Motorcycle Repair: Air filter, open cell foam, oem replacements

Question
QUESTION: Hi,
The filter elements on my CB175 are very badly clogged. I've googled all over the Internet but can't seem to find NOS or OEM replacements. Are there any substitutes thatmight work. I'm not concerned about looks, I just want to get the machine running.
Thanks

ANSWER: Not really, those have a unique paper element that would be very difficult to replicate. If it were my bike, I'd look for an open cell foam used for air filters and take some urethane glue that didn't react to gas fumes and try to rig up something.  Just be sure you get a good seal between the metal housing and the foam so you don't have any leaks where dirt could by-pass the filter.  If you try this, you'll want to lightly oil the foam so it traps dirt.  There was a guy in Canada that had a pile of NOS Honda parts.  He had a site on the Internet with an inventory list.  I'll see if I still have the list on my old computer.  I'll follow this up if I do.

Good luck
Rich

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the info and If you find that guy up north, please pass it on. In the meantime, I'll try and creatre a dilter along the lines you gave me. It a shame the the lack of an air filter may force me to buy a new machine.

Answer
I didn't find it sorry.  It's been a number of years since I was restoring my 1970 CL450. I did a quick search on ebay and there are 2 sets of those filters. They are used but look to be in pretty good shape.  There's also one left side NOS filter.   


Good Luck
Rich