S/E air cleaner : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

vindex1963 · 08-17-2009, 10:47 PM

I just installed a S/E air cleaner and the filter doesn't look like paper at all. It looks like fiberglass wedged between screens. Am I seeing things? I keep hearing they are paper and fall apart. I don't see how.

frankysfree · 08-17-2009, 10:48 PM

they are a gauze mesh.

vindex1963 · 08-18-2009, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frankysfree

they are a gauze mesh.

Was there a paper or foam one at some time? Gauze mesh is like K&N. I've read posts here where the H/D filters fall apart.

frankysfree · 08-18-2009, 02:50 AM

i run a SE open backing plate aircleaner assembly on my dyna. it was used when i put it on there, and although i would rather use the K+N i couldnt pass up on the price, free. its been on for about 8 months and i havent noticed any disentagrating of the filter, and although ive been told you cant clean them like a K+N i use the cleaner and oil for mine with no problems

frankysfree · 08-18-2009, 02:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vindex1963

Was there a paper or foam one at some time? Gauze mesh is like K&N. I've read posts here where the H/D filters fall apart.

the stock air filters are paper and i dont think they have ever used a foam airfilter from H-D or SE. please correct me if im wrong and im sure somebody will if i am, but if they ever did it would have been way back before my time.

tpierce67 · 08-20-2009, 07:45 PM

There was a rumor that the SE A/C filter elements were defective a couple years ago.... I've used them on 2 bikes and never had a problem. I know that HD revised the product for 07 + but that's all I know.
I haven't seen a current AC filter but what I used on my 06 and 07 were paper like and not anything like the K&N gauze materiel.
I wouldn't hesitate to buy one for my 09 RK.......which I will probably do in the very near future.

vindex1963 · 08-20-2009, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tpierce67

There was a rumor that the SE A/C filter elements were defective a couple years ago.... I've used them on 2 bikes and never had a problem. I know that HD revised the product for 07 + but that's all I know.
I haven't seen a current AC filter but what I used on my 06 and 07 were paper like and not anything like the K&N gauze materiel.
I wouldn't hesitate to buy one for my 09 RK.......which I will probably do in the very near future.

They are gauze material in between screens.

Electra Geezer · 08-20-2009, 11:54 PM

Why not buy a K&N replacement filter that is the same as the stock paper H-D? It will flow more air than stock and possibly more than the SE unit.

vindex1963 · 08-21-2009, 12:54 AM

I had the stock replacement K&N but got a good deal on the S/E. I have the stock replacement in the for sale section.

rmc115 · 08-21-2009, 11:20 AM

The ones that had blue rubber would get holes in them after some miles. mike

vindex1963 · 08-21-2009, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmc115

The ones that had blue rubber would get holes in them after some miles. mike

Cool that's not mine.

albreave · 08-21-2009, 01:18 PM

Is it just the filter element itself? If it is the entire cover + filter, they're normally always the reusable/washable (non-paper) type.

That being said, it's going to flow more than your old paper POS Harley grants us with. I've followed your story and I know it gets hot out there. You may lean out your mixture even more now. Might need to add on some fuel management.