Twin Cam 103 Harley-Davidson Air Filter Element Service

Next in line for regularly scheduled maintenance whether it's by mileage, by time, by conditions. Very important component that needs to be serviced regularly is the air filter element. This allows fresh air to be introduced to the engine. The engine can operate properly. This particular style on the Twin-Cooled High Output 103.

You can gently remove the outer cover. Set it aside. It is a nice finished component, don't allow any damage. You can then use the correct size 516s Allen. Loosen the outer chrome cover.

Make sure you keep a good firm grip on the cover, when you remove the hardware. Don't allow that cover to bounce off the floor. You can see there's a nice mesh cover on the opening of the outer chrome cover for the air cleaner assembly. Always make sure this is clean. Naturally clean the inside of the cover.

Make sure that the rubber gasket is in place. Set it aside. You can now see the very familiar shape of the air cleaner element. This shape has been used for many years. Difference on this, it's at a different angle than what we're used to seeing.

T27 Torx. I wanna start loosening both the retaining bolts evenly and then remove them with the bracket and the air cleaner element as an assembly. I like to leave that bottom bolt go last in line. I have the two tops ready to come out. All I have to do is unthread the bottom with the bracket.

Gently pull the entire assembly to the out of the motorcycle outward from the backing plate. I can then remove the bracket with the hardware, keep everything together. Make sure the hardware is cleaned, make sure it goes back together clean. This is one of those areas that torque spec is critical. I don't like any type of locking agent.

It is serviceable. I don't even like to use a light blue thread locker because it threads directly into the throttle body. I wanna make sure they're torqued correctly and that's it, call it tight. With the element away, you can see where the breather tube enters the back of the air cleaner element. You can carefully remove the breather tube from the air cleaner element.

A word about air filter elements themselves. Whether you use a aftermarket high flow element or whether you prefer the factory paper element. I always like to have two separate air filter elements. The only way to really clean this paper style element or a high flow element is to wash 'em out thoroughly, mild soap and water, rinse 'em out well and let them air-dry. I myself like to take the element needs to be serviced, put it on the shelf, put the new element the second or spare element I have into service.

This point, I'll give this one to Mark Marco bring me my good cleaned one that has been washed and air dried. And then I like to install and enjoy the weather, enjoy the ride. I can always wash out my spare element when I have spare time and let it air-dry. You can use compressed air. Always blow from the inside of the element outward.

Don't blow it towards the center of the element. But the preferred service method is mild soap, water, thorough rinsing, let it hang and air-dry. While the air filter element is off, it's an ideal time to wipe up any residual debris. Again, this isn't an area I use any type of solvents. I'll use mild soap and water.

I'll use a little glass cleaner. The breather tubes themselves, all they do is basically pull away from the breather bowl. Make sure they're clean. Obviously make sure there's a clear passage, there's no blockage. The top breather bolts are 11 millimeter.

You don't necessarily remove 'em when you service the air cleaner element as a service item. But if you need to remove 'em, make sure you use the correct size socket. Make sure you clean the threads, you seal 'em properly and you retorque 'em back to the cylinder head. I can then re-install the breather tubes. Make sure they're in their correct position with the breather tubes back in their proper position.

Now's the time to just take a moment and do a little cleaning. Again, mild soap and water or a little glass cleaner is all that's necessary. You don't wanna use any harsh chemicals. Even light solvents on a black plastic backing plate can ruin the backing plate. All you wanna do is clean it and service it.

Again, these services shouldn't take you long to do but it's not something you wanna rush through. Marco, bring me the second or the spare or the replacement air filter element. This element's been cleaned, mild soap and water and allowed to air-dry. All I'm gonna do is re-install the three bolt bracket to the element itself. You'll see it's clearly marked up.

I can then engage the breather tube to the back of the air filter rotated around until all the hardware lines up. And again, you're working over a chromed cam cover. If you feel more comfortable, put a towel there. If not, be careful. If something drops on it, it will nick or chip the chrome.

We're doing regular maintenance. We don't wanna cause any other damage. Start by threading 'em all in evenly. All by hand, run 'em down. You shouldn't feel any resistance.

The air filter element should sit flush against the backing plate. When they're all run down by hand, you can torque 'em to a final torque spec of 108 to 132 inch-pounds. Again, always use the correct torque pound setting, whether it be inch-pounds or foot-pounds. If you gonna try and torque this T27 style screw to 132 foot-pounds, I can assure you you're gonna break it off in the throttle body. Any multi-fastener component, use a cross or star pattern.

Work in increments, don't just shoot for the maximum torque value on the first time and tighten 'em all down 'till they hit torque. With the air filter element re-installed, properly torqued in place. I can now install the outer chrome cover. I've cleaned and prepped the threads on the retaining screw. Used a little bit of medium strength, blue thread locker.

Start the threads by hand, thread them in fully with the 516s Allen and then torque them to a factory torque spec of 36 to 60 inch-pounds. The cover torqued into place. I wanna just give it a quick look. Make sure that rubber seal is in the correct location around the perimeter of the cover. I can then install the decorative 103 cover to cover the hardware.

Last in line, just a little glass cleaner and a clean shop towel. I wanna make sure I wipe up any fingerprints. Also, it gives me the opportunity to double check my work. Make sure everything is in the correct location and all the components that were removed to service the air cleaner as an assembly are re-installed. Again, it's very important to work neat, work clean.

Don't just do an entire service, leave fingerprints all along the way. Clean and wipe up each component as you service it. That way there when you're done with the service, whether it's a full service or just an oil change, you're done, you double-check your work, you're ready to ride. You don't have to spend hours cleaning up from doing a preventative maintenance service.