HEY SPIKE BOYS!!!

4193 Views 32 Replies 18 Participants Last post by Low and Mean, Sep 16, 2009

Stonewheel

Discussion Starter · Sep 14, 2009

Alright, a bunch of you now have the 90 degree forcewinder-type air cleaners on your bikes now; could any (or all

of you update me on the stability of the unit mounted on the bike? I know this has been touched on in a couple other threads but I'd like to get a consensus here, if possible.

I have the S&S air cleaner, as I've stated in a couple previous posts, and I love the looks and quality of the S&S unit; it's the 3rd one I've had on three different bikes. But I'm very dissatisfied with the left-to-right, or back-to-front stability of the unit. Mine moves a good quarter inch at least, if not a little more with even a modest pressure on either the back (left end) or front (right) end of the cover.

I went into it today hoping maybe the clamp holding the rubber boot around the throttle body was a little loose; hoping I could tighten up the clamp and stabilize the unit - no such luck. The rubber boot and clamp were snug and tight on the throttle body; the backplate of the aircleaner itself just moves around the rubber boot - and except for the powdercoat bracket going from the backplate to the engine mount that's all that's holding it to the bike.

Gonna talk to S&S tech support tomorrow and see if they have *any* possible fixes they can suggest but I'm not optimistic.

So if I can't get a fix; I'll just bite the bullet and look at the spikes - IF - they're stable. Hate to wind up goin' back to that fugly freakin' OEM aircleaner - any info from any of you guys with spikes would be very appreciated ... thx in advance ...

P.S. Is L&M's adaptor just for looks to cover the stuff in the space or does it BOLT firmly somewhere?

Anyone know if Accutronix' pending cover is just to cover stuff or will it bolt firmly?

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1 - 20 of 33 Posts

BluFury

· #2 · Sep 14, 2009

L&M's Does mount securly @ the lower original mount . Looks great to .

J.A.T.O.

· #3 · Sep 14, 2009

Stonewheel said:
the backplate of the aircleaner itself just moves around the rubber boot -

Sorry not a spike owner yet but i had a thought. Im trying to visualize whats going on. If it's just a matter of the backplate not staying secure to the rubber boot, could some type of adhesive help?

I'm guessing S&S is gonna say either that's normal or send it back for another unit that does the same thing.

BluFury

· #4 · Sep 14, 2009

BluFury said:
L&M's Does mount securly @ the lower original mount . Looks great to .

Here's a pic without the filter .

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JHL128

· #5 · Sep 14, 2009

L&M's adapter works pretty well for the way it's set up. it is mounted in two places, it's clamped to the rubber intake boot, and there is also a screw at the bottom tip of the adapter. Everything above the intake is just there to cover all the wires and breather tubes, there are no mounting points up there. With the intake on, if you grab the spike and move it side to side, there is a bit of play, maybe a quarter inch or so to each side. The weight of the intake sticking out front limit the forces to pushing it up and down, not side to side. It's very stable moving up and down. I've kept an eye on it while riding for a while, and haven't noticed any significant movements at all. Even going over large bumbs that lift me off the seat, the intake remains quite steady. I'm a little concerned about the longevity aspect due to the fact that the adapter is made of fiberglass. I'd rather see it in billet aluminum, but only time will show how well it does. Hope this answers your questions, about the L&M adapter anyway. I haven't had any experience yet with the Accutronix adapter, so I will have to leave that description to someone else. Good luck, and I hope you find what you are looking for.

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TX Fury

· #6 · Sep 14, 2009

No issues with my S&S

Maybe you do just need another because mine does not move.

chopped

· #7 · Sep 14, 2009

The Accutronix adaptor top plate will secure the intake to the bike. Don't have the top plate yet, but do have a spike and the adaptor on the bike. It does move a bit over big bumps, but not that badly. With the top plate, it should be secured really well.

