SHARPENING!
THE CUTTING EDGE
OF THE
V65 SABRE!

OR

REVENGE IS SWEETER
ON A V65 SABRE!

by Doug Hathaway
4-15-00

Lets do something to add to the already awesome power of the 1984 and 1985
Honda VF1100S or as we fondly call em "The Sabres"

Oh, Oh here it comes another lesson on how to spend big $$$!

Not So, Claim I!

Follow Along my friend, and I'll relate on how I got the
most for the least that I could afford.

Do I Need To Cut Up My Sabre AirBox?

No, there is no need to drill holes, cut this or that.
Your Sabre airbox can be returned to original simply by
taking the K&N ChargerFilter out and putting the Old one back in.

Where can the K&N filter be purchased?

You should be able to get one at your favorite Auto Zone
out there for around 30 bucks or so.
The number of the one in the pictures

NM33-2050 (dimensions 10.00 x 6.812 x 1.062

New number's
That may work without to much cutting, if any.

NM33-2534 (dimensions 9.687 x 5.562 x 1.25) inches

But you are on your own here as I used the one that I could get
that we had in stock.

If Auto Zone doesn't have one they can order it in
on the next regularly scheduled Auto Zone Truck.
Normal stock truck delivers once a week at most locations.

What do I need to do this?

Here is what you will need to buy and you can get it all
at the Auto Zone when you pick up the filter.

1ea. K&N Airfilter/FilterCharger Nr. NM33-2050 AutoZone
Price $ 33.99
or
1ea. K&N AirCharger/Airfilter Nr. NM2534 AutoZone
Price $ unkown at this time.

1ea. Permatex Black Silicone Adhesive Sealer Nr. SS1768
Price $ 3.99

1ea. AutoZone Nr AZ4 Carburator Cleaner
On Sale Price 2 for $ 1.68

Do you have to cut the AIRCHARGER down or what?

Yes, You do! But I just used a sharp pocket knife to do so.
There are no modifications made to the airbox, only
to the airfilter itself.

At this time the NM2534 has not been tried out.

Step # 1

Get your Airbox out of the V65 - Down to the two large screws
in the bottom at that level with the metal screen. It will
come out in one piece if it is the 1984 V65 with the two air
inlets on the sides. I don't know about the 1985 airbox with
the single front air intake. More on this later as I have one
ordered.

Step # 2

Take it apart and remove the old foam and the two metal
support frames.
What I used of those parts were: the top Metal support frame
and of course both the upper and lower plastic airbox parts,
screws and the little spooge collection nipple.; Then I
cleaned up the metal frame and the plastic with engine
degreaser and hot water and a scrub brush. Follow that with
carburetor cleaner and the brush again. Until it is
entirely free of oil and crud inside and out.

Step # 3

Now set the plastic aside and using the metal frame as a
pattern from the top of the filter. You will be able to
visualize what you must remove, from both long ends... but
remember that the lower airbox is angled and does not go
straight down. The secret is to slide the filter to the
rear after you cut off both ends, but leaving the
main filter frame intact, and then fill the exposed end
with the adhesive/sealer when done with all the rest.

Step # 4

If you have cut the ends off to the main filter frame then
turn it TOP SIDE DOWN and place it on a large flat cutting
board and count in to the second flute (closest to the
cutting board) and with a sharp knife cut through the second
flute for the length of the filter and cutting the main
square filter frame through at both ends. Now do the other
side and you should be ready to trial fit.
You will have to bevel the corners a bit. Try not to bend
the flutes to much.

Do Not glue the bottom side of the filter in place
We
don't want the glue to flake off and go through the metal
screen and into the engine.

Step # 5

Now with the filter in the lower airbox with one end resting
on the angled end, gently press the filter an equal distance
down all the way around. (It helps to use the Top Metal
Frame to do this with.) When it is level to your
satisfaction remove the metal and with the Black
Adhesive/Sealer flow in a 3/16 fillet all along the top
edges of filter and actually gluing it to the sides of the
airbox lower. Making sure that there are no open holes for
the air to flow around the filter. Now gently press the
metal frame into the adhesive watching that no large globs
of the stuff gets on to the working surface of the filter.
When it is in place to your satisfaction, wet a forefinger
and smooth the adhesive into a fillet, adding a bit of
adhesive if needed. Don't worry about the angled end of the
airbox end where there will be a gap. You can fill that in
about 15 to 20 minutes when the rest of the adhesive has
almost formed a skin on it.

Step # 6

Clean up and admire your work, when you think that it is
still wet enough you can add more adhesive to the gaps at
the angled end and fillet them in to please yourself. When
you are satisfied that all gaps are filled and that no air
can leak past the filter then place the Top of the airbox on
the lower and secure in place with the two locks in front
and the two screws in the rear. This is so that we can
assure that we haven't warped the lower case to the point
that the top will not fit. Okay, now set it aside for
about 16 to 18 hours and let it cure.

All right here comes the question...

But Doug, you have glued the airfilter into the airbox.

Yes we have! But if the job is
done as described the metal frame will set onto its little
stop ridge and after this adhesive has dried it will be a simple
matter to just score a line with a pocket knife completely
around the fillet and with some gentle pressure from the
bottom side, it will pop loose if you want to take it out.

Though why you would want to is beyond me. With the K&N
cleaning kit and reoiler you can do the service work with it
still in place in the airbox.
but off the bike.

Cleaning Your K&N AirCharger!

Spray on the cleaner from the top side let it set for awhile
and then back flush with warm water from the bottom. Let it
dry while you service the rest of the bike and then respray
with the oil from the kit and put it back on the bike and go
ride.

More on K&N airfilters for the V65 Sabre Link

The text in the link borrowed from the SabMag BBS
where a question on K&N airfilter for the V65 Sabre
is answered by Dave Dodge - DRP.

Also the K&N filter, part # 33-2034 will fit.

For more info on the issue go to the Sabmag FAQ