Air Filter Change

[mackys_dad]

I changed the air filter on my 1996 GSF600S recently.
 The old filter had small foam gaskets in grooves on both sides of the old filter.  The gaskets fell apart when I tried to remove them, and the new filter didn't have replacements.
 I installed the new filter without gaskets.  It fit into the air box very tightly, so I thought it would be OK. Now the engine is very slow to warm up and stumbles a bit when coming off idle.
  Am I getting a air leak and running lean because of the missing gaskets? 

[andrewsw]

does it get worse or better as the bike warms up?

if it get's better, then it's a lean problem and your diagnosis sounds right. Maybe a little judicious use of duct tape around the edge is in order?

[mackys_dad]

It does get better after about 5 miles of fartin', wheezin' & buckin'.
If it cools down for 30 minutes it starts the whole thing again.

I will try the duct tape idea, or maybe a couple of thin beads of silicone sealant.  It sure is a PITA to take the tank off again!

Thanks for the feedback.

[snofrog]

do you have a jet kit as it sounds about normal for a stocker with a fresh filter ?

[mackys_dad]

Hey Snofrog,
I bought this bike used, so I can't be sure it doesn't have a jet kit.

You may be right though.  It might be normal.  The old filter was so clogged up you wouldn't believe it.  It had a good sized mouse nest in it and a big dead hornet.  The only place I could see any light through the filter was a place about the size of a quarter where the mouse had chewed the filter paper.

I'm ashamed to admit it, but I bought this bike 2 years ago and this is the first time I've opened the filter box.

[snofrog]

so how did this turn out ? did it smooth out with duct tape ?

[mackys_dad]

so how did this turn out ? did it smooth out with duct tape ?

Snofrog, I haven't tried it yet.  Six days after my last posting on this topic I crashed my Bandit pretty hard.  Check out my topic in General Motorcycle for the gory details.