Air Box

[vetch]

My project bike ('80 KZ750E) is missing the air box and the hoses that connect it to the carbs. I know I can probley find a box on ebay but would it be cheaper to convert it over to four seperate filters? Or is that even possible? On this bike my main goal is to fix it up as economicaly as possible keeping it all orignal isn't a goal.

Sgt Vetch

[tnhunter]

You can find a product called a windsock. It is a filter that goes directly on the carburator. Yes you will need one for each carb. Lots of people remove the air box and replace the stock filter with these to increas performance.

[Jeff.saunders]

Individual filters make it much easier to work on the carbs. Stock airboxes usually have stiff old rubber hoses connecting them to the carbs making it very difficult to remove them.

Individual filters vary in quality from cheap disposable filters from Emgo (about $30 a set of 4), to very expensive reusable filters from K&N ($150 for the 4). The K&N filters are much better performing and they are reusable - so cost isn't so bad in the long-haul.

Individual filters are exposed to the elements - this means in rain they can get wet and in extreme situations cause the bike to stop running. Air quality with these individual filters varies significantly at different speeds and especially in windy conditions. Due to the turbulence around the rear of the engine, it is difficult to set them perfectly for all speeds. Add windy conditions with strong side winds and you would notice the bike run erratically as the amount of air each carb sucks in varies.

We sell all the different options (Emgo filters, K&N filters, replacement stock filters, airbox hoses, etc), but would usually recommend a stock airbox for good, consistent quality air.

[KLACKO]

Originally Posted by vetch

My project bike ('80 KZ750E) is missing the air box and the hoses that connect it to the carbs. I know I can probley find a box on ebay but would it be cheaper to convert it over to four seperate filters? Or is that even possible? On this bike my main goal is to fix it up as economicaly as possible keeping it all orignal isn't a goal.

Sgt Vetch

Individual filters, commonly called pods, are certainly cheaper and easier, but many have found that they can cause ridability problems. Jeff mentioned the troubles caused by the elements. There are tuning issues to deal with as well. You will almost certainly need to make adjustments. Your bike has Kehein CV carbs, so about the only tuning adjustments you can make will be swapping jet sizes. You can't adjust the needle position like on Mikuni's. It can be done, but it might mean a period of trial and error to get it right. The airbox provides the carbs with a constant supply of undisturbed air, and is more effective
in supplying airflow for the varying loads your engine will see on the street. Look at the intake systems on racing bikes, and you'll see that they run the largest airboxes that they can practically fit. Large airbox volumes improve performance. Even ram-air systems feed the airbox, in essence, making the air chamber hold more still air.
They are still a big PITA to deal with, no lie...

[stan1951]

Originally Posted by vetch

My project bike ('80 KZ750E) is missing the air box and the hoses that connect it to the carbs. I know I can probley find a box on ebay but would it be cheaper to convert it over to four seperate filters? Or is that even possible? On this bike my main goal is to fix it up as economicaly as possible keeping it all orignal isn't a goal.

Sgt Vetch

would be easier to put 4 filters on.I have an air box but am missing a couple of the hoses.It is a hard job to put the box and hoses back on