Modern Vespa

So I bought the items recommended by deepfraught in this threadL Full course mods meal, very healthy and energising (Post 972398)
2" to 2" silicone 45 degree elbow
2" to 3" silicone 45 degree elbow reducer
K&N 3" pod filter

Also found some heat shields on ebay to hopefully keep major water spray from filter.

All arrived this week from ebay and this morning I started the mod.

Go to bottom to see new posts with success.

With the assembly together and clamps loose enough to rotate for proper alignent I went outside to the MP3 I removed the air filter box and hose. Piaggio must use someone with tiny hands to get at those hose clamps and no thought to alignment to get a screw driver in there with tupperware in place.

On attempting to attach the 2" elbow to the air intake I found the air intake is larger than 2" and the silicone could not be streatched over it.

I put it all back together and went back to ebay. Another vendor has elbows with 2.125" or 2.25" on one end and 2" or 1.875" on other end. The 1.875" will fit the 1.5" PVC better. Everything is back together and I did not measure the air intake. I think the 2.125" will work but if anyone here knows the actual outside diameter of the intake I would appreciate a reply before I order. With a little luck I can try again next weekend.

and failure is what? Looks good at this point.

I just got my second post in ahead of you GO3. I thought it looked good at that point too.

I am scratching my head. why not use the stock intake hose and use a piece of 1.5" pvc to slide inside the end then put a coupling or pvc bushing on it to increase the OD to the pod filter size. you would only have to just loosen the clamp on the throttle body to rotate for the angle needed.

That should work--what OAD is saying sounds like what I did.
It sure looks good so far, and very curious how it sounds.
Where did you get that BLUE pipe?? Never seen such a color on PVC.

What dem guys said. You're making this way too complicated. It's the spinach that has you off your stride.

I believe the blue pipe is the silicone elbows.

When I had it off I looked at that. The end that connects to the filter box is double wall. A portion goes inside the box for a better seal and the outer portion around the sleeve on the box with a hose clamp to hold it on. It appeared that to get the 1.5" PVC inside the end would have to be cut off or some how remove the inner portion of the double wall. Does it just pull out?

I did not want to destroy the stock hose as I wanted to be able to put it back on if necessary. Bottom line I still have to buy a different reducer that is straigh not 45. I think the blue silicone hose looks good.

"The end that connects to the filter box is double wall. A portion goes inside the box for a better seal and the outer portion around the sleeve on the box with a hose clamp to hold it on."

I bot a connector that fit the filter by going to Lowes and measuring a bunch of them. Then I put it between the inner and outer pipe. The inner tube just crimped up a little. I'm sure it's getting plenty of air. See, no spinach involved.

I never got around to turning the hose for a better fit up. Just hung it from some tie wraps. Looks fine. Moans when I crank. Really SOUNDS fast.

PS: The K&N spec sheet for your filter tells you the ID.

The ID of my K&N is 3".

give me a call when you get a chance today

"The ID of my K&N is 3".

You would think that a 3"x2" reducer would take care of that, but it just ain't so. I would take the filter and the hose in to the local Home Depot or Lowes and find a plastic type of connector that would fit both. Probably end up being 2 ½ x 1 ½. Then you can make up the whole thing on the bench and only have to put the hose back on the throttle body and turn it to adjust it.

May have gotten a bit confusing here. My problem is the 2" elbow won't go on the throttle body air intake. I have ordered a 2.25" to 2" 45 elbow reducer. The 2.25 should go on the throttle body (2.18" behind the hump at the lip) The 2" will match to the 2" of the 2 to 3 reducer that matches to the filter.

If it arrives I will try again next weekend and report back. Different vendor on the elbow so hopefuly the color match is OK.

"May have gotten a bit confusing here."

Ah ha!! I understand confusion. Here's what I was thinking/talking about. Start with the original equipment hose at the throttle body. We know that fits. Find a reducer coupling that fits the other end of this hose AND the filter. It would fit between the inner and outer hoses at that end and change size to fit inside the filter. That would probably be 2"x3" actual size and be listed as 1 1/2" x 2 1/2" on the shelf. That's why I suggested taking the hose and the filter shopping with you. This way you only have 3 pieces to fit together, plus the shields. And NO spinach! I don't think it really matters what kind of material the fitting is. Nothing is going through it but air.

\
That is what Old as Dirt did. I wasn't smart enough to listen to him.

