42mm Chrome Pod Air Filter (Ebay) By Evilgenius (Read 2,235 times)

[Evilgenius]

Product: 42mm "Chrome" Pod Air Filter

Vendor: Ebay vendor cenn2010: stores.ebay.com/cenn2010/_i.html?rt=nc&_dmd=2&_sid=1010406590&_trksid=p4634.c0.m14.l1581&_pgn=5
Seems to focus on small odds and ends bike/scoot accessories. Lots of air filters and some sweet-lookin' hand grips, at what appear to be low prices.

Price: $7.99 w/free shipping (A.K.A. "Dirt cheap") ;D

Picture: (Not actual)


Delivery/Packaging: Item was in a box, in bubble wrap, in gray plastic baggie. Cheapest of the cheap, but it got here just fine, in a reasonable time frame. Shipment was dispatched PDQ after payment. Blue plastic film to protect the shiny bits, which is cosmetically nice at least.

Construction: Uber-soft chrome-y metal for the most part. Mesh and fiber for the filter area. Rubber snout.

Quality: Big concerns here! Any unsuspecting scooterist that puts this on "as is" will be in for a world of hurt. Seals on this "filter" are so bad, you might as well just put a spaghetti sieve on your intake. Gaps at the snout/body mating surfaces and all the way around the bottom/top of the filter element/mesh. Snout rubber was warped to 38mm diameter on one axis (supposed to be 42mm round). Had to chamfer and buff the tip of my ghetto intake tube in order to get it started on so it would stretch back out.

What makes it cool: It's cheap. It's shiny. It fits (after much coaxing).

What makes it suck: It's cheap. So cheap in fact, that installing this without modification would likely result in grievous harm to your engine.

Comments: Well, I've already got $8 sunk into it, and my jets are here too, so I'm going to make this work. A judicious application of sealant around the snout/body mating surfaces and the top/bottom of the mesh to plug the gaps should render it serviceable until I can get a better quality replacement. Not sure what I'll use to seal it up, but I'm sure it'll jump right off the shelf at me when I get to the parts house. ;D

Conclusion: Don't buy one of these unless you're willing to trade your time and sealant to make it right. Spend a little more and get a better one if you want to avoid the headache.

[JR]

Thanks Evil! Now guys and gals this is why this section was added. A review like this is extremely valuable!

Not only did Evil lay this out very well but was fair to the supplier and to any potential buyer of this product.

Thanks Evil!

JR

[cruiser]

Excellent write up, Evil. This format should be used for all product reviews.

[Evilgenius]

Absolutely fair to the vendor - no complaints with them, really. They held up their end. When all's said and done, this is (will be) still a shiny and functional air filter to my door for a meager 8 simoleans and a little TLC with the silicone. One can't quite complain at getting that for less than a decent plate dinner. Still a respectable budget upgrade for sure. Especially if you have plenty of free time and a tube of silicone laying about the garage.

[alleyoop]

Excellent Review of the product and why it is so cheap to begin with and possibly how to make it useable.
Alleyoop

[scooterelements]

I have that filter at my store and honestly i have probably only sold 1 in 2 years. i have them just incase someone wants one but they are crap. i dont even have them listed on my site.