I just got (two weeks ago) a CL350 as a first bike and a project. The air filters on the bike are completely shot and I was not able to get OEM ones, so now I have NOS filters like these: http://www.knfilters.com/search/product.aspx?Prod=RC-0412. They are not the same shape as the originals, and the original filter box is half filter/half outer cover. They are the right filters for the bike. The questions are:
1. Has anyone used these aftermarket filters on his/her bike?
2. If so, how did you fabricate covers for the filters?
I've never used those filters but I feel your pain with the old ones being destroyed. I had an extra set that I experimented on. You can replace the filter element on your old ones if you're feeling ambitious and are handy for very little money.
Here's what you do:
Go to the auto parts store and find the biggest, roundest american car air filter you can, the kind that go on older carbureted cars or trucks. The exact kind doesnt matter but you want one that is around the same width as your 350's filters (around two inches? I don't have one in front of me but it's about that size). It doesn't matter because you'll be cutting it apart anyway. If it's too wide, you can scrunch it down and chop it to the right width.
So take your old 350 filters and use a utility knife to cut the paper filter element out of them. They'll come apart and be in two halves. sand and clean all the paper remnants and glue off the insides of the metal. Then use the new filter element you cut out of the sacrificial filter you got from the store and test fit it around the perimeter of the 350's metal filter halves. You'll be able to use some blue RTV sealant (like $5.00 for a tube at the auto store) to glue the new paper accordion in place where the old one used to be. Just glue it into one side, let it dry, and then sandwich the other side on top with more RTV, and put a dictionary on top of it over night. If you're careful and take your time and measure everything right, you'll basically be rebuilding your old filters and you'll be good to go. Just make sure you go around and fill in any little gaps or spaces with more RTV so you get a proper seal. I did this and it worked perfectly.