"That is what Old as Dirt did. I wasn't smart enough to listen to him."

Oh! I just thought I wasn't smart enough to figure it out for my self.

People better stop sayin' things like that about him or they'll be no talkin' to him.

He'll be like the Oracle at Delphi. Suitable offerings will need to be made by nubile supplicants to get answers to questions.

That or just buy him a beer.

http://msnemotions.org/emoticons/uploads/cutie-not-!!!.jpg

That thing doesn't work. Oh well, it's the thought that counts.

havin 1 now , thank you

I heard he's kinda spoiled an only the Alaskan will do...

I'll have 1 from the oldest brewery in the US also

I'll join you.

well I was at lowes today and so I decided to go by the plumbing dept. There is nothing there that is a 3" od that could be used to a reducer to the 1 1/2" sched 40 that fits inside of the stock intake boot. So I left there and went to my locale plumbing supply store and they do not make ANYTHING that goes inside a 3" pipe as far as a bushing/reducer execpt a floor drain. . The guys even looked at black drain pipe stuff, NOTHING.

So my conclusion is Do not buy a 3" ID filter hoping to adapt to whatever. Stick with a 2" or even a 2 1/2" filter. The K&N RB-0500 works good for using a piece of 1 1/2" sched 40 pvc inside the stock intake boot. Then putting your filter over that and over the inside portion of the boot and using 1 hose clamp to sinch it all down. then for extra I did put a 2nd clamp on where the original clamp was to the stock box just for GP's

Popeye can to 3" silicone reduceer works.

I don't like spinach though

"So my conclusion is Do not buy a 3" ID filter hoping to adapt to whatever."

Excuse me. But I think that's a little short sighted. If Fuzzy begins immediately installing a 'vette engine in his MP3, he already has an air cleaner that will do the job.

He's got to jump through some hoops to get all the pieces and parts. I feel bad for him for it. I was just saying this to make anyones else life just a little easier if they are wanting to to an air filter mod of some sort or fashion. Besides he drives a Honda Truck so no Vet in the future for him anytime soon.

It is supposed to be a surprise for Maggie Valley

Received a new 2.25" to 2" elbow that fit the engine intake fine.

Found some pipe hangers at Lowes that work fine to support the filter. The hangers have a twist in them which I straightened with 2 pair of pliers and then hammered flat. Put two bends then cut off to fit to a bolt that holds hoses behind the air filter. The hanger used is 3" size but there is a 2" also that fits the outside of a 2" filter or hose.

The 3" filter is big enough to be a little tight getting at screws and clamps and I may eat some crow here and switch to a 2". One reason for the mod is to make taking off for monthly cleaning easier.

I took a quick 30 mile ride and there is a definite perfomance improvement. Definitely gets to speed faster and quicker acceleration for passing. Did not go anywhere I could test the top end but it got to 75 mph pretty quick.

On the center stand I could not tell any difference in noise, but just accelerating up the driveway there is a major difference. More deep and throaty than the Leo Vince and louder than the Leo Vince. More of a Harley tone. I may have to consider one of the secondary mods to muffle the sound some.

I have not yet put on the stainless covers and since it is threatening rain I did not want to get too far from home without some protection over the filter to deflect water.

Darn, I wanted to see the spinach can at work. You sure this filter will stay dry riding through puddles?

I made a mistake tightening the hose clamp after eating the spinich and with the extra strength colapsed the can. There is now an Eagles Condensed Milk can in place. Since the length was already correct the reinforced rims make it stronger. It is what the blue elbow and filter are clamped to.

As shown it is not for riding in the rain. When I put the stainless guard on shown in the second post at from the top it will be protected from rain or splshes hitting it directly. I also have a hugger on. I believe this will be enough to make it OK. If not I will get one of the KN socks that will not pass water. Prior to the hugger my OEM filter cover would fill with water in the rain. With the hugger it does not happen in more and the trach like leaves and grass clippings do not find their way into the OEM filter. As O.A.D. said this is not a mod to put on without the hugger.

Glad you are making progress, and interesting to see what we are all coming up with. Looking good! I will concur that this is a mod that you will notice the power increase on. Some mods I notice nothing,--you will also notice the noise!
What about the heat shields? I note you did not put them on.
Keep posting, where ever it goes from here ( I am still tweaking mine).
I still have never seen those blue pipes anywhere and do not recall where you found them. Good find on the hangers.
You put a lot of miles on, and in a very dusty climate as i recall, so cleaning once a month is probably not too much, I tend to do it maybe every 3000 miles, and am wondering if that is going too long?

