Bullet Standard 500 UCE Air filter change

Anatomically speaking air filters act like lungs in your body. If we are going by analogies carburettor would become the heart. Engine the stomach headlamp the eye and so on. But let us not get carried away. Staying on the topic it is as necessary to have a clean air filter in your Bullet as it is to have a pair of healthy lungs in your body. While dirty air filter can stop the flow of air to the engine causing performance problems, a damaged air filter can let in unfiltered air which adversely affects engine life. Even though it is such an important part, the stock air filters provided with our Bullets are quite fragile and needs to be replaced at regular intervals. You can make life easier by shifting to performance air filters like BMC. However in case you prefer to have stock air filters, ensure that they are cleaned regularly and replaced every time you service your Bullet.

How to check if you need Bullet Standard 500 UCE Air filter change

Though these symptoms may occur due to other mechanical issues as well, common problems faced due to dirty or damaged air filter include:
1. Engine start problems.
2. Spark plug fouling.
3. Decrease in gas mileage
4. Soot in exhaust
5. Heavy deposit in Engine oil
6. Rough idle
7. Engine missing.
Best way to check the air filter though is to open the air filter box and have a look at it. If it is covered in a thick layer of dust that you cannot see through then you need to replace it. For Performance filters like BMC if you are not able to see its wire mesh then you need to clean and regenerate it. Usually stock air filter should be replaced every 3000 kms and Performance filters like BMC should be cleaned and regenerated every 10-15 thousand kilometers.

Tools required for Bullet Standard 500 UCE Air filter change

1. Bullet Key
2. Size 10 spanner
3. Air Filter
4. Rag

Bullet key

Size 10 spanner

Rag or a piece of cloth

New Air filter

Important parts to know for Bullet Standard 500 UCE Air filter change

Air Filter box

Air filter

Procedure before Bullet Standard 500 UCE Air filter change

1. Use your key to open the air filter box

Procedure for Bullet Standard 500 UCE Air filter change

1. Use size 10 spanner and unscrew the nut on the air filter by turning it anti clockwise.

2. The air filter plate and the air filter should come loose.

3. Remove the air filter and the air filter plate. 

4. Then using the rag thoroughly clean the insides of the air filter box. Clean the air filter box cover as well. 

5. Take the new air filter and place it in the Air filter box. There is no top side or bottom side so any direction is all right

6. Place the Air filter plate on top of the box. 

7. Center the air filter using the air filter plate 

8. Screw the nut on top of the air filter plate by turning is clockwise.

Post Procedure for Bullet Standard 500 UCE Air filter change

1. Close the air filter box with your key.
Go for a ride.
However common problems that you may encounter are given below:
1. Motorcycle has started popping since changing my air filter
You might have replaced the stock air filter with free flow air filter like K&N or BMC. Either go for larger carb jets or block the air pipe as mentioned at the end of post here
2. Motorcycle is giving less mileage, exhaust is sooty
Check if you forgot the rag in the air filter box. Rags or other articles in the air filter box block the air flow and cause complications.