What about the left side? Now w/pics!!

[cactusjack]

As I've mentioned before, I bought one of Chuckster's 7" aluminum backing plates and a 7" K&N air filter assembly on my right side to open up the intake. I removed the entire stock air cleaner and backing plate from the left side. I did not want to remove the crossover tube, which is now exposed on the left side.

So I ordered a blank (no holes) 7" aluminum plate from Chuckster and decided to use the mounting bracket from the left side to make a "dummy" air filter for the left. I had to drill three holes in the blank plate, 1 for the center stud and the other 1 to mount to the bracket. In order to position the left side unit correctly so it matches the right side, the backing plate hits the bracket in the bottom 1/3 of the 7" plate. The plate and air filter assembly is fairly heavy, so I have some concerns about that much weight being carried by the 2 6mm bolts which pass through 1/2" spacers into the sides of the cylinders. I have already ordered the second K&N filter assembly and it is on its way to my house.

Then I came across this: http://www.thundermfg.com/store/inde...t_detail&p=143

Dang! I wish I knew about this cover plate a week ago.

[mikesth]

I like that cover plate - Still trying to figure out what I want on my left side as well -

[cactusjack]

I just realized today that Thunder Mfg. is somewhat local to me. I say "somewhat" because it's in NW Phoenix, 50 miles away. I can pick up the item and save myself the shipping. It would be a great excuse for a 100-mile ride, all of it freeway.

[rickyboy]

Hi CJ,
I'm just wondering why you wouldn't just do the left side of the "Caddman kit". I think you would get more air to the throttle body too. Just curious.

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by rickyboy ... #00722

Hi CJ,
I'm just wondering why you wouldn't just do the left side of the "Caddman kit". I think you would get more air to the throttle body too. Just curious.

Because when you replace the stock backing plate on the right side with the 7" plate, the crossover tube is no longer functional. It is no longer connected on the right side.

[cactusjack]

Today I installed the dummy 7" backing plate on the left side, to match what I've already done on the right side.

Here's how it looks now:


A close up:


With the filter assembly removed. You'll see part of the stock mounting bracket exposed at about 5:00. I didn't want to cut this off. It was necessary to expose that section in order to position the backing plate to mirror the right side:


With the backing plate removed. I painted the stock backing plate mounting bracket flat black. You can see the 1/2" spacers I had to use to move the bracket away from the cylinders to allow the backing plate to clear the crossover tube:


Here's a closeup of the bracket, showing the hole I had to drill:

[biscuitsngravy]

Wow, great photos, CactusJack! Thanks!
BnG

[strobe]

Looks great. I like the balanced look of the filters rather than the Thunder plate for the left anyway. Nice job!!

[blowndodge]

A phone K&N filter??? Whats the world coming to??? Last year Tomk removed the entire crossover tube and I have to admit, it looks real clean with just the two jugs and nothing to cover them up with! I'd have done it if it wasn't for California going to maybe start smogging the motorcycles.

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by Blowndodge "Darksider"

A phone K&N filter??? Whats the world coming to??? Last year Tomk removed the entire crossover tube and I have to admit, it looks real clean with just the two jugs and nothing to cover them up with! I'd have done it if it wasn't for California going to maybe start smogging the motorcycles.

And that's exactly why I don't want to remove it, either. AZ already smogs bikes, although they are awaiting EPA approval to end the program. I still have 4 years of exemption left before I have to undergo emissions testing (assuming the EPA doesn't sign off on the measure).