Dirty air filter

[Colin]

As I had a few minutes to spare on to-days job list whilst I was stripping my Valk down for it's rebuild I thought I would whip the top off the air cleaner to see what the filter was like. After I found the front and rear axles well lubricated I didn't expect to find this



Unfortunately there is no date code on it but I suspect it has never been changed from new in 1996 / 17k miles.

[Pete]

Looks like it is original. Also looks like tank was never removed and cleaned under. First word that comes to mind is neglect. Definitely time for a new air cleaner and a cleanup. Have fun. Thanks Pete.

[Skinhead]

That's nothing.  Ask Romeo to show you his air cleaner,  he changes his every 10 years weather it needs it or not!

[Thunderbolt]

 

[Big IV]

I think they got the good out of that one.

[JimC]

If a simple maintenance task like that was neglected, I hate to think what your rear end gears look like.
I think I would check there soon.
Jim

[Colin]

If a simple maintenance task like that was neglected, I hate to think what your rear end gears look like.
I think I would check there soon.
Jim

Jim, I already have the rear wheel out. It was so well maintained, loads of grease of the right type, the front axle was the same. That is why I was rather surprised at the state of the air filter. It seems as though the easy things were maintained and the difficult things forgotten about. The bike is just about stripped and I have started painting and cleaning bits today.

[Big IV]

  Well, actually wheel maintenance makes sense because the tires wear out and those things then get addressed. Unless the gas tank wears out why would it need to be pulled? Oh well. Can't change the past. Clean it up, shine it up, and get ready to ride.