good idea or bad?

[KrisCarr]

I removed the air box from my honda and went to put aftermarket filters on to discover that I lacked the clearance. So I started thinking of alternative options and came up with this...

[KrisCarr]

I cut some fine scotch brite and some screen door mesh into circles a little larger than the carb throat

[KrisCarr]

and clamped them over the cut down rubber boot

[KrisCarr]

it won't stop water but should stop debris. thoughts? should I source out a proper filter to fit my application?

[Hans]

Probably bad.  That screen will stop rocks and not much else.  Also removing the airbox goofs up the jetting pretty good, lot of times when you go to pods or just velocity stacks it'll run really bad right off idle and sometimes on top as well.

[KrisCarr]

good to know. I'm not a motorcycle mechanic so I don't think about those things.

[KrisCarr]

so what's the suggested course of action? I really don't want to put the factory air box back in as my wiring is now occupying that space. Jet the carbs? maybe restrictor plates to cut down some air flow? you don't have this issue with cars

[Hans]

run it, see what it does.  Go from there.

[KrisCarr]

9kay so I got the fuel leak all sorted out and dumped some fresh premium in the tank. it's been sitting in a garage for the last 4 years so I cranked it over until the new battery died. then I hooked the battery charger up and cranked it for another 5 minutes and it finally chugged to life. After a few minute the idle steadied out and she seems to run just fine.... with the choke on. unless I'm operating the choke wrong as soon as I uncork it she stumbles and dies. choke on and it idles just fine and revs up nicely.

[Hans]

If it only runs on the choke, it's likely the pilot jets are gummed up.  They are the smallest jet, so they tend to get gummed up first by old gas left sitting in the carbs.  Be a good idea to strip down the carbs and give everything a good cleaning.  If it's your first time, do them one at a time and take lots of pictures as you do it so you can refer back to them as you build them back up.  Stealing the wife's muffin tin works great for keeping parts organized.