Narrow Air Cleaner (2019)

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kommando said:
Good idea, the Amal filters have such a clip for perforated surrounds.

Narrow Air Cleaner (2019)
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cliffa said:
AHA, thanks kommando I knew I'd seen those kind of clips somewhere, but was racking my brains (that didn't take long) ;)
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Unfortunately, it won't work on a Norton. On a Triumph (maybe BSA too), you take the clip off, spread the air cleaner surround a little and slip it over the air filter from behind. On a Norton, you would have to spread it so far that it would bend out of shape to get it over the filter. The surrounds that use these are much more flexible than the Norton gauze.
 
marshg246 said:
Unfortunately, it won't work on a Norton. On a Triumph (maybe BSA too), you take the clip off, spread the air cleaner surround a little and slip it over the air filter from behind. On a Norton, you would have to spread it so far that it would bend out of shape to get it over the filter. The surrounds that use these are much more flexible than the Norton gauze.
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But my suggestion was to cut it into two pieces. No bending required, just clip it back together once in position. kommando was indicating the type of clip which could be used to hold the two pieces together as an alternative to the case catches I posted.
 
cliffa said:
But my suggestion was to cut it into two pieces. No bending required, just clip it back together once in position. kommando was indicating the type of clip which could be used to hold the two pieces together as an alternative to the case catches I posted.
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Even still, cut in two probably would not work.

The Amal air cleaners surrounds are made for this - they have bends in the ends so they overlap. You would be asking the Norton surround to butt together and stay butted together, or you would have to cut a section out of both places and tighten it against the air filter hoping that the filter didn't give in operation. The Amal surrounds tighten against the front and rear metal covers - you don't have that on a Norton - the surround goes inside the covers. Also, you would have to cut it at the top and bottom to get it on and then try to get the clips on and tightened.

I'm old enough to know better than to say it won't work - but it probably won't.
 
marshg246 said:
Even still, cut in two probably would not work.

The Amal air cleaners surrounds are made for this - they have bends in the ends so they overlap. You would be asking the Norton surround to butt together and stay butted together, or you would have to cut a section out of both places and tighten it against the air filter hoping that the filter didn't give in operation. The Amal surrounds tighten against the front and rear metal covers - you don't have that on a Norton - the surround goes inside the covers. Also, you would have to cut it at the top and bottom to get it on and then try to get the clips on and tightened.

I'm old enough to know better than to say it won't work - but it probably won't.
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So, you are throwing down the gauntlet?
 
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cliffa said:
So, you are throwing down the gauntlet?
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Sure, in fact at first I said I would try it since I have plenty of those clips and rusty old surrounds. But then I remembered that I'm about 14 projects behind so let someone else try it. I have my solution :)
 
My "solution is to run the standard K&N size for the Norton and leave the cover grille off. There is enough squash-ability in the filter to make removal and carb work easier. Its the cover grille removal that makes things tough IMHO. As for aesthetics, many folks run "bare" K&N filters on many bikes/cars. Infact many are added just for the show factor....
 
It suddenly occurred to me that if there is any "over length" variation in the width of the perforated insert, it would have a major affect on how easy it is to install. It wouldn't take much of an oversize width to cause a major problem...

Has anyone measured the width (front to back) of several ham can perforated inserts, preferably original OEM and aftermarket? Is there a Norton design drawing with the spec width somewhere? We might find that the problem some folks are having has to do with inconsistent original or later insert replacements.
 
Tornado said:
BTW, I found this listing for a stock size UniFilter for all Norton '69-'76 classics


Seems that could maybe be cut down to fit a slim line can. UniFilter also sell just the foam to cut how you like...but it would need an inner grill made up (Chicken-wire perhaps??) to help hold the shape needed.
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Did you end up trying to cut down uni filter to fit the narrower RGM can? If so how did it work out for riding and maintenance?
 
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Metisse said:
Did you end up trying to cut down uni filter to fit the narrower RGM can? If so how did it work out for riding and maintenance?
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No I never tried this item, just posted as an idea that might be useful.
 
Metisse said:
Did you end up trying to cut down uni filter to fit the narrower RGM can? If so how did it work out for riding and maintenance?
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I have three solutions I use depending on the situation.

1) RGM narrow filter element with a stock screen cut down.
2) K&N E-3410 filter element with a stock screen cut down.
3) cNw K&N narrow version of the Norton "universal" (R-0990?) filter. https://coloradonortonworks.net/k-n-narrow-air-filter-for-amals.html When using this you can leave the back of the hamcan filter in place so the ignition switch stays in place. If your back is black, it's not noticeable.

