dont know why no one else does this....

[cd]

item #1 - large jar/small bucket/some sort of container
item #2 - hose
item #3 - half gallon or so of gas or kerosene, i prefer gas
item #4 - cruddy air filter
item #5 - shop vac/power washer
item #6 - sunlight
item #7 - motorcycle

step uno - vac out air cleaner if needed, if possible.

dos - fill container with enough fuel to completely submerge, AND agitate the air filter, if you dont want to get gas on you, use something with tall sides or a lid

tres - agitate and drain, agitate and drain, a SHORT soak - few minutes helps. repeat process till filter stops  getting cleaner.

4 - hose that Buddha Loves You out, as best as possible

cinco - back into the gas bath, if your gas is heinos, use some fresh stuff.

5 - back to the water bath, you get the idea....repeat the cycle till you have a fresh clean nice new looking filter.

6 - luckily for gs500 owners most of the air filters will form a decent seal agains the hose of a shop vac, and you just turn the sucker on in the sun and let the vac dry it out, sunlight optional really.

7 - put it on your bike and run it. the dryer it is, the better/easier it will start. i always start mine right up and run them for a while just to make sure everything is going smooth. if your bike isnt well maintained, i would recommend finishing up with a gas dip since it will dry with gas residue instead of water.

either way, i havent ever bought an air filter, and have been riding and buying and selling and riding bikes for years, and i really dont see any reason to buy a new paper filter unless the one you have is so wrecked it wont hold up to a bath. ive been running some filters for almost 10 years, never had an issue, and it doesnt eat the paper. dont let it SIT in the gas, and dont let it stay wet, dry it fast

maybe it will help some newbs save some cash. or someone who is in a pinch with a beater/project. no reason to waste no matter what the situation is in my opinion though

[darb85]

ever seen what gas and a vaccume motor do when they mix?

[yamahonkawazuki]

unfortunately yes. although it was cool as hell to watch tho ( and i was outside)

[darb85]

unfortunately yes. although it was cool as hell to watch tho ( and i was outside)

this guy will do it at some point.  good way to lose a vacuum.  but it is cool as hell.

[The Buddha]

That stock paper filter can be washed in gas and reused ... up to 3-4 times. past that - I have not tried it. BTW is that what you were trying to say in your 3500 word essay
Cool.
Buddha.

[darb85]

That stock paper filter can be washed in gas and reused ... up to 3-4 times. past that - I have not tried it. BTW is that what you were trying to say in your 3500 word essay
Cool.
Buddha.

not everyone likes to cofuse people like you Buddha

[wreckhog]

Gas is kinda expensive. Maybe if filters cost $200, but since I am looking at swapping maybe 1 air filter a year.....

[surf.seppo]

I personally plan on using the crap gas that I pulled out of my tank before winterizing it (has a bit of water, I think -- in any case, don't want to run it through the GS). I pulled about 2 gallons, and I've been using it to clean nuts and bolts so far. Hope to do the air filter pretty soon.

[cd]

i keep all the old gas out of bikes and use it over and over for cleaning stuff. park it, let it settle, pour off the top, repeat.

i get enough out before i vac them out that its not an issue - gas/vacum

[yamahonkawazuki]

unfortunately yes. although it was cool as hell to watch tho ( and i was outside)

this guy will do it at some point.  good way to lose a vacuum.  but it is cool as hell.

shop vac shootin small fireballs out teh exhaust was friggin cool to watch. BUT destroyed teh vaccuum tho lol, but hell it was a $5 dollar unit 

[surf.seppo]

memo to self: get cheap shop vac and have a go. (Also discovered today that gas works a darn sight better than lighter fluid for the good ol' memorial day bbq's). Should do air filter tomorrow.

[lewismug]

Gas is too expensive to just use as a cleaning agent.  All of the old gas I accumulate over the year goes into a large gas can and is mixed with 2 cycle oil to run my weed-eater and leaf blower.  I haven't bought gas for either of them is the last 5 years.

[cd]

any excess i get i mix down 4/5 to 1 with gas when i know im going to burn it in  my car or bike....after i settle it out. it only lowers the octane rating slighty, every penny man

[pbureau69]

Gas is kinda expensive. Maybe if filters cost $200, but since I am looking at swapping maybe 1 air filter a year.....

so you only drive 4,000 miles a year...man...

I use a K&N, in airbox... easy clean, spray and rinse. 

[beRto]

Gas is kinda expensive. Maybe if filters cost $200, but since I am looking at swapping maybe 1 air filter a year.....

so you only drive 4,000 miles a year...man...

I use a K&N, in airbox... easy clean, spray and rinse. 

I thought the OEM air filter did not need to be replaced until 7500 miles (12,000 km)?
http://cgi.stanford.edu/~sanjayd/gs500/Maintenance/MaintenanceSchedule

[wreckhog]

Gas is kinda expensive. Maybe if filters cost $200, but since I am looking at swapping maybe 1 air filter a year.....

so you only drive 4,000 miles a year...man...

I use a K&N, in airbox... easy clean, spray and rinse. 

3 bikes, and 2 Jeeps. Almost bought bike # 4 today.......

[pbureau69]

Gas is kinda expensive. Maybe if filters cost $200, but since I am looking at swapping maybe 1 air filter a year.....

so you only drive 4,000 miles a year...man...

I use a K&N, in airbox... easy clean, spray and rinse. 

3 bikes, and 2 Jeeps. Almost bought bike # 4 today.......

humm, I got 2 Jeeps, an F250, and 3 Horses, but I guess you spread your riding around the 3 bikes.

[cd]

air filters need to be cleaned/replaced as needed, conditions are different everywhere. i get old bikes that are usually run into the ground, so i can either throw my money down the toilet, or learn how to make as much money as possible. just one of the things i try to pass on.