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[BobP]

When I was inspecting the air filter during my 15k service, I noticed that the blue 'plastic' portion of the filter that contacts the back plate was coming apart apparently due to the residual oil.

[spydglide]

When I was inspecting the air filter during my 15k service, I noticed that the blue 'plastic' portion of the filter that contacts the back plate was coming apart apparently due to the residual oil.

[Hilts]

BobP,

I have some experience with this issue.  I have an '05 seeg.  It had the SE filter installed at the time of the sale and a replacement about 9k miles later.  The box the replacement came in had a very small slip of paper indicating "Do Not Oil".  I found this rather unbelievable, since Harleys route their crank case breather through the filter backing plate.  I started checking the filter often and the second one showed a noticable amount of decay within 5k miles.  I'll bet the bad portion of your filter is on the bottom when it is mounted on the bike.  Any residual oil/gas mixture on the backing plate will eventually drip down onto the bottom edge of the filter when parked.  My very nice dealer eventually replaced it under waranty with a K&N element, but I doubt HD approved.

Hilts

[BobP]

Hilts,
You are correct about it being the bottom of the filter where the decay takes place.  It is the blue 'plastic' that is affected.  H-D didn't do a very good job in choosing this material because of the interaction with the oil from the crankcase breathers.
My understanding is that the paper elements have a smaller 'grid' for the air to pass through than previous filters.  If one were to coat it with oil, it would essentially block air from passing through.  
Are others having problems with this filter as well?

[Grover]

  I was told by a dealer that the MoCo wanted K&N to produce all the filters for all their bikes. K&N supposedly told the MoCo that they don't have a large enough facility to keep up with HD's production #'s
The MoCo then decided to go to a with a different vendor. Another fine move on the MoCo's part. HD should reimburse you in full. A tech at my dealer says these filters are nothing but a pain in the A$$. And wishes that the MoCo would have stayed with K&N.

Good Luck,

Grover

[WaSEEG]

The blue edged filter has been replaced with a black edged filter.

[grc]

Suggestion to all with the paper element in their SE air cleaner - buy a real K&N filter element and throw that paper crap in the weeds.  Part number (K&N) HD-0800, approx. $50.  You can also order one from Zipper's, either standard size or the deeper, higher flow model.  

Jerry

[Unbalanced]

Replace that crap paper with

Zippers either size
Ness Big Sucker element
K&N's element

Mine was 2 weeks old and nearly as bad they gave me the black one and it tore apart too.

Harley makes more money selling paper since the K&N's lasted too long.  Yet it would seem it costs them more to keep replacing poor quality products .. go figure.

[hd-dude]

The black edge filter from HD is crap as well. It comes apart too [smiley=thumbdown.gif]. I agree with others...get the K&N or Zippers element

[grc]

[Grover]

Grover,

I heard the same story about Harley wanting K&N to provide all their filters.

[AUSSIE_FLSTFSE]

My original SE stage 1 filter element was or is a genuine K & N filter (black rubber & purple filter material)

Cheers
Aussie

[jimp]

[The Mysterious Q!]

Just go with the Zippers or equivalent and you don't have to worry anymore.My .02