The Prophet

A very well presented article on Airbox technology, air filters, etc. Interesting approach...


Air Filters - Ducati Up North

More...

Still Air Box Design for tuned engines

Yet more...

Resonant Air boxes: Theory and Applications

I respectfully suggest the moral of the story here might be: "If you don't know 100% what an Airbox is designed to do... best to leave it alone".

Far too many folks get frustrated at the technology, and the complexity, and then choose instead to cut out the box, or drill holes in it. The best suggestion is to first try to understand the extremely beneficial aspects of the 'box, then decide for yourself what to do. There is a ton of misleading and downright incorrect info out there, so always look behind the words for professionalism, and reliable, accurate resource material.

The Dynamometer doesn't tell all, therefore look for "other" sources of proof of enhanced performance. Lap times? Elapsed 1/4 mile times? Fuel Economy?, and so on. Ham-fisted hacks galore routinely yank these modern performance enhancers out for "ol' skule" pods and such (remember those?). We've come a long, long way since the '60's guys!

One other frequent issue I see often is folks misunderstanding certain bikes, some very new, that only have Intake Silencers - just a small plastic compartment that holds an air filter, and has tell-tale inner baffling to reflect sound waves back to cancel out intake noise. These are often mistaken for Airboxes, and thus the mixed feelings folks get. You'll find these on very low performance, entry level style bikes. Rest assured that any real high-performance models (Ducati, BMW, Hyabusa, etc.) will undoubtably have an actual Airbox. Leave it be might be the best advice, but it's always your choice in the end.

Know what stuff is before you react?

Ride Safe!

Bob

__________________

• A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving. ~Lao Tzu
• Motorcyles are not my whole life, but they make my life whole. ` me

The Prophet

More Airbox Tech...

http://www.thunderproducts.com/AirboxesDynotech.htm

http://www.snowtechmagazine.com/articles/2003/motherairbox.php


Granted, related no sno-mobiles, but the technology and application is exactly the same for our rides.

Good read.

Ride Safe!

Bob

The Prophet

More...

Motorcycle Airbox Component - Super Streetbike Magazine

Ducati Enthusiast Sport Motorcycle Organization

Interesting reading, and maybe a pretty good step to making calculated, well researched decisions about our personal rides.

Whatever path you choose to travel, it's your choice in the end, as always.

Ride Safe (and smart)!

Bob

The Prophet

A very well done study on Airbox design and testing procedures. Obviously it refers to automobiles, but 99.9% is the same for our bikes. Knowing this technology helps us to make better decisions, and possibly eliminates harmful removal of the beneficial components from our rides.

Wonderful stuff...

Browser Warning

Ride Safe (and WITH technology)!!

Bob

The Prophet

This is one wicked looking EVR Carbon Fiber Airbox for a Ducati. (Tick on the "Carbon Airbox" at the Right)

It stirs up many new ideas and design innovations.

http://www.mota-lab.com/special-parts-c-98.html

Check those evil looking, but certainly effective dual intakes. Nice.

Ride Safe!

Bob

Speedtrip

Nice stuff. Only set ya back a couple of grand.. if only

The Prophet

For your reading pleasure, here is a very interesting write up on "Airboxes"

Make a pot o' coffee, find a nice, quiet area, and study on. Excellent read.

Also, please be reminded that not EVERY bike, even modern ones, have an actual "Airbox".

The word airbox gets tossed around all too frequently these days, and seems to be - maybe because of the misunderstanding - a very big point of contention on almost all motorcycle websites.

• Some Bikes have nothing more than an air filter housing, which also serves as a "Noise" eliminator. Think of a reverse "Muffler" with interior sound wave reflectors that cancel out noise. If your bike is less than say 75 HP, you most likely have one of these Vs an actual "Airbox". If your bike is carbureted, you very probably have one of these. If the Carburetor Float Bowl vents are not hose connected to the "airbox" to equalise pressures, then chances are that it's not an actual "Airbox". These "Air Filter Housings" of course can be improved upon - like anything else - by strategic manipulation, but it is not an "Airbox".
• Some Bikes depend very highly on the addition of an airbox, some do not. This will determine the amount or effectivemness of further adjustments required to the bike should you remove or "swiss Cheese" the Airbox.
• The Airbox's primarly function is to fill in the otherwise guaranteed present "low spot" on the Torque RPM band, usually found about 1/3 of the way up in the "powerband", prior to the 5252 RPM crossover. This is performed via the Helmholtz resonant activity referred to as reverse pulse wave technology, and has everything to do with cylinder filling and Volumetric Efficiency increases within that aforementioned "dip" area. Removing the airbox would then obviously bring back this dip. There are other wonderful benefits of course, but this may arguably be the main benefit.

Anyway, know precisely what you have before you consider removing it, cutting it up, or modifying it.

Best source for accurate information? Call the Headquarters of the bike Manufacturer, and ask to speak to the Technical Department. If they won't let you speak to them, sell the bike quickly, and get a different Brand Name bike from folks who care.
Honestly, I've yet to be refused, and almost all Technical Department guys are extremely knowledgable, and helpful. I've had some great, long and very informative conversations by calling the Manufacturer direct, and usually the end result information is 180 from the stuff tossed around so freely on the low-tech "Biker" websites. I wouldn't own their product if it were otherwise. By the way, these guys have the least "baggage" or whatever to worry about, so you can feel comfortable that you are receiving accurate information without the burden of "hidden agenda" or self promotion tactics, defensiveness, etc. What do they have to lose?

Here is the particular "Airbox" site I speak of. Note as well many links for further study and reading. Very nice stuff.

Zumotor: Tuned airbox design considerations for a modern day car. Tuning the airbox - a two stage idea and computer simulation model. - unfinished yet


As always, read at your own risk, your results may vary, and lastly, this is presented for thought provocation, not intended as a "Must do", but a "Could do". We are all free to do... and think... as we feel we must.

Have fun!

Ride Safe(and efficiently)!

Bob

The Prophet

More discussions on routing the Carburetor Float Bowl vents to the Airbox. Interesting perspective, might be worth a consideration.

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/webzxr/zxr750r/Features/ken/ram_air_carbs.html

http://www.jonesisland.com/7r/motor/

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/webzxr/zxr750r/

http://www.thunderproducts.com/polaris_airbox_fittings.htm

Yes, we know these are sometimes focused on cars, some are focused on Sno-Mobiles. it's the baseline Technology we are interested in for future research.

The concept is sound, time to focus on the application. Anyway, some food for thought for those that are interested in such things.

Ride safe!

Bob

The Prophet

Yet another interesting series on Airbox improvements, modifications and scientific testing.

Granted, it is written specifically for cars, but the very same technology holds true for our bikes. Definitely worth a read.

As always, your choice, but it may be good to know what an airbox actually IS (and if your particualar bike actually has one!) before tearing it out and replacing with 1940's style "Pods".

Browser Warning

Ride Safe!

Bob

The Prophet

A very short explanation, but food for thought. Should your airbox intake(s) face forward? Face Backwards? Whats best (better?)?

Anyway, a good base explanation around automobile hood scoops, but it also relates to our bikes.

Pros and Cons of a Cowl Induction Race Hood | eHow.com

I'll add more as I gather info.

Ride Safe!

Bob