» Insurance
» Sponsors
Commonwealth MotorcyclesMotorcycle.comRicor ShocksSoupy's Performance SportbikeTrackGearTriumph DetroitEPG Moto
» Sponsors

Thunderbird Twin - Technical Talk Technical talk for the big Thunderbird twin

Penn Foster
Please Visit our Site Sponsors Page

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 08-25-2009, 09:25 PM   #1 (permalink)
Senior Member
Supersport 600
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 168
Need help with K&N filter install

I just got the K&N Filter for the speedmaster and its slightly to tall to fit the Thunderbird. I can get the screws on the retention ring, but it will allow air thru with no seal. You guys that have this filter installed what did you put between the top of the filter and the retention ring to seal it????
steveg56 is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links
Advertisement
 

Old 08-25-2009, 09:44 PM   #2 (permalink)
Senior Member
Formula Extreme
Favourite Bike: '10 Thunderbird
 
Thatch's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Fayetteville NC
Posts: 833
It will fit. Just crank it on down. I know it doesn't seem right at first but once you get the screws started you can take them all the way down and it will seat in just like factory.
Thatch is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 08-25-2009, 10:22 PM   #3 (permalink)
Senior Member
Supersport 600
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 168
Quote:
Originally Posted by Thatch View Post
It will fit. Just crank it on down. I know it doesn't seem right at first but once you get the screws started you can take them all the way down and it will seat in just like factory.
Wow scary... mine seems like it will snap or crush the k&n into an odd shape. Have you taken the top off after this to see the K&N still has its integrity?
steveg56 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-25-2009, 10:35 PM   #4 (permalink)
Senior Member
Formula Extreme
Favourite Bike: '10 Thunderbird
 
Thatch's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Fayetteville NC
Posts: 833
I did see a small buckle on one corner of the filter but it was minimal and would not affect air flow. No damage at all to the filter box or cover.
Thatch is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 08-25-2009, 11:49 PM   #5 (permalink)
Senior Member
SuperStock
Favourite Bike: Triumph Thunderbird
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Marsing ID.
Posts: 223
Same here, no problem it's sealed off.
mustang66man is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-26-2009, 12:07 AM   #6 (permalink)
Senior Member
SOTP Vintage Series
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: L.A., Ca.
Posts: 7,216
Are you sure you got the correct filter? Mine is a UNI, but it's th same UNI for the speedmaster just as the K&N everyone is using is, and it fits fine. It should have SOME length beyond what would fit perfectly because otherwise with no pressure the seal would not be tight. Then again if it's as tight as you say you may want to be sure it's the correct one. the K&N site has the info.

That said, it may just be that you are more sensitive to the tightening down of the bracket than most are. I would say that as long as the screws will catch the threads w/o having to push it down hard then it's fine. Mine i just put the bracket on and the screws catch the threads w/o pusing down on it.
__________________
Happiness is Cycleworld's "Best in class" cruiser, the Triumph Thunderbird. Here's mine.
dazco is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 08-26-2009, 12:23 AM   #7 (permalink)
Senior Member
Supersport 600
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 168
I pushed on the filter itself in my hand to see how sturdy it was before I put it in and it collapsed a bit. I went around the whole rim of the top of the filter and slightly collapsed it before putting it in and the lid on. The top went on with only a little pressure to get the screws in. I slowly tightened each screw until seated fully. I did not want to collapse the filter and cause an crease with a small tear. It is installed now, albeit disfigured a bit, but it works. Those with a faint of heart should wait for the proper Thunderbird fitting...

On a side note: took the bike for a spin and it is much crisper and pulls even harder now. Pretty big difference from the butt dyno. I was going around a corner that I usually go around in full throttle with no problems, this time it was pulling so hard I actually scared myself a bit and had to get off the throttle...no joke. I used to have a slight stumble if I tried to rev very fast from idle and now it just sings. This is a great cheap mod that will be noticed across the powerband. I came home tonight with a big smile on my face and shaking my head in disbelief that this bike just keeps getting better and better. Unbelievable

Last edited by steveg56 : 08-26-2009 at 12:25 AM.
steveg56 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-26-2009, 03:10 PM   #8 (permalink)
Senior Member
SuperStock
Favourite Bike: 2010 Thunderbird -Blue/Wh
 
DOUBLEL's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: SLIDELL, LA USA, In The Eye of Hurricane Katrina
Posts: 201
Ok, I can't stand it. I guess I will need to get the K&N or UNI filter soon. Are you ordering on-line or from a Dealer in your area? Also, I assume you just change it out without any other adjustments?
DOUBLEL is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-26-2009, 03:20 PM   #9 (permalink)
Senior Member
SOTP Vintage Series
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: L.A., Ca.
Posts: 7,216
Quote:
Originally Posted by DOUBLEL View Post
Ok, I can't stand it. I guess I will need to get the K&N or UNI filter soon. Are you ordering on-line or from a Dealer in your area? Also, I assume you just change it out without any other adjustments?
Yes. the bike's closed lop system is capable of making automatic adjustments up to a point. The filter falls below that point and therefore is compensated for automatically. You may have a hard time finding one locally, but there are a million online sources. Fast Eddy is the little guy but he tries harder, fast as the name implies, and his price is good.(free shipping) http://www.fasteddysports.com/

K&N: http://www.fasteddysports.com/?page_id=3&product_id=234

UNI: http://www.fasteddysports.com/?page_id=3&product_id=313
__________________
Happiness is Cycleworld's "Best in class" cruiser, the Triumph Thunderbird. Here's mine.

Last edited by dazco : 08-26-2009 at 03:23 PM.
dazco is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 08-27-2009, 11:37 AM   #10 (permalink)
Member
Super Sidecars
 
BirdBrayne's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Hershey PA
Posts: 42
Not to switch gears too much here but what is the difference between the K&N compared to what my dealer is telling me to get - the Triumph filter for $90.
I take it the Triumph filter will fit perfectly and I wont have to mess around with trying to get it in there but other then that, once it is in it doesn't come out but once a year for cleaning and re-oiling correct?
BirdBrayne is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply



Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
2 tech issues, a) ace handlebars b) air filter install help? Vegas_07Bonnie Twins Technical Talk 2 02-04-2009 12:54 PM
TT600 Oil Filter (Triumph OEM VS. K&N Oil Filter) spin Triumph SuperSports 14 06-11-2007 11:49 PM
Problem with airbox removal and K&N filter install junabug Club Cafe' 11 11-10-2006 10:37 PM
Fuel Filter/oil filter/oil type Anchorbend Twins Talk 4 07-24-2005 01:00 AM
K&N filter install Schmitty Triumph SuperSports 4 04-22-2005 05:37 PM

Motorcycle News, Videos and Reviews
Harley Davidson Suzuki GSXR Ducati Forum Kawasaki Forum Sportbikes Forum
V-Rod Forum GSXR Forum Ducati Monster Vulcan Forums Triumph Forum
Harley Forum Suzuki SV Honda 600RR Kawasaki ZX Forum Triumph 675
Buell Forum Yamaha R1 Honda 1000RR Kawasaki ZX-10R Can Am Spyder
KTM Forum Yamaha R6 Honda Fury Forums Kawasaki KLR 650 Aprilia Forum
Victory Forums YZF-R6 Forum Honda Goldwing Kawasaki Versys BMW S1000RR Forum

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.10
Copyright ©2000 - 2010, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.3.2