Air filter

[Shasta]

Hello

I have a 98 Tourer with 5000 miles and no maintenance records.  Do you guys recommend I change the filter out even though the milage is so low?

Thanks, Matt

[The emperor has no clothes]

I think it's fine. I usually go 25k before air filter changes. And they don't look bad even then.

[Firefighter]

Manual says 12000 miles on air cleaner replacement.

[Willow]

It's about twenty years.  Look at it and decide.

Chances are your answer is no.

[..]

Hello

I have a 98 Tourer with 5000 miles and no maintenance records.  Do you guys recommend I change the filter out even though the milage is so low?

Thanks, Matt

No. If it looks cruddy blow it out with an air hose.

HOWEVER you need to change ALL the fluids including the radiator with 50/50 silicate free.

http://www.valkyrieriders.com/shoptalk/
http://www.valkyrieriders.com/shoptalk/carlbrakeandclutch.htm
http://www.valkyrieriders.com/shoptalk/carldriveoil.htm
http://www.valkyrieriders.com/shoptalk/carlcoolant.htm

Please also check the tire dates.

http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/a4047/how-old-are-your-tires-15441034/

[..]

Shasta. It's best to ask these questions on the Tech Board.

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/board,5.0.html

[Firefighter]

Caution! If you don't change that air filter at 12000 miles or try to use something besides Honda oil your engine will totally obliterate!

[Shasta]

Thanks guys.  I was thinking if it was not necessary to I would not have to pull the tank.

Better safe than sorry.  I will go ahead and change it.  Already have a new one when needed.

Thanks, Matt

[cookiedough]

I highly doubt 5000 miles in 20 years is needed to even look at the air filter.  I would go 25K miles as said before even looking at it or replacing it or cleaning it as in a K&N air filter.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Thanks guys.  I was thinking if it was not necessary to I would not have to pull the tank.

Better safe than sorry.  I will go ahead and change it.  Already have a new one when needed.

Thanks, Matt

Try to run as much gas out as you can before pulling the tank.

[Rio Wil]

No need to over maintain these beasts.  Checked my filter at 80K, blew it out at 145K after a trip to Alaska...about 500 miles of dirt-gravel roads, maybe look at again at 300K. Plugs last forever, changed first set at 100K, second set at 220K......both instances it didn't make any difference , power, mileage, starting,.....nada.
Just ride, be happy......

[Jess from VA]

I had a mouse Winter over in a Vtwin filter.

He apparently did not bail as I rolled it out in Spring.

After I fired it up (and ran it to hot) it started to stink something terrible.

I started searching (while gagging), and when I pulled the air cleaner cover, there he was, freshly barbecued in the intake.  Once it started sucking air, there was no escape for him.  

There was also a lot of bird seed and mousey poop in there.

If your bike runs with no bad smell, you're probably OK, but with such low miles, this is another angle to consider.

The trick to tank removal, after taking out your bolts (including the pectcock screw, which is JIS, Japanese Industrial Standard, not a phillips) is to lift the tank just enough to slide a small piece of 2X4, on edge, between the tank and frame.  This is as far as the fuel line will stretch (not much), and lets you work with two hands, instead of one while holding the tank up.  A headband LED lite is a good idea too (it's dark under there).  Same deal putting it back on.

Always blow a filter out from the back/bottom, doing it from the front/top just shoves the dirt in deeper.

[Beardo]

I had the same thought...critters.

Besides, it's a good exercise in getting to know your bike.