Accutronix Billet

· #8 · Sep 14, 2009

I have the S&S air cleaner, as I've stated in a couple previous posts, and I love the looks and quality of the S&S unit; it's the 3rd one I've had on three different bikes. But I'm very dissatisfied with the left-to-right, or back-to-front stability of the unit. Mine moves a good quarter inch at least, if not a little more with even a modest pressure on either the back (left end) or front (right) end of the cover.

The rubber boot and clamp were snug and tight on the throttle body; the backplate of the aircleaner itself just moves around the rubber boot –

Why do you feel this movement is a problem?

This is how the unit was designed by Honda. If they wanted it solid it would not have been rubber mounted. The throttle body is rubber mounted to the engine. The air cleaner is rubber mounted to the throttle body. All of this rubber allows the air cleaner & throttle body to move slightly.

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Stonewheel

Discussion Starter · #9 · Sep 14, 2009

Accutronix Billet said:
Why do you feel this movement is a problem?

This is how the unit was designed by Honda. If they wanted it solid it would not have been rubber mounted. The throttle body is rubber mounted to the engine. The air cleaner is rubber mounted to the throttle body. All of this rubber allows the air cleaner & throttle body to move slightly.

I have just under 1/4" clearance between the trailing edge of the backplate and the front of the rear spark plug cover; about 1/16" between the front of the throttle body cover and the back of the front cover - while the unit has not moved enough to contact either cover, it's so close, and the degree of movement possible could definitely make it happen. Granted they're plastic covers and fairly cheap to replace, but who wants to do that?

Also, the very back left corner of the throttle body cover is in contact, slightly, with that big fat hose back there under the tank; not sure what hose that is or what it carrys. There is very light surface scoring on the hose.

All these things together make me uncomfortable with the placement/movement of the aircleaner. Still waiting to hear back from S&S on the situation.

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Marklar63

· #10 · Sep 14, 2009

I have a question as well, If you replace the intake and not the exhaust do you need to add a fuel management system?

chopped

· #11 · Sep 14, 2009

Marklar63 said:
I have a question as well, If you replace the intake and not the exhaust do you need to add a fuel management system?

From what I've heard, you do not need to add a fuel controller. These are the findings from S&S.

springmaker

· #12 · Sep 15, 2009

I have the S&S air box as well, and I don't think the flex is an issue either.
I would have to hit mine pretty hard to make it contact the spark plug cover. I like the overall quality, and look of the S&S unit.
I did not add a fuel controller and I have had no issues. I did order the Cobra swepts, because the sound of air being sucked in is almost as loud as the stock pipes, and I will put a controller on it then.

furycustom303

· #13 · Sep 15, 2009 (Edited)

i will put on whatever the dealer thinks will produce the best ride possible....will have pics next week...can't wait

GO BRONCOS!!!!!!!!!!

Marklar63

· #14 · Sep 15, 2009

chopped said:
From what I've heard, you do not need to add a fuel controller. These are the findings from S&S.

Thanks

BluFury

· #15 · Sep 15, 2009

Up are forward

Just finished intake , Dont no if better up are forward , what do yall think .

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2

Stonewheel

Discussion Starter · #16 · Sep 15, 2009

BluFury said:
Just finished intake , Dont no if better up are forward , what do yall think .

Gotta cast a STRONG vote for forward

Great lookin' bike btw

blackout

· #17 · Sep 15, 2009

well if you decide to get rid of the s&s let me know I would be intrested if the price were right

furycustom303

· #18 · Sep 15, 2009

i gotta say, with it pointed up it looks friggin' sic!!!!!!!!!!! way to think outside the box

Stonewheel

Discussion Starter · #19 · Sep 15, 2009

blackout said:
well if you decide to get rid of the s&s let me know I would be intrested if the price were right

Will do. Gonna try a re-install first though with new boot and clamp; see if it is any tighter around a different boot. I'll pm you if I can't get it to where I want it.

PREDATOR

· #20 · Sep 15, 2009

furycustom303 said:
i will put on whatever the dealer thinks will produce the best ride possible....will have pics next week...can't wait

GO BRONCOS!!!!!!!!!!

Whatever the dealer thinks

I bet you'll find a TON more information on this board then some dealership

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