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My solution to the crappy pods

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  • My solution to the crappy pods

    I've had a set the crappy pod filters mounted on my bike for over a year and now that I'm making a genuine effort to fine tune the carbs I decided that I needed to eliminate the problems caused by the inside lip of the pods blocking the ports.

    Also, I've always wanted velocity stacks.

    I've read other peoples threads on how they created velocity stacks using either pieces salvaged from a stock air box, or plumbing fittings. The latter appealed to me more since in my previous career I was a plumber and I have a certain familiarity with the parts and fittings.

    The inspiration came from reading the tech tip: Pod filters w/ stacks pictorial.

    I went to browse the plumbing isle at my local Lowe's and found this:



    It's a rubber coupling meant to join 1-1/2" pipe to 2" pipe. TC's tech tip uses straight 1-1/2" rubber couplings, which is fine, but I wanted the volume reduction to achieve the velocity stack effect. I found that the 2" side of this coupling has an outside diameter only slightly smaller than that of the pod filter, and that simply butting the two together and securing with a few wraps of black electrical tape made for a strong, leak-free connection. As an aside, I don't think it looks too terrible. As TC correctly points out in his pictorial, you have to stretch the 1-1/2" end a bit to get it onto the shoulder of the carb, but I also found that once it's been on there for a while (i.e. 2 days) the rubber seems to conform a little and it's much easier to put on the second time.

    I had to cut the end off of the 1-1/2" side so that the hose clamp would tighten down on the shoulder of the carb body:



    This was easy to do by putting the end of the coupling onto a piece of 1-1/2" pipe to hold it still and secure, and then I cut the lip off with my trusty razor knife.

    Here is the one of the final products mounted on the bike:



    The pod just clears my side cover. If this clearance were an issue, one could simply cut an extra 1/2" or 1/4" of off either end to obtain the proper clearance.

    I've only taken one quick ride with this mod, but I immediately noticed my 4-5K stumble was almost gone and the throttle felt much more crisp. The only other thing I think needs done before I consider this mod complete is to increase the size of the opening in the base of the pod:



    The lip created by the shell of the pod is a flow restriction that looks to me like it can be easily remedied with the dremel. I want to remove this restriction and maximize the amount of air that I can pull through this setup.

    $20 bought me (4) 1-1/2" x 2" rubber couplings (they come with stainless steel hose clamps) and I already had the electrical tape and razor knife.

    Total Cost: $20

    Build Time: 30 minutes

    A bike that pulls your arms from their sockets @ 6K RPM: Priceless
    I know this, because Tyler knows this.

    1980 SG
    3J6 003509
    Kerker 4-1 (sans baffles)
    Fuse Block Upgrade
    Mike's XS Green Coils
    Pods w/Homemade Velocity Stacks

  • #2
    Nice mod, Eric. Looks like those pesky lips on the round filters won't be wreaking any more havoc on your air jets. I don't know if I would call them velocity stacks, as stacks have a flared end with the idea being to provide a smooth path for the airflow. Still, with the longer distance for the air to travel, it should have a similar effect.

    When you dremel it make sure you get all the metal particles out of the filters - don't want that stuff going into the carbs or combustion chamber. I've got the flex extension for my dremel which might make it easier to do the grinding, so if you want, we can do that at the same time as the synch. Got the compressor too, so we can blow 'em out good.
    Last edited by dbeardslee; 05-15-2009, 10:55 AM.
    I think I have a loose screw behind the handlebars.

    '79 XS11 Standard, Jardine 4/1, Dyna DC1-1 Coils, 145 mains, 45 pilots, plastic floats - 25.7mm, XV920 fuel valves, inline fuel filters, speed bleeders, Mikes XS pods, spade-type fuse block, fork brace, progressive fork springs/shocks, manual petcocks, 750 FD, Venture cam chain tensioner, SS brake lines

    Comment


    • #3
      I have a pretty good selection of "dremel's little helpers" including the flex shaft, so no problem there. You're right though, I need to be extra careful about shavings and dust. I'm thinking some painters masking tape on the inside, with a little oil brushed on the non-sticky side might effectively block/catch all of the particles that fall into the filter. After that a good shot of compressed air will make sure they are plenty clean.
      I know this, because Tyler knows this.

      1980 SG
      3J6 003509
      Kerker 4-1 (sans baffles)
      Fuse Block Upgrade
      Mike's XS Green Coils
      Pods w/Homemade Velocity Stacks

      Comment


      • #4
        Nice work Eric! I still wouldn't bite your fingernails!!
        Life is what happens while your planning everything else!

        When your work speaks for itself, don't interrupt.

        81 XS1100 Special - Humpty Dumpty
        80 XS1100 Special - Project Resurrection


        Previously owned
        93 GSX600F
        80 XS1100 Special - Ruby
        81 XS1100 Special
        81 CB750 C
        80 CB750 C
        78 XS750

        Comment


        • #5
          Pretty slick.I might borrow that mod for my 78.
          Thanks for the pictorial.
          Rick
          80 SG XS1100
          14 Victory Cross Country

          Comment


          • #6
            What size?

            My bike is in New Mexico right now, and I'm looking at replacing the giant airbox, but I don't know how many MM the ID and OD on the carb air inlet is. Does anyone have this figure right on hand?

