Air filter Removal 5th gen

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[edit] Air filter removal/installation

This is a pretty quick how-to to cover the basic task of changing your air-filter. Now, my bike has an after-market K&N so it differs just a little there, but is basically the same thing. It's a 1998 so this how-to covers 1998-2001 but is probably very similar to other years. this job is a bit easier if you don't have much fuel in the tank.

1. Assemble tools, you can use your toolkit for this job. You need an 8mm socket, either a 10mm or 12mm (I forget) and a screwdriver.

2. Remove tank. 2 bolts in front, two in back. 2 elec plugs on bottom and a couple rubber lines. Pay attention to where they are all connected.

3. Remove the screws holding the cover on the airbox. The two on front are easier if you have a longer philips head with magnetic tip.

4. Remove the old filter.

5. If you have a reusable like me, then clean it in warm soapy water and lay it aside to dry.

4. After it dries, oil lightly and reinstall. Make sure the same side is facing up as before.

5. Reinstall cover and tank in the reverse of before.

6. Go for a ride.

I just did mine on my '99, and you don't have to remove your tank. According to the Honda manual, remove the two front bolts that hold the tank down (don't touch the rear two!). The rear bolts are attached to a bracket that pivots. Next, lift the front of the tank a couple inches and REINSERT either of the two bolts...you don't have to go crazy here, just get it started about 3 turns. Now go to your trusty toolkit under the seat, grab the pin spanner and extension handle. Assemble the extension onto the handle of the spanner, and use it as a prop rod. The extension end goes down, so that the bolt you just installed is inside the extension handle. Use the inside edge of the spanner under the bolt hole of the front of the tank, and you have yourself a prop rod.

Now you can remove the air filter...unhook the vacuum line going to the vacuum diaphragm on the airbox lid, then remove the 7 phillips head screws holding the airbox lid on. For two of them you have to bend back the wire retainer and remove the wire harness (not a big deal, really). Pull off the lid, pull out your air filter, and reinstall the new one. As long as the lip of the new air filter is seated in the groove in the airbox base, you can't install the thing backwards due to the shape of the perimeter. Put your lid back on, make sure those screws are good and tight, do up your wire harness, and reinstall your tank. Done!

Just watch for critter nests. I found a mouse nest the size of a shoebox in mine. I've also read of people who let their bike sit in a barn for a while, and the mouse, um...'waste' dripped down into the throttle bodies and corroded them stuck. Yikes!

-Rickdick80