It turns out to be simple to cut the stock screen down with an angle grinder and thin cut-off disk. I determine the width, use blue tape along the line and then cut. Then I use a fine file and some sand paper to smooth the sharp edge. Whole process takes less than 5 minutes.

If using this method, you screw the adapters on the carbs backwards and then the ridge on the adapters fits into the slot on the bellows. The bellows are stretched near their limit but I have hadn't any trouble. Here's what it looks like done with the RGM filter element, an OEM black back, and a stainless steel screen and silver front from Wassell.

Narrow Air Cleaner (2019)
 
Thank you both for the replies. My mesh can is in need of refinishing, it looks like it was painted at some point. What is the stock finish on them?
 
I have two OEM mesh screens, both appear to be stainless but perhaps are chrome? Have not pursued a slimmed down air box yet...too many other fish to fry on this bike. I find running the standard sized K&N resusable element without the oem mesh makes R&R on the airbox covers quite easy when needing to R&R carbs.
 
Metisse said:
Thank you both for the replies. My mesh can is in need of refinishing, it looks like it was painted at some point. What is the stock finish on them?
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Don't know. Every one I've had that I assumed was original was rusted so I assume not stainless. A magnet sticks to the ones AN currently sells and to the ones Wassell currently sells. They appear to be identical, are not chromed, are shiny, are not painted, and according to Wassell are made in England. Wassell no longer has the stainless version.
 
johnm said:
View attachment 12906 View attachment 12907 View attachment 12908 Only slightly off topic. This is the shortened air cleaner we made for use with the CNW starter. I preferred to retain as much of the classic look as possible. Uses a standard air cleaner but just cut, shortened and reglued.

The side bolts moved up, shortened and slim plates added to clear the frame tubes at this point

Now I have seen the slimmer one I wonder if it would have worked too. I shall check when I get the bike assembled. Just picked up the refurbished engine this morning.
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Photo installed with CNW starter.

I do not think the thinner one would fit with the CNW starter.
 

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marshg246 said:
I have three solutions I use depending on the situation.

1) RGM narrow filter element with a stock screen cut down.
2) K&N E-3410 filter element with a stock screen cut down.
3) cNw K&N narrow version of the Norton "universal" (R-0990?) filter. https://coloradonortonworks.net/k-n-narrow-air-filter-for-amals.html When using this you can leave the back of the hamcan filter in place so the ignition switch stays in place. If your back is black, it's not noticeable.

It turns out to be simple to cut the stock screen down with an angle grinder and thin cut-off disk. I determine the width, use blue tape along the line and then cut. Then I use a fine file and some sand paper to smooth the sharp edge. Whole process takes less than 5 minutes.

If using this method, you screw the adapters on the carbs backwards and then the ridge on the adapters fits into the slot on the bellows. The bellows are stretched near their limit but I have hadn't any trouble. Here's what it looks like done with the RGM filter element, an OEM black back, and a stainless steel screen and silver front from Wassell.

View attachment 79034
Click to expand...
In this old post I recommend the K&N E-3410. It was a little better than the RGM version because it was 2-1/16" which worked well with the stock rubber bellows and they were readily available from Amazon. I've been installing them on my builds ever since. I spoke with a guy last week that said he go a n E-3410 and it was only 1-3/4". I got one today that was 1-3/4". The bellows will not reach. So, I called K&N to try to figure it out. They told me that it was clearly not the right filter and that they can't replace it since it is discontinued. He also mentioned that the N-0101 and standard K&N Hamcan filter are also discontinued. I have put in a request for a quote on having a batch made - I won't hold my breath waiting!

The bike in the picture had the RGM narrow filter.
 
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For non E-start Commandos could one get another 1/4 inch or so by deepening the slots in the bottom of the battery carrier where it joins the frame and moving it back? I can't quite visualize what might stand in the way but if nothing does, then you could move the Ham Can back plate away from the carburetors and gain a little more room for filter changing using the stock filter element and screen.
 
Thomasa said:
For non E-start Commandos could one get another 1/4 inch or so by deepening the slots in the bottom of the battery carrier where it joins the frame and moving it back? I can't quite visualize what might stand in the way but if nothing does, then you could move the Ham Can back plate away from the carburetors and gain a little more room for filter changing using the stock filter element and screen.
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The rear fender would stop that, and the top mount bracket would no longer reach.
 
Don't recall seeing one installed on a Norton.
I did have one similar on a HD with SU carb, looked very cool.
Worked fine as far as I could tell.

I may look into these.
 
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