Decided to go topless today, after checking that all was well following the repair.
Took off the air box top and relocated the sensor with a spring clip to the side of the base. Took it for a drive the long way home. Interesting new noises, possibly a little more snap (but who can say for sure). Definately no downside. I am running the stock 16ga SE pipes, the K&N air cleaner, and the factory ECM download for that combination. I'll report on any unusual effects as I see them, but so far it seems to run just as before (ie: perfect).
Curious to know if others have similar experiences. Every thread I have come across has several things changed at the same time, so I'm curious to see what changing just one thing does. In theory, it shouldn't change anything - just the opposite of a slightly dirty air cleaner, and even the open loop FI system should compensate.
Comments???

I took mine off before I added my supertrapp v-5 system,pcIIIr,and k&nfilter.I noticed a little more response and low ens torque.I didn't think I hurt it any be being lean,Heck the motor loved it.

I have a new cover sitting right next to me . I have the identical set up that you have. I have been "pondering" a couple things for about 2 months. I think I will take a roto-zip and cut a straight line 6 inches across about 3.5 inches back from the "snorkel". Then make that straight cut into a 2 inch "flap" that will look sorta like this [______] . Then heat up this and bend it up so it is above the rest of the unit by about 1/2-3/4 of an inch. It still has to fit under the Aluminum Lid .That way it will allow more air at idle , and be like a scoop while moving. I am also contemplating cutting the snorkel at about a 45 degree angle to both shorten it a bit and allow more flow via a larger area to scavenge from. It will allow the proper/stock fitment of the sensor and keep it protected / yet allow about 30-40% more open space for air to get through.
I am also hoping that it keeps the majority of rain out as I am not a fair weather rider. As long as it is not nasty rain, or real cold , I still ride to work. It just makes me wear a helmet if it is too cold.
This is just a rookie doing a test. :slap2:
BobT

Choppersteve at V-Mod has tried a bunch of combinations, all to no avail (he has reported). I think either Kaz or Ketsuego has tried the swiss cheese approach. Topless seems to be the most benign approach. But go for it and let us know...

It looks like the only way to get a ram effect to work would be to get more air through the aluminum cove; perhaps some of the fiberglass replacements could have some sort of scoop molded in to feed air directly to the airbox.

Some of the carbon fiber parts that Joe (aka Dr HethenScum) was selling have that very thing... Joe you out there with a comment?

Mike

Tis is manufactured by Custom Works.

John,

Can you post a pic?

I like the intake noise at full throttle. The valve noise at low rpm is bothersome. So what did you do? Lop off the front?

I will Frank. It's kind of crude, but it works. I'll try to get to it tonight.

John

Thank You.

What do you think you gain by doing this? Also, do you think that the side louvers that Ernie makes will help with the air flow?

I think I have gained the same thing as going topless w/o the intake noise. And no, I don't think Ernie's product does much, if anything.


John

I'm just wondering if any of our lady riders are riding topless?:eek:

Mike

Not this time of year, Scout!

;)

Well Frank, I told you it was crude, but it seems to work. I know I have lost nothing. On Sunday, one of the other V-Rodders riding with me has had his bike dynoed at 115.6 rwhp. He also has the 28T pulley. We dragged 3 or 4 times and every time I blew his doors off. We went from a standing start and from a 20 mph roll on. I would get him by at least 3 bikes every time (to 120 mph or so).

I took off about 2 inches off the snout and smoothed the edges first and then cut the ugly holes.

http://www.fototime.com/CEEE7F3445BE630/orig.jpg



John

John,

Thank you for taking the time to post a pic.:thumb

Frank

My pleasure Frank. BTW I know one guy who will be doing this EXACT mod! Right Mike?!?:goof



John

:rofl3: :rolleyes: :notworthy

I am a little deaf from being inside the turret of all those tanks early on in my officership, so I don't mind the noise so much of removing the entire thing.... But Maryland has a long cold/wet winter ahead... and the rotary tool may be calling........

Mike:cool:

John .......I'm running the pcr3, home made v-mods -020 map, KN filter and top less. So if I trim the top air box this mod will increase HP, torque? By looking at it I think that it would help direct the air flow better than running topless.

John (SP), what's your gas mileage?

