[gregwcoats]

I just bought my 2005 Shadow Sabre 1100, can I clean the air filter or must it be replaced?

 

[gdb069]

There are some after market air filters that are designed to be reused by oiling and refreshing the oil to remove trapped particles. I found them to be a nuisance and perhaps not providing adequate filtering. Honda recommends the stock air filter be replaced every 12,000 miles for my 95. Honda is very conservative in their service schedule and the schedule is designed "one-size-fits all" so Honda must cover even the worst pollution filled terrible climates. I live in a relatively clean environment and do not go out in the rain and very little dust so have extended their air filter change interval to 20,000 miles with no ill effects.

G.

 

[nraluke]

Welcome to the forum. If it's not a K&N filter that is made to be cleaned then you are better off to just replace it.

 

["Captain D"]

It being a possible 10 years old, Prolly replacement is a good thought...
I`d clean it, inspect it well and replace IF needed...
I bought a clean & rechargeable filter for mine, and service it as needed...

 

[Eagle7840]

I just bought my 2005 Shadow Sabre 1100, can I clean the air filter or must it be replaced?

I'd recommend replacing the stock air filter since it's 10 yrs old. Miles is what matters and what kind of conditions to sand and air pollutants that would cause constrictions. I replaced my newly purchased 96 Shadow's original air filter with only 8,600 miles on it because it looked dirty in spots. Honda does state that you can use an air compressor to lightly clean the filter. But I chose to replace mine with the same OEM rated paper filament from JC Whitney so I could start out brand new.

 

[steelpix]

Does the filter need to be oiled?

 

[Old Dad]

Does the filter need to be oiled?

Not the stock filters.

 

["Captain D"]

Back when I bought my Bike in 2007, performing periodic maintainance I cleaned the filter before a trip and was OK with that for the time being but it was NASTY! PLUS I didn`t know the age of it, SO...

When I replaced my air filter, I weighed my options against cost...
I chose to buy one good for a million miles (they claim) It is a fiber/cloth type, rechargeable filter...
Going on memory here, but, Honda filter was $37 Honda Buck$ and K&N was right at $50, Honda Buck$ => you decide

 

[Ramie]

You're just getting a lot of guesses without telling us what kind of air filter you have. If your not sure what it is post a picture of it.

 

[vito]

I just bought my 2005 Shadow Sabre 1100, can I clean the air filter or must it be replaced?

In a pinch, brake parts cleaner will clean a paper element filter just fine, but will dissolve any foam bits it touches, so you have to be careful.

If it looks ok, just dirty....give it a spritz and be on your way.

 

[Eagle7840]

Does the filter need to be oiled?

Negative to stock or OEM paper filters. Applying oil to those will reduce the air intake causing the carbs to run rich.

 

[gat803]

For OEM paper filters, in fairly good condition, I just use compressed air to blow them out. The paper filters (it has two) on my Venture are 6 years old with around 35K miles on them. 100% serviceable.