techlusion tfi instead?
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Reepicheep
Posted on Friday, October 29, 2004 - 03:56 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

My assumption was that the race ECM fuel map would not artificially lean the bike out through the midrange in order to make the EPA rules, but that the stock ECM might. I got the dealer to throw it in "free" with the sale of the bike.

Don't know if that is what really happened or not though. Not sure exactly how the Race unit is different then the stock unit, I have it on a shelf.

The techlusion unit would probably have been better use of my money, but I originally wanted to keep it as close to stock as possible for warranty reasons, just on the odd case I dropped a valve or something.

It's still just a new snorkel and a new xb12 cover away from being returned to bone stock now, and if there were a warranty issue, i would feel much more comfortable defending intake mods and the race ECM as being harmless (as they should be) then trying to defend something like the techlusion or a power commander from being harmless (as it would not be if settings were badly configured).
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Dcmortalcoil
Posted on Friday, October 29, 2004 - 04:21 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Ingemar,

Hope you epoxied those screws. You wouldn't want any of them to drop into the engine.
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Odie
Posted on Friday, October 29, 2004 - 04:32 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Reep, rear end dyno runs so far from everyone (myself included) is nothing seems to be lost and 3500 on up "Hold on"! 3rd gear, slipping the clutch a little, wheelies are do-able.
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Ingemar
Posted on Friday, October 29, 2004 - 04:54 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

DC,

Nah, they'll be grinded to little pieces,burned and spit out!

Nail polish. That's what happens if you got an old fart of an engineering dad walking around!
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Evil_twin
Posted on Friday, October 29, 2004 - 05:03 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I am failing to realize the significance of the "snorkelectomy".

Odie, could you please explain why that is a better alternative than just chucking my snorkel in the vertical file? Or what the advantages are?

Just noise control?

Curious.

Rich
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Reepicheep
Posted on Friday, October 29, 2004 - 05:30 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

It means more air is drawn from the scoop and through the frame passage (read: cold) instead of both the scoop and off the front cylinder heads.

It keeps stuff from rattling around so much as well.

Probably not a big deal either way though.
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Rooster2168
Posted on Friday, October 29, 2004 - 05:35 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Odie's snorkel as well as mine have been completely removed. Thats xb9r I think with the moded snorkel.

Steve
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Odie
Posted on Friday, October 29, 2004 - 06:06 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Evil- I would have to agree with what Reep said. It may quiet it down just a tad more. I'm working on something this winter that will really make it immaterial whether or not the snorkle is in there. I haven't had any prob's at all.....Odie
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Xb9er
Posted on Friday, October 29, 2004 - 06:29 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Evil_twin - those are my advanced snorkelectomy pics.
I did it for two reasons:
1. noise reduction, and
2. seal off the airbox from the hot air within the engine compartment.

The noise reduction is subtle, but noticeable to the rider. A thermal blanket could possibly take care of the #2 reason, but I will keep the partial snorkel on even if I get a thermal blanket.

Mike.
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Evil_twin
Posted on Friday, October 29, 2004 - 08:14 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Okay. I believe I understand now.

Thanx for clarifying.

Rich
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Hogs
Posted on Saturday, October 30, 2004 - 08:25 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Ingemar FOAM thats tooooo funny ....I did cut mine exactly like yours and Odie yesterday and just put like a 4" foam piece ......when put outer cover on it does compress it abit helping to put down pressure on it also just the natural "BEAST" itself sucking in AIR will help somewhat.. and I can tell ya I can notice the difference from the drilled effect .. NExt is to open the outer cover I have a spare and cut the two back sides out install screen of some sort and also to put like a four inch by 2 inch approx: air scoop on top...(side openings are for more air as well also not to allow any tuberlance from the on top scoop) SOUND is Going to believe LOUD... ..Hahah Snokel snokel throw it in da trash or keep it for back to the stealer for warranty claims etc.
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Perry
Posted on Friday, October 14, 2005 - 01:41 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I'm confused on the snorkel mod versus complete snorkel removal argument.

Snorkel mod will improve air flow some, but not as much as also drilling the airbox holes or removing it altogether.

Obviously, once you drill holes or remove the airbox cover you are drawing air from all around inside the outer airbox cover, which will result in some hot air coming in from below around the cylinder heads.

In other words, it seems like keeping part of the snorkel to get a seal is only meaningful if you do NOT drill or cut the airbox.

I said this before, but after I drilled some holes in the airbox (I drilled less than most people - approximately enough to equal the intake size of the hole in the frame where the snorkel goes) my intake airflow area was more than double stock, and there was no noticeable noise difference, but a remarkable power difference.

I am not convinced that totally open airbox offers any additional benefit over the holes. If stock was constricting the intake (which it obviously was) than surely two or three times the capacity of stock is more than enough to overcome that deficiency. Opening it up beyond that seems to just add noise, not really offer much benefit in terms of air intake since the "bottleneck" will no longer be the air flow.
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