How To Clean A Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Air Filter (And When You Should Replace It, Instead)

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Most Harley-Davidson lovers will tell you there's nothing quite like riding the Fat Boy – and to be fair, they're not wrong. Though it's one of the most difficult Harley-Davidson motorcycles to ride, especially for beginners, it's a fan favorite because of its beefy bulldog-like stance and powerful engine appeal. Plus, it's quite reliable, though this can be easily cut short if you don't keep your bike properly serviced and maintained.

That said, while it's best to leave technical maintenance to pros, as an avid rider, you should always be able to conduct basic maintenance. One of the most important yet simple tasks one can handle on a Fat Boy is cleaning an air filter. Generally speaking, you can never expect your body to handle tough tasks if you don't have healthy lungs. This applies to motorcycles, as well. If the air filters are clogged, your bike's MPG and performance will go down. After all, the main task of air filters is to keep dust and bugs from entering the deep depths of your bike's engine.

As a result, grimy air filters will degrade over time, and you'll want to clean them regularly. But how often will depend on your driving conditions and habits. Well, if you're tackling dusty paths, you should clean your bike's filters after every ride. Conversely, if you're street riding, experts recommend cleaning every 5,000 to 10000 miles. But how do you clean the air filters of a Harley-Davidson Fat Boy? 

If you have a mechanic's tool kit in your garage, you'll be interested to know that cleaning your bike's air filter is an easy DIY project that even beginners can handle. However, though this task might be simple and quick, you'll want to be extra careful, as one small mistake could translate to an expensive repair.

That said, if you want to give your Fat Boy a proper cleaning, you should prepare before you get started. You will need an Allen wrench and a cleaning kit, such as the K&N Air Filter, which is available on Amazon for $27. You'll also need paper towels and maybe gloves. Once you're ready, it's important that you turn off your bike and let it cool for some minutes. Then, pull out the filter, but you must be extra careful with this step; you don't want to damage any of the surrounding components.

While at it, conduct a simple visual inspection and check for cracks, tears, or damage. This will help determine whether you need to clean or replace your air filter. Once you're satisfied, go ahead and fully cover the filter with the cleaning spray and let it soak for a few minutes to dislodge dirt and grime. After that, rinse the filter with low-pressure clean water from the inside out and let it dry. Just keep in mind that too much heat and compressed air will damage your air filters. Once dry, respray the filters with oil and let it be absorbed before reinstalling the filters onto the bike.

If you clean your bike's air filters as recommended, they'll generally last for a long time. Performance air filters will even last much longer than regular air filters, as they're made of durable and often reusable materials. On that note, experts recommend that you replace your Harley's air filters after every 20,000 miles or at least once a year, whichever comes first. However, this can vary since good driving habits and proper bike care will stretch that time frame slightly.

Now, while going by mileage works as a general rule, you should also look out for other signs to know whether it's time to replace your bike's air filters. Air filters with holes, tears, or frayed edges are clear indicators for replacement. Furthermore, you can't expect an air filter to trap dust and debris if it's totally worn out. If the filter is dirty, clogged, or remains oil-saturated even after a thorough cleaning, you'll also want to purchase a new one. In some cases, your Fat Boy will also display some early warning signs that you need to clean your air filter. These include a drastic reduction in gas mileage, a drop in performance, or poor acceleration.