What Is the Function of the Motorcycle Air Filter?

In this article, we discuss the importance of keeping the motorcycle or bike air filter clean and how to maintain and replace it. The function of motorcycle air filter is mainly to filter the dust in the air, to avoid clogging which will lead to the decline of fuel economy, power loss and idle speed instability.

Types of Motorcycle Air Filters

There are generally two types of air filters for motorcycles: paper dry type and sponge foam wet type. When cleaning the paper dry type, you can gently knock on the ground first to shake off most of the dust. If there is an air pump, you can blow from the inside out to blow off the dust. If the filter paper has penetrated dust or the filter paper is wetted with oil, water, etc., it should be replaced with a new one.

If it is a foam sponge wet filter element, you can wash the stains with water + non-combustible detergent (do not use gasoline, etc.), then dry it and apply a little bit of clean engine oil on the air intake side. Cleaning with gasoline or the like will cause the filter element to swell and affect the filtering effect.

After cleaning the air filter for dirt bike or motorcycle air filter, the filter element can be sprayed evenly with a little oil, which can increase the degree of filtration and make the parts where the gas reaches the lubrication (especially the carburetor plunger).

You can clean the sponge or foam-type air filter with soap or other solvents. This ensures that most grease and debris are removed. The pleated paper air filter can be used twice to remove dirt and dust. For pleated cotton air filters, please use some kind of solvent to decompose dirt.

The Role of Air Filter

The air filter filters the moisture, dust and fine particles in the air entering the carburetor and the cylinder to reduce the wear of the moving parts in the cylinder.

If the air filter is not cleaned for a long time, the car can still start driving. On the surface, it does not affect the performance of the car, but the dust and impurities adsorbed by the filter element are too much. The air volume causes a decrease in power and an increase in fuel consumption. Some small impurities will be forced into the engine to accelerate the wear of the moving parts in the cylinder and shorten the life of the body.

If it is found that the filter hole of the filter element becomes larger, the same type of filter element must be replaced as soon as possible, otherwise it will reduce the filtration degree and accelerate the wear of the mechanical parts. If possible, it is better to replace the air filter.

Maintenance and Replacement of Air Filter

Motorcycle's air filter is to protect the engine to maintain a good running effect.

The working condition of the air filter and when it needs maintenance or replacement can be identified according to the following methods.

In actual work, when the filter element of the air cleaner is blocked by suspended particulates and cannot meet the air flow required for the operation of the motorcycle engine, the engine working state will be abnormal. Abnormal phenomena include muffled roar, slow acceleration, weak work, relatively high water temperature, and thicker exhaust smoke when accelerating.

When these symptoms appear, it can be judged that the air filter is clogged, and the air filter element should be removed in time for maintenance or replacement. When maintaining the air filter element, pay attention to the changes in the inner and outer surface color of the filter element.

After the dust is removed, if the outer surface of the filter paper is clear and the inner surface is bright, the filter element can continue to be used. If the outer surface of the filter paper has lost its natural color or the inner surface is dark, it must be replaced.