            By the way: I removed my OTCY or is it OCTY from the fuel lines on my bike, just took them out, and put in two inline fuel filters, plugged up the front fuel port on the pet-cock and am running straight from the tank into the filter, into the carb. No issues, at all...

            Comment


            • #7
              IIRC the OD of the intake bell is 54mm. Don't worry about the ID - you can't put anything inside the bell as there are jets and intakes along the rim. You also want to make sure you use pods that don't have the little lip on the inside as it can cover those intakes as well. You might also want to fab a support for the back of the carbs - mine is a metal strap that runs from between the tops of the 2 & 3 carbs to the bolt where the top strap on the airbox was formerly attached. It keeps the carbs from bouncing around, and will help lengthen the life of your carb hangers.
              I think I have a loose screw behind the handlebars.

              '79 XS11 Standard, Jardine 4/1, Dyna DC1-1 Coils, 145 mains, 45 pilots, plastic floats - 25.7mm, XV920 fuel valves, inline fuel filters, speed bleeders, Mikes XS pods, spade-type fuse block, fork brace, progressive fork springs/shocks, manual petcocks, 750 FD, Venture cam chain tensioner, SS brake lines

              Comment


              • #8
                Hi,
                working on rubber parts goes better if you leave them in the freezer overnight and grind or cut when they are still frozen.
                Fred Hill, S'toon
                XS11SG with Spirit of America sidecar
                "The Flying Pumpkin"

                Comment


                • #9
                  love it!!!!!, ON MY WAY TO LOWE'S NOW!! thanks
                  79 xs eleven special
                  pods
                  jetted
                  cammed
                  pitted chrome
                  straight pipes
                  16" apes
                  +6 front
                  -2.6 rigid rear (still regret this)
                  blinkers are for slow ppl
                  http://i473.photobucket.com/albums/r...1/100_3355.jpg http://i473.photobucket.com/albums/r...1st2011021.jpg
                  "here for a good time NOT a long time"

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    I did a similar mod but used a 2" long piece of sch40 pvc pipe. I bored one end to slip over the carb and used a hose clamp to hold them on then turned the other end so the filter would slip on. I haven't painted them yet so they look like a 2" piece of pvc pipe...but they work good.
                    US Army 1986-1991

                    1979 1100 Special (on the road after 16 years!)
                    1983 GS300L (wifes ride)
                    1985 Super Glide
                    2012 Super Glide

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      What do you guys think of this: These are flame arrestors for watercraft. I know from experience they improve accerlation. What do you think of 4 of these with foam sleeve outer filters on an XS1100? Seems the lack of a velocity stack on some pods is a hinder.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        The flame arresters look to have large aperatures that would stop larger particles, but would allow grit to get into the engine. I wouldn't use them based on the appearance.
                        Skids (Sid Hansen)

                        Down to one 1978 E. Stock air box with K&N filter, 81H pipes and carbs, 8500 feet elevation.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          foam

                          Skids - I understood him to mean he would sleeve these in foam for more filtration.

                          Seems like it would work, but its the kind of thing I'd try if I had them on hand, not if I was buying them.

                          John
                          John is in an anonymous city with an Alamo (N29.519227,W-98.678980)

                          Go ahead, click on the bikes - you know you want to...the electrons are ready.
                          '81 XS1100H - "Enterprise"
                          Bob Jones Custom Navy bike: Tkat brace, EBC floating rotors & SS lines, ROX pivot risers, Geezer rectifier, new 3H3 engine

                          "Not all treasure is silver and gold"

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            I've already replied to the other thread regarding the Vortex filters.
                            My concern with this mod is just the use of electrical tape for securing them to the rubber. Fuel can leak out into the air filter, and would make a mess of the tape/glue, etc.!

                            I would think/suggest the use of a fuel resistant sealant, rtv, epoxy, rubber contact cement? of some sort to secure them to the rubber mounts vs. the tape.

                            T.C.
                            T. C. Gresham
                            81SH "Godzilla" . . .1179cc super-rat.
                            79SF "The Teacher" . . .basket case!
                            History shows again and again,
                            How nature points out the folly of men!

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                            • #15
                              I guess I might as well chime in - my problem with the foam wrapped around them is that the space is pretty tight. My brother's got foam filters on his, and the two outside ones are always kicked out at an angle. On the inside they're kind of mushed together, which doesn't seem like a good thing as far as air flow is concerned. I've got the oval Mikes pods on mine which gives you a lot of surface area, and they don't touch in between. They're oilable (is that a word?) but I leave them dry. The small round ones can struggle to get enough air through them, and on some bikes you can see how they suck in over time. The big oval ones don't exhibit that problem. JAT
                              I think I have a loose screw behind the handlebars.

                              '79 XS11 Standard, Jardine 4/1, Dyna DC1-1 Coils, 145 mains, 45 pilots, plastic floats - 25.7mm, XV920 fuel valves, inline fuel filters, speed bleeders, Mikes XS pods, spade-type fuse block, fork brace, progressive fork springs/shocks, manual petcocks, 750 FD, Venture cam chain tensioner, SS brake lines

                              Comment

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