Swapped Air box for Uni filter - Hawk 250

[Bill1]

Originally I had clearance problems with my aftermarket exhaust and airbox, so I ordered a Uni filter and pulled the airbox out. Here's my experience so far:

When I had the exhaust in the correct position, it pressed on the airbox and even with heat wrap, it melted the bottom corner of the airbox. With the exhaust pushed down to avoid the airbox, the muffler rubbed the outside tire knobs when the rear spring was compressed.

- I ordered a Uni Filter (https://www.amazon.com/Uni-2-Stage-A.../dp/B000WJIX6W) which is slightly too big at the coupling, but still works.

- The airbox was tough to wiggle out of place and by removing it, I lost the rear inner fender well, which gives protection to the turn signal beeper, the CDI, the back side of the battery and the underside of the seat. If I keep this setup, I will have to fab up a new inner fender well or riding in the rain, water or mud might be a problem.

- The new filter doesn't fit behind the plastic panel. My filter has a 15 degree offset and still is compressed by the plastic panel.

- The intake noise is MUCH louder than before and almost drowns out the exhaust (at least from the seat).

- After the swap, it was running lean at WOT and I swapped out the 115 main in the Mikuni for a 120.

- I accomplished my goal because the exhaust is up higher where it should be. However, it opened up some other things to put on the to-do list. It runs well and I'll try it for a while before I decide to keep going with this or mod the old airbox to add clearance for the exhaust.

[2LZ]

Looks great!
You need the "trash can mod". Solves the problems.
Did you start solenoid hang on the left side of the air box too?

[Megadan]

I am going to try and experiment with exhaust wrap and reflective gold heat shield on my hawks air box when I assemble it to see if the combination of the two prevents it melting. I bought a 2"x15ft roll and a 2ftx2ft sheet of it. I will definitely post on my success or failure with it.

If that fails I may look into a custom intake pipe to a large uni foam filter where the air box sits, and do some sort of inner fender like above, but try to seal it off. I want to shield the filter as best as I can if I go that route, but I would rather have an air box.

[Bill1]

Originally Posted by 2LZ

Looks great!
You need the "trash can mod". Solves the problems.
Did you start solenoid hang on the left side of the air box too?

I like the fender, a simple and effective fix. I might see what I have lying around.

Yes, my solenoid was on the air box. For now, I zip-tied it to the frame.

[dpl096]

Looks good Bill....add in 2LZs trash can mod and you've got it licked

[2LZ]

Originally Posted by Bill1

I like the fender, a simple and effective fix. I might see what I have lying around.

Yes, my solenoid was on the air box. For now, I zip-tied it to the frame.

I works great and it's a good type of plastic for this. Flexible yet rugged.
The trash can didn't fare so well though. I got this one for about 5.00 at Lowes.

[Weldangrind]

I switched to this pod filter a few years ago, and it has been terrific: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Angled-Foam-...5Y8X3s&vxp=mtr

[Bill1]

Originally Posted by 2LZ

I works great and it's a good type of plastic for this. Flexible yet rugged.
The trash can didn't fare so well though. I got this one for about 5.00 at Lowes.

I picked one up from Lowe's yesterday. I wasn't sure if I should get the one you posted or the tall one, so I spent the extra $3 and bought the tall one. I guess I'll have enough plastic leftover for a wind deflector.

Thanks for the tip. Hope to work on it next week.

[Bill1]

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

I switched to this pod filter a few years ago, and it has been terrific: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Angled-Foam-...5Y8X3s&vxp=mtr

That looks like it would work better than the one I got - more angle to keep it tucked in a little more. Mine was also 44mm and I think 42mm is correct.

[Azhule]

What Foam Filter Oil did you use on your new UNI filter?

[Weldangrind]

I use Maxima Fab1. It sprays on blue, so it's easy to see and it sticks like cobwebs.

[ricardoguitars]

I have a question about the pod filter mod, how doest it perform on rain? is it possible that water gets inside the carb? I'm asking this because here in Costa Rica rain gets wild, should I keep the stock box or is it ok to go with the pod filter?

Cheers.

[Rangerscott]

I'd stick with the stock airbox for bad weather and mud.