To air box or pod filters

[Roncoach70]

Hi folks thanks for all the great info. I have a 79 xs1100SF. This year I've done the pickup wire repairs, all 4 were broken. Put in new coils wires and plugs. I also pulled the carbs and cleaned them. Thought I had a bad diaphram at #3 but it looks ok with no holes looking at it in direct sunlight. It was popping sometimes on the right side. I changed the fuel lines. Started it tonight without the air box seems to be running better than it has in a long time. But I'm thinking of possibly leaving off the air box and going to pod filters, just because it is such a pain to reinstall the carbs with the air box. Any thoughts? Jetting suggestions if I decide to go with pods. It has the original exhaust system.
Thanks for the help.

[dbeardslee]

Personally I like pod filters, but I've got a 4/1 exhaust on the other side of the motor, so they match up good with the exhaust. With a stock exhaust with pods the Jetting Recommendations will tell you to bump it one jet size. I like the ease of carb removal and installation with the pods, and I also like the sound.

One thing to keep in mind if you decide to go to pods - with the stock air box your carbs are supported front and rear. When you remove the air box it's a good idea to put a brace on the rear. Otherwise your carbs are going to tend to bounce around, and that can't be good for your carb hangers.

And one other thing - make sure you get the right pods. If you go with the cheap pods with the inside lip it will restrict the air flow to the carb intakes and it won't run right.

[Roncoach70]

Thanks if I do switch to pods I wouls probably use K&N's. I agree the sound is great.

[MPittma100]

Air Box

Less trouble to keep the air box unless you plan on pulling the carbs every day. No jet change. No added brace. No fabricating of crankcase vent.

Keeping the bike stock maintains the value.

[Roncoach70]

Thanks, I do like the look of the air box it's just such a pita to install the carbs with the air box.

[Roncoach70]

Did the fork brace make a noticable handling difference?

[natemoen]

It isn't that hard working with the air box. After the 2nd or 3rd time removing and reinstalling the carbs you get it figured out and can do it in under 10 minutes.

[BowlingSS]

I would stay with the stock air box. Sometimes Pods are a pain to tune.

Bill

[jwhughes3]

Just eliminate that top box bracket and its easier. The side screws are enough to hold the box in place.

John

[Bigfoot]

I like the pods. Runs well with the supertrapp 4-1 exhaust and really didn't need to mess with the jetting at all.

And to answer your other question, A fork brake makes a huge difference. Not as much on an XJ since they have beefed up the fender.

[Radioguylogs]

Less trouble to keep the air box unless you plan on pulling the carbs every day. No jet change. No added brace. No fabricating of crankcase vent.

Keeping the bike stock maintains the value.

+1

I have box of 7 Pods, compliments of the POs. Who wants them?

[Rasputin]

I will never put pods on any bike ever again unless forced to. I run better with the stock air box all the time. Granted some exhaust and other changes can make pods a better choice, just not in my playpen. If someone brings me a bike with pods or wants them installed I just let them beak off and go away. My own stepson asked me to install and I told him nope.
Sure there are ways of dealing with this stuff. Is it really worth the trouble, the jetting, the removal and install so may times? I think not!
Is it worth a search on the site to find the five minute carb removal? Oh yeah and the install right after that? Yes, Yes, it is! I looked at that video one time and never looked back. Those carbs will literally fall off any bike (cept the XJ) and re-install easily.
How would you like to play today? Would you like to spend a long arduous time ordering and re ordering parts and pulling carbs, test riding etc.or would you prefer to ride?

[Bigfoot]

I don't know that many people that had problems with the jetting when adding the pod filters. I did not have to rejet mine. It ran very well with the stock 4-2 exhaust and pods. Even better with the 4-1.

[Rasputin]

I don't know that many people that had problems with the jetting when adding the pod filters. I did not have to rejet mine. It ran very well with the stock 4-2 exhaust and pods. Even better with the 4-1.

I think that is wonderful for you Bigfoot. I just wonder how many members would glorify...It ran very well with the stock 4-2 exhaust and pods. Even better with the 4-1.
This statement alone is a wonder? So much specific tuning is required due to everything from elevation to gas quality.

[Bigfoot]

Meaning it ran like a nice stock XS with the 4-2 and runs like a very quick XS with the 4-1. Do what ya want, I am just saying not everyone seems to have as much difficulty as you do getting a bike to run with pod filters.