Total Motorcycle Community Forums

My bike seems to use an oil-foam air cleaner and the cleaning process requires soaking the air cleaner in a high flash-point solvent and then soaking in sae-30 oil according to the service manual. I had a hard time finding any high flash-point solvent so I settled for a can of acetone and also got another can of turpentine both of which I believe are low flash point solvents. Any reason not to use it, do I really strictly need to use a high flash-point solvent or do you all get by with something like acetone or turpentine for cleaning the air cleaner?

i use 100% mineral spirits (paint thinner).
dont know what affects that other stuff will have on foam rubber.
the reason for the high flash point stuff is so it will evaporate quicker.use mineral spirits wring it out and put it in the sun to dry for a few hours.

Just stop by the shop and buy some air filter cleaner and air filter oil.

Thanks for the advice. Since I already bought the acetone I'll probably just use it and make sure its dried out properly. This air cleaner has an element which itself comes out and so no rubber needs to be in contact with the solvent. If I do come across an air filter cleaner at a different auto parts store than the one I went to I'll probably get it.

Don't use regular oil, either - Use air-filter specific oil. It's stickier and traps more dirt.

Have you ever used reverse osmosis water to clean a motorcycle?

It's a straightforward shower on, wash off recipe that doesn't expect you to utilize some other solvents.

The purpose of your motorcycle’s intake system is to feed air into the engine.

A well-built air filter traps contaminants while allowing air to pass through the intake system.

Harley says to use gas or diesel in their older manuals. They also say to use motor oil.