K&N air Filter

Thinking of changing the Air Filter, Oil and Oil filter in my newly aquired 1983 kz550 F1 spectre.

Are K&N Air filters worth the money? Especially on an older bike?

Will i really see any noticeable increase in performance or is it just hype??

Also - what is the best grade oil to stick in it? It's done just under 13k (or so it says) and I live in a cool British climate!! And semi synthetic, synthetic or mineral??

You have started another argument on oil types, with synthetic and such. People here say synthetic is both good and bad. Dude seriously, I stick to mineral oil, 10w 40. K&N filters, I can't help you with the performance boost thing, since I got my Kz1000 with one, but do what you want. I tend to just use K&N as oil filters, but they are worth the money

i've got k & n's on my 77 kz1000, and i've got plain old emgo's on my 76 kz900...and i cannot tell the difference. the k & n's do last longer, but are more expensive. with good care, they will be the last filters you buy for your bike. it comes down to personal preference and finances. as far as oil, i do not see the need for the pricey stuff. i use plain old valvoline. 10w40 or 20w50.

Post edited by: arobsum, at: 2007/01/23 21:50

a bike with that many miles id say go with the regular oil;)

It takes a little work to get things dialed in jetwise, and the power gains are modest (were talking just filters here). But the intake sound adds (IMHO) to the quality of the ride. Takes the sewing machine sound and gives it a little growl. But the greatest joy is having the carbs off in 30 seconds (ok, maybe 90) for any servicing issues. Intake silencer, airbox, filter, carb boots = PITA.
Note: I live in AZ and have no experience with pods and rain. I would only consider K&N's if switching to pods.

Oil: Shell Rotella T semi-synthetic in gallon jugs. Use it in everything except my hair...

Post edited by: andoman, at: 2007/01/23 23:52

I have the stock airbox on my bike with a K&N airfilter. Personally I haven't noticed any difference in performance. I do like the fact that I can pop the filter out, clean & oil it and pop it back in. As far as oil goes I use Castrol GTX 20W-50. I always use a Wix brand oil filter.

I have a question ... my bike which I just started rebuilding is a 79 KZ650 B ... bike came basically in boxes, I'm almost done rebuilding, but does not have airbox or any of those tubes ... has 4 cone filters to attach to the carbs. I can eliminate the airbox as it is shown in the Clymer manual? Thanks guys

I have the stock airbox on my 1983 KZ550 with a K&N air filter. I haven't noticed any difference in performance, but the bike ran a little rich with the OEM paper filter and my mileage increased about 5mpg with the K&N. They flow more air but also more dirt than pleated paper, so I have been running used crankcase oil analyses to see if the oil silicon content (dirt) increased. It did not, so I concluded I was OK running the K&N filter for clean paved street riding.
You don't have to pay a high price for the K&N, since they last so long you can get excellent used ones cheaply at bike wreckers, just like new after cleaning and re-oiling.

I have a question ... my bike which I just started rebuilding is a 79 KZ650 B ... bike came basically in boxes, I'm almost done rebuilding, but does not have airbox or any of those tubes ... has 4 cone filters to attach to the carbs. I can eliminate the airbox as it is shown in the Clymer manual? Thanks guys I dont understand your question Surfinglbi23

Yup. The pod filters are all you need hooked right on the back of each carb. If you got the project without the airbox, hopefully your jetting is already close.

Good luck!