KLR 650 Airbox Mod

SCouch · 07-09-2010, 02:28 PM

Finally getting exhaust, high flow filter and jet kit for the 2001 KLR 650. I've seen some suggestions about drilling holes in the airbox to create air flow, but I'm thinking this will let water in. Is there a way to increase air flow without causing water problems, or is it even needed?

CA Stu · 07-09-2010, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCouch

Finally getting exhaust, high flow filter and jet kit for the 2001 KLR 650. I've seen some suggestions about drilling holes in the airbox to create air flow, but I'm thinking this will let water in. Is there a way to increase air flow without causing water problems, or is it even needed?

Yes and no.

Yes: the way around it is to cut an "L" in the top of the airbox. You can use a die grinder / Dremel tool to cut it with an abrasive wheel, go slow and you can do a very fine job.

From here: Link

No: It's not necessary in my opinion.

Unless you do other mods like a 685 kit and a big valve head, and what kind of dummy would do that to a KLR.

Thanks
CA Stu

SCouch · 07-09-2010, 06:16 PM

Thanks!!

WILL_S · 07-09-2010, 06:48 PM

I did mine by drilling 3 1" holes in the top and not cutting the L.You can plug the holes up with rubber grommets to reverse it.
Did it make a difference ....you bet.Although i have a aftermarket exhaust and different jets & needle height.The mods i did were with the instructions for the pipe to get the best results after fitting the pipe.
Yep i'm some kind of dummy

IdaTHUMP · 07-09-2010, 07:46 PM

A 'stage 1' mod (air, jetting/FI adj., exhaust) will always make a difference in performance but fuel economy will suffer and you will probably be environmentally unfriendly at that point (if that matters to ya...). All in all I am getting away from running my bikes like this the older I get. If you need more power buy a bigger displacement machine!

Big_AL · 07-10-2010, 06:25 AM

I'd did the .22 cent carb mod and Low Buck Exhaust mods on all 4 KLR's I've owned and had great success with just removing the factory restricting grommet from the top of the air box. Got a stack of grommets, anyone need one?

HTH....Al

Dan Diego · 02-24-2013, 01:24 PM

Here's a pretty clean and easy mod I did today in about 6 minutes.

Having trouble adding photos; here's the link if the photos don't appear in this post.

https://plus.google.com/photos/10710...32080665280753

SkiBumBrian · 02-24-2013, 02:42 PM

I think it depends on what exhaust you bought and if you want to get the most out of it. If you have a full flow exhaust, go ahead and pull the snorkel. Then perform the L mod but buy some plugs the same size if you think you didn't need to. I say there is a noticeable difference. .. Air in, air out. Its not rocket science. The Lmod holes are under the seat and as high or higher than the snorkel, Were you planning on swimming with your KLR? ;-)

JBradley500 · 02-24-2013, 02:56 PM

I did the same thing with (4) 1" holes like Dan Diego plus no snorkel. Even though I really liked those little uni-filters I didn't think they were worth the effort.

Tsotsie · 02-25-2013, 06:14 AM

Has anyone done any real before an after, documented testing, to see if this 'L mod', drilling holes actually works?

People remove the 'snorkle' which has rounded edges to smooth flow the air passing through to a hole with sharp edges and which is not aerodynamically efficient?

Another of the tribal knowledge gotta haves?

07-09-2010, 02:28 PM	#1
SCouch ^OP Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Mar 2007 Location: Grenada, MS Oddometer: 110	KLR 650 Airbox Mod Finally getting exhaust, high flow filter and jet kit for the 2001 KLR 650. I've seen some suggestions about drilling holes in the airbox to create air flow, but I'm thinking this will let water in. Is there a way to increase air flow without causing water problems, or is it even needed?

07-09-2010, 06:48 PM	#4
WILL_S 110 POWER Joined: Feb 2009 Location: goodly satisfactory place, qld Oddometer: 1,656	I did mine by drilling 3 1" holes in the top and not cutting the L.You can plug the holes up with rubber grommets to reverse it. Did it make a difference ....you bet.Although i have a aftermarket exhaust and different jets & needle height.The mods i did were with the instructions for the pipe to get the best results after fitting the pipe. Yep i'm some kind of dummy __________________ Take the green pill or the red pill- the choice is yours;This is your last chance. After this, there is no turning back. You take the blue pill - the story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill - you stay in Wonderland and I show you how deep the rabbit-hole goes.

07-09-2010, 07:46 PM	#5
IdaTHUMP Hunt'n fer sixth Joined: Jul 2010 Location: North Idaho Oddometer: 44	A 'stage 1' mod (air, jetting/FI adj., exhaust) will always make a difference in performance but fuel economy will suffer and you will probably be environmentally unfriendly at that point (if that matters to ya...). All in all I am getting away from running my bikes like this the older I get. If you need more power buy a bigger displacement machine! __________________ Curt '03 DR650 '09 HD FLTR He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.

02-24-2013, 01:24 PM	#7
Dan Diego Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Dec 2010 Location: San Diego, CA Oddometer: 411	KLR650 Airbox Mod (with Uni vent filters) Here's a pretty clean and easy mod I did today in about 6 minutes. Having trouble adding photos; here's the link if the photos don't appear in this post. https://plus.google.com/photos/10710...32080665280753 __________________ 2011 Kawasaki KLR650 2009 Triumph Rocket III Touring Iron Butt LDR guy Dan Diego screwed with this post 02-24-2013 at 02:02 PM Reason: Photo sharing issues.

02-24-2013, 02:42 PM	#8
SkiBumBrian DualSport Crazy !! Joined: Jan 2012 Location: Redding, CA Oddometer: 836	I think it depends on what exhaust you bought and if you want to get the most out of it. If you have a full flow exhaust, go ahead and pull the snorkel. Then perform the L mod but buy some plugs the same size if you think you didn't need to. I say there is a noticeable difference. .. Air in, air out. Its not rocket science. The Lmod holes are under the seat and as high or higher than the snorkel, Were you planning on swimming with your KLR? ;-) __________________ "Where ever you are, there you go..."

07-09-2010, 06:16 PM	#3
SCouch ^OP Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Mar 2007 Location: Grenada, MS Oddometer: 110	Thanks!!

07-10-2010, 06:25 AM	#6
Big_AL Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Apr 2007 Location: Gaston Co. NC Oddometer: 132	I'd did the .22 cent carb mod and Low Buck Exhaust mods on all 4 KLR's I've owned and had great success with just removing the factory restricting grommet from the top of the air box. Got a stack of grommets, anyone need one? HTH....Al

02-24-2013, 02:56 PM	#9
JBradley500 Adventurer Joined: Jan 2013 Oddometer: 30	I did the same thing with (4) 1" holes like Dan Diego plus no snorkel. Even though I really liked those little uni-filters I didn't think they were worth the effort.

02-25-2013, 06:14 AM	#10
Tsotsie Semi-reformed Tsotsi Joined: Nov 2007 Location: Texas Oddometer: 785	Has anyone done any real before an after, documented testing, to see if this 'L mod', drilling holes actually works? People remove the 'snorkle' which has rounded edges to smooth flow the air passing through to a hole with sharp edges and which is not aerodynamically efficient? Another of the tribal knowledge gotta haves?

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