Factory air box versus non-K&N pods

I've got non K&N pods on the bike now. I have the stock airbox and only need the air filter, a air boot and boot clamp. I'm wondering if the increased backpressure of the original set-up would help the idling and low end power.

 

Airbox boots
http://www.xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=18757.html

And yes. It would. Did you rejet when you put the pods on? cause if you did you're gonna have to rejet again for your airbox.

 

With all due respect to those who love their pods they are an absolute bear to tune around and get your bike running right.

As Chris said you my need to go back to the stock jets.

 

Actually, it still has the stock jets. Plugs were tan until I noticed that the mixture screws were all way different from each other. They are all the same now, but running too rich. I need to fine tune the mixture to get my tan plug color back.

 

I think I'll put the stock airbox back on after I acquire the missing boot, clamp and filter. Another benefit is that I won't have to worry about getting caught in a downpour and having the pods become soaked and the engine dying.

Or maybe I will just get the Virago shown below. Looks like it would be fun to ride around town. Definitely would get some looks

 

Well, I tried to get the pic of a Virago to post, but it's not letting me.
Maybe the file size is too large.

 

Checked the file size and it's only 55 kb. Pretty small for a pic. Most likely it's a file type that's incompatable with xjbikes posting system.

 

To post in a forum you have to size it 500x500 max. They can be larger in your gallery.

 

Well, I got the Virago pic to post. Now I'm unable to delete the two postings that follow. The delete function has disappeared.
Apparently after someone else posts, you can't remove your last post.

 

This is my 1982 XJ650J with only 18K miles.
Paid $350 for it last September off of Craigslist. Needed lots of TLC.
New battery,right side cover was sanded and repainted red, mirrors, turn signals and brackets. carb kits, air filters, new fuseblock, and alot of new nuts and bolts.
New valve cover gasket and bolt washers.

Did Valve adjustment, carb sync, complete disassembly of carbs.

And Lots and Lots of cleaning.

 

Ive just done a few mods to my 81 XJ550. Ive totally removed the airbox and fitted some K&N Type filters. The space where the airbox once lived will soon be home to a small oil catch tank.

Im still running stock jets for the moment but will be sorting them in the next couple of weeks. She seems to run OK, acceleration is much better, mid range torque is better, ticks over nice and smoothly, however is an absolute cow to start. I have to have choke fully open, throttle open all the way and the petcock on purge to get her to start and I nearly flatten my battery every time. Probably due to more air getting in and insufficient fueling.

 

The problem you are just beginning to discover is this: CV Carburetors are designed to utilize a finite volume and therefore velocity of intake airflow.

Pods allow virtually unrestricted airflow.

CV carburetors can't handle that, and won't work properly through the whole range from very small throttle opening to WFO.

You can tune until you're blue in the face and you'll never get to 100% of the rideability of the original configuration. There WILL be trade-offs somewhere. Welcome to the seventh circle of Hades.