If I get a break in the rain (no garage) I'll try to mount the heat shield today. It adds 3" to diameter so it will be tight but I think make it OK to ride in rain. Bottom line I think my approach is too big a filter for the space. Last night I ordered this K&N filter: http://www.knfilters.com/search/product.aspx?Prod=RA-050V

2 1/16" flange ID
3.5" base filter diameter
3" top filter diameter
4" long
This one fits over the air intake correctly and clamps on a 2" It is similar to Dirt's but slightly smaller flange diameter to closer match a 2" pipe and a slight taper of 1/2" in diameter. I think I can use one of my heat shields to cover over 3/4 around the filter. I am thinking of trying to put some thin foam on the inside of the heat shield to absorb some of the noise with no restriction on air flow. The chrome filter top will look good under the chrome heat shield.

I bought the silicone elbow on Ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260412866300&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWNX%3AIT OD pipe to attach filter. The best 2" OD pipe I have found is a 1.25" PVC coupliing. find these in the bathroom plumbing area of Lowes. This one elbow will put the filter horizontal about 6" further forward than in my picture so accessible but better tucked in for protection from weather.

I average aobut 2500 miles a month so monthly cleaning is appropriate If I like the filter I ordered I will get a second one to have ready for the swap. Otherwise it is a long procedure off the bike waiting for it to dry after cleaning before re-oiling and installing.

For all the others looking for a way to support a filter mod the pipe hanger works well and comes in many sizes. The standard ones are galvanized but could be painted. There are also some copper ones available but my Lowes only has either small ones or the strips that have to be bent to size. For me I will stick with the galvanized as copperr left to its own devices will turn an ugly green.

OK, I got the heat shields on. I believe the filter is protected from direct water splash / spray with the heat shield and hugger and should be ok in some rain. Here are pics. Will test ride between rain events today.

Ummmmm please don't take this personal or shoot the messenger but wasn't the purpose to get rid of the ugly, bulky airbox? To my mind there are a couple of things this mod should accomplish:
Shed airbox which is a PITA to remove and clean, plus restrictive airflow.
Replace with prettier filter easier to clean and access but still protected from elements.

That's a tall bill. Perhaps your new filter on order will be a more svelte fit...

You are an artist, I am analitical. My brain does not lead to form over function and as I said above the bike rides better.

Also if you read above I said it is too large and I have already ordered another smaller one that will mount further forward. I even admit to eating crow over it. The smaller filter will also fit the function of better access around the filter and easier removal for cleaning. That one may or may not offend your artist's eye, but if it rides better and provides better access / ease, it won't be taken off.

Kind of like the argument when my wife and I buy a chair. My primary concern is comfort. She is happy to be uncomfortable if it looks good.

The ideal of course is to have both and I will consider other options of protecting the filter from rain after I get the next one installed, but I'll take my stainless heat shield over a plastic flower pot. I also would take the flower pot over going back to stock.

I will be looking for a can that can be adapted like another above but don't trust painted cardboard to hold up in wet and I ride in all conditions.

"...but I'll take my stainless heat shield over a plastic flower pot."

A simple orange clay flower pot would add a bit of Rustico Italiano to the Piaggio, and you can get them in any size.

Awww Rick - I asked nice not to shoot the messenger! Actually I am more of a functional kinda guy myself - given the choice between "git-r-done" and "spend scads of time dressing it up" - I'll choose git-r-done everytime. I also would look at this as more a performance mod than anything ad plan on doing it myself - as a matter of fact Papabear is going to give me his K&N as he changed his mind on it. But - I don't have a hugger yet so I need to think carefully on protection. I also have another idea that I'm slowly pulling together.
Anyway - yes I saw your post and if you'd look at mine note that I said your new filter would probably be more svelte (ie slimmer/sexier). Sorry if my post came across as overly critical - you know I consider all these mods as breaking new ground and sometimes there are intermediate steps to get to a satisfactory end result. Look how many iterations with the hugger to get it attached right - but in the end we have a worthy mod that looks like it belongs there. I'm sure the aircleaner mods will get there too. So pay no attention to the critics (especially art critics ) and tally ho!