Poor Val.
Last tank got me 95 miles on 2.965 gals. That's 32 mpg.


John

*sigh*

I'm getting a little better. I'm getting about 36mpg. topless, 16ga, etc.

$hit, I just oughta get over it, take my top off, stop blowing black smoke, and suck gas like there's no tomorrow, too.

(hmmm...words to live by?)

Val, If your blowing black smoke your already sucking the gas your just not enjoying it. So take that top off and enjoy it. :)

Hey, It'll probably run leaner anyway.

Originally posted by Max
Val, If your blowing black smoke your already sucking the gas your just not enjoying it. So take that top off and enjoy it. :)

Try to behave, Max, try to behave.:eek: :D

Should I have added to let the velocity stacks breath. :)

I tried to let my Velocity stack Breath Every Day!:diablo:

I was teaching a young lady to put on contact lenses and from the other room my staff was listening. They said it went like this:
"OK, hold it like this, get up close, and put it in real easy and slow. Don't be nervous, the first time it's a little harder..."
They said if they had heard a "Baby, baby, oh baby" they were coming in there.
:hiding:

:rofl3:

$hit, I just oughta get over it, take my top off, stop blowing black smoke, and suck gas like there's no tomorrow.

Val,
Just dont say Suck Gas too quickly!!!
;)
BobT

I put my top back on. Just too much clatter coming from under there. Its great at full throttle, and the response seems better, but I just couldn't stand the racket. Maybe I'll get out the ol dremel.....

Just went topless. I have Vmod 16G pipes, K&N, and Power Commander. I loaded the number 18 program. I just took it out for a ride and boy does it scream! The sucking noise is so powerful and the bike really pulls now after 5500-6000. I still have a lot more testing to do though. It's maybe 40 degrees out side and I can't feel my hands. I am hoping better weather comes-maybe 50 degrees so I can ride more. I will update as I ride it more. Thanx to the forum for the idea and the correct download!

Note on going back to "standard". The front clip, which is a bitch to resnap, if not snapped (I gave up) makes a hellatious rattle at some rpm's. Easy solution, though, lose the sucker. After trying both topless and not, I am back to standard. While is seems snappier with the top off, and I love the induction noise, the additional clicking and clacking riding around town was tooo much.

Ketsugo
How about noise after you mod your airbox. Do you feel that the noise levels are the same as before going topless?
Thanks.

NOISE!:rolleyes: Its a Fricken Harley!!What a little noise to run faster?:confused: You Guy's are scaring me a little.What ever you do don't go out to the Harley Drags!;)

Originally posted by Israeli V-Rod
Ketsugo
How about noise after you mod your airbox. Do you feel that the noise levels are the same as before going topless?
Thanks.

No intake noise with my mod. Same as stock. It's the best of both worlds (IMO).

Kaz,
My exhaust is pretty loud and I like it. I just don't care for the intake noise when topless.


John

I think it in the design of the stock throttle bodies because with my Billet setup it did not make that WHOOSHING sound!:cool:

I've been running topless for the last 600 miles and I love the sound. With the V-Modded SE's it's the best of both worlds. Quiet at cruise but when you get on it it sounds sweet. It's fun to sneak up on people then grab a handfull of throttle. Scares the heck out of old folks :)

Mark,
Scaring the sh!t out of old folks is always a plus!;)


John

i was thinking of having the velocity stacks customized and making them come completely out of the faux tank. my questions are should i drill holes through the airbox lid or should i just remove the lid completly , also will i come across any problems by doing this. any help would be great.

The length of the Velocity stacks are tuned for the bike/exhaust system.A better solution would be a Ram air intake system on top of the skin to get cool fresh air into the motor!:cool:

kaz, just noticed you replied here so im sorry for asking again in the welcome forum. so are you telling me the bike wont run right or is there a way to tune it so it will and if you answered my other thread then dont trouble yourself to respond to this one. thanks again.

The stacks have to be different length if you run pipes with non equal length tubes such as the stockers and MOST aftermarket pipes. Rinehart's and TurboTec's are two which run equal length pipes out of both cylinders. For those you need to replace the taller stack with an equal length shorter one.


John

:stupid: what he said!;)

i understand now, thanks