Open air K&N ?

[Jesus Freak]

My Thunder air kit is on the way. Is riding in the rain going to be a problem?

[ringadingh]

Nope! Ive ridden in many heavy thunderstorms, never a problem.

[cactusjack]

No, rain won't hurt anything unless it's a real deluge. In fact, a little water getting through into the intake is a good thing. It converts to steam in the combustion chamber and will remove carbon deposits on the head and valves.

[Monkeyman]

I hope not as I just added one of Chucksters intakes.

[tazfl]

Originally Posted by Jesus Freak

My Thunder air kit is on the way. Is riding in the rain going to be a problem?

nope, you should be fine. I had a thunder air kit on my vulcan 1500 that i had prior to my nomad. I put about 50,000 miles on that bike with no problems. They do make "rain covers" that slip over the filter . You could get one of those and keep it in your saddlebag just in case you ever get caught in a MAJOR downpour. They're sort of like a fine mesh net that goes over the filter. I just installed a barons big air kit on my nomad and it came with one of the covers.

[Monkeyman]

A cafeteria/kitchen hair net would probably work as well and be loads cheaper but wouldn't last as long. You could probably go into any restaurant and ask for a couple for free. You could almost keep one of those in your wallet. If it really starts to pour, cover the entire assembly until you get home (or the rain stops).

[ringadingh]

I used to use a plastic disposable salad bowl cover to put over the air filter while I was washing the bike, or parked at work during heavy thunderstorms. They looked very similar to a womans shower cap. Overall the bike always started and ran regardless of how much rain.

[markclark57]

I run Chuckster's Custom's single plate, so the K&N filter is fully exposed. When I still lived in the Seattle area I road in a couple of downpours that were nothing short of amazing with no special rain cover for the filter. The only void in my rain gear was at the top of the zipper under my full face helmet. I was soaked to the knees and the Nomad ran great the whole way, even through a couple of 6" deep water over the road spots.

[mweaver]

Thunder Mfg. offers a mesh rain cover for their systems

Mike

[Monkeyman]

Jesus Freak --- Just out of curiousity, why did you choose the Thunder intake over Joes?

[Jesus Freak]

Monkeyman,

Joes? Don't know who that is or havent seen anything on his air kits... Did I miss out on something cool?

[Monkeyman]

Joe Norris aka Chuckster. He's a machinist by trade and does lots of custom stuff, mainly for Vulcans. He has 2 versions of an open intake for the 1500/1600s which utilize one (or 2) plates of machined aluminum and a "generic" K&N filter. I would assume the 1700 intake is similar enough that he would/could make one for those, too. His intakes are worlds cheaper than the BAKs or Thunder kits. Top notch quality stuff, too. www.chucksterscustoms.com

[Jesus Freak]

Monkeyman, I do know about Chuckster, but didn't know that his name was Joe. I looked on his website before and he didn't show to have an intake for the 1700's. Guess I should have just called and asked. I paid $235 for the Thunder kit.... I am saving for one of Chuckster's hitches next...

[Jesus Freak]

Just received my Thunder Odyssey and can't wait to get it on the bike. Not much to it considering how much it cost.... Wish that I would have called Chuckster... Lessons learned

[Jesus Freak]

Installed my air kit and took it out for a short test ride. I think I giggled... Wow what a difference that made. I had hoped that I would be able to feel a little improvement, but it felt more like someone removed the restricter plate....