screen behind air filter

[alkrisma]

do other 4 strokes have a screen behind the air filter? my ktm 200 exc didn't. anyone remove the screen?

 

[HuskyDude]

I believe all have it. It's a 'back fire' screen.Mines been out since I've own my bike.

 

[alkrisma]

anyone (everyone) else take it out too?

 

[ARod2000]

Yes, took mine out and had it out for two years before selling the bike. I don't think it ever backfired either.

 

[schrode]

i removed mine on my old bikes. my newer smoker didn't have one

 

[ghte]

Yep give it the heave ho. I rekon they help let dust in.

 

[nocontrol]

That's actually the squirrel trap.

 

[sharpie1]

Call me paranoid but I have always left the backfire screen in all my bikes, it may be a one in a million chance but it could save your bike from burning to the ground.

 

[rajobigguy]

Call me paranoid but I have always left the backfire screen in all my bikes, it may be a one in a million chance but it could save your bike from burning to the ground.

I was almost one of the "one in a million" . The bike didn't burn to the ground but the filter element got charred, developed a hole and let a whole bunch of sand in which pretty much ate the cylinder and piston. Honestly, I don't think that the screen is very restrictive and serves as good insurance so in less you are using the bike as a competition only machine I would just leave it in.

 

[HUSKYnXJnWI]

I wish the screen was made "better".... the screen on my ktm is integrated into the filter cage so it has absolutely no effect on filtering. This thing concerns me... since it is split in a few places and seems to overlap and not sit perfectly flat. I have been using it with installing grease on both sides of it. Recently I inspected the grease ring and saw dust and sand at least begin to get past where the seams were. I took it off and am going without now.
I am not worried about restriction whatsoever. I would put it back on if there was a better way and I could ensure no chance of it becoming a leak. One of those dambed if you do dambed if you don't things from where I am sitting... I don't want to burn a hole in it-and dust my engine either...
I was thinking if this thing could get sandwiched between the airbox and the metal ring and sealed with silicone it may be more reliable...but I haven't checked to see if that could work yet.

 

[RLW]

Backfire screens on a couple previous bikes (XR350 & DR350) did reduce throttle response and killed about 5mph off their top end. Removing screens did improve performance and mpg.

Now while the Husky screen doesn't look near as restrictive, and I don't think it would made as much performance impact on the Husky, mine was gone after the first ride.
Seeing how poor it fit between air filter and boot on my bike, I didn't trust it to retain a good seal so I never put it back in.
I just didn't want to deal with the added hassle of having to make sure the extra surfaces are sealed and/or have concern in the back of my head wondering if the floppy/warped piece of crap stayed sealed.......and after well close to 40yrs off-road, having backfires and never having or seeing a filter burn to due a backfire (in anything), guess I'll take my chances.

 

[andyman]

Mine is bent all to heck from removing it and re-installing it after cleaning. I check the snorkel for debris/dirt/sand/etc every time I take the screen out. I've not found any yet... although I do wonder how this thing is able to lay flat enough to seal. I have considered making it permanent via some silicone.

 

[ghte]

The Husky screens are much more of a dirt filtering issue than a backfire, flameout prevention devise imho. There are also fire proof air filters on the market.

 

[petem]

The Husky screens are much more of a dirt filtering issue than a backfire, flameout prevention devise imho.

Not sure I follow. I'd have thought anything which got through the nicely oiled up foam air filter would easily pass through the gaps in the mesh screen?

Unless you meant as a last resort when some huge object has torn through the filter at high speed or the filter itself has shredded?

 

[JasonfromMN]

I removed mine because my airbox throat was a bit dirty every time I changed the filter. After I tossed it, my air box has remained clean. As far as a backfire screen, Ill take my chances.....

 

[MXRider]

Twin Air sells a filter that is designed to work without a backfire screen.

 

[Motosportz]

Hate that thing, I ripped mine out and never looked back since 04. Don't use gas to clean your filter and use the non-flammable oil if you want. I never had an issue using The PJ1 spray cleaner and oil.

 

[XLEnduroMan]

I didn't like the seal with the screen in but I did not want to run with out a backfire screen so I took snips to the screen. I held the filter cage and screen together and cut around the outline. All 4 pegs still keep the screen in place but now the filter is in contact with the air boot ring. Nice clean seal now, imo.

 

[HUSKYnXJnWI]

I wish the screen was made "better".... the screen on my ktm is integrated into the filter cage so it has absolutely no effect on filtering.

I didn't like the seal with the screen in but I did not want to run with out a backfire screen so I took snips to the screen. I held the filter cage and screen together and cut around the outline. All 4 pegs still keep the screen in place but now the filter is in contact with the air boot ring. Nice clean seal now, imo.

TahDAAAA!

That sounds like a good solution XLEnduroMan- I'll have to check that out...

 

[Backtrailin]

Backfire screen

Just curious. Does anyone know if the stock Twin Air filter on the 09 TE 250 is a back fire proof unit? Just curious if anyone has pulled the stock backfire screen for a little more flow. I did this on my 07 KLX 250 and went with the Twin Air backfire proof unit and it made a bit of difference.