Water snorkel designs ideas for my 250ES/250SX.

[dougspcs]

My brother and I like to run the more challenging trails..the more water and mud the better. But this weekend after a big rain there were a few trails that bested us!!
A couple of these trails had holes but a bit too deep and we had to haul the machines out and get their sputtering azzes running after they took a lung full of water..
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And some trails we knew to avoid all together..some that crossed rivers we knew would swamp our machines. But we knew on the other side there was excitement awaiting!!

I really would like to see a couple design ideas for some snorkels..but I really want to know if any of you guys have found a way to mount the intake on the handle bars?? I have seen a couple of snorkels that look really cool, but I don't know how I feel about cutting holes in the plastic. Especially on my nice clean OEM 250ES..

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Some great advice or innovative ideas would be greatly appreciated..

I want to find a way to go where even the 4 wheelers are afraid to go!! It bugs me no end looking down a trail knowing I need to turn back when there is a crap load of fun that way..

Help me conquer these trails would you?? The wetter the better!!!

[userj8670]

You can take the 85s in water but I wouldn't make it a habit. You will find they rust from the inside out and are not water tight. If you want to see what water did to my sx I can link you to the build thread. As to a snorkel, most people take plastic pipe and run it out from the air box and up, almost a 90 deg. bend.

[schneed]

There are a couple snorkels on the site that I have seen, so maybe search for snorkels? I think Modebrute had one, not sure though.

I've seen PVC out of the airbox and then 90 up past the tank, and it could easy put on and off. I've also seen what looked like vacuum hose from airbox along the tank to the handlebars. Here's one http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthread.php/82680-Snorkel-Finished!?highlight=snorkel

Also, others have done a good job of running all their breather lines into the airbox and using silicone or something so that water doesn't get sucked up through the breather tube.

Personally I wouldn't do it, just get some 27s all-around and lift the rear and maybe the front and that you can pretty much go anyway w/o water getting in the airbox. The snorkel won't help if your rear tires can't reach, you can't move if you're floatin anyway!

Here's a couple vids with low quality camera phone, but you get the idea what we ride through:
http://www.youtube.com/user/schneed9?feature=mhee#p/u/4/OPA63Xg9Erc
http://www.youtube.com/user/schneed9?feature=mhee#p/u/0/41GYRBnU86A

[dougspcs]

You can take the 85s in water but I wouldn't make it a habit. You will find they rust from the inside out and are not water tight. If you want to see what water did to my sx I can link you to the build thread. As to a snorkel, most people take plastic pipe and run it out from the air box and up, almost a 90 deg. bend.

I hear what you are saying, but most people who experience this rusting don't do anything to prevent it..

Mine get washed thoroughly after every ride..also I use a light pentrating oil on all the cables, linkages, and exposed metal before I put them away..

And the plastic pipe taking a 90' bend from the air box up past the tank is totally out of the question..like the one in the link 'schneed' was good enough to post is totally out of the question.

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How could you possibly operate your machine with this pipe in the way..??

I have check both the SX and ES for possible routes to take to run an air pipe..either front or back. I just can't figure how to get around the exhaust, suspension, engine...and find a clean line to run it. Either to the front or back of the machine..

Thanks for the vids 'schneed', look like fun..my machines aren't that bouyant now unfortunately. The new tires killed the floatation factor. Especially the SX with the smaller tire I've put on..I really need these things water tight!

[schneed]

Here are a few other pics I think I got from this site and saved to my computer...

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And remember this type of application would be put on for certain uses and then maybe stored on the rear racks and then hook the original tubes back up.

I can't find the pic of the vacuum hose line that ran up to the handlebars, but it still would run along the tank and probably get in the way.

[dougspcs]

Thanks 'schneed' this helps with the venting ideas for the crankcase, differential...etc.

But this is the design I will be staying away from .. how can these guys operate and feel that they have any level of control with that pipe in the way??

[schneed]

Thanks 'schneed' this helps with the venting ideas for the crankcase, differential...etc.

But this is the design I will be staying away from .. how can these guys operate and feel that they have any level of control with that pipe in the way??

I hear ya! That's why I never did it! you can't use smaller tubing, b/c they would restrict your airflow...and so back to square one :)

[dougspcs]

I hear ya! That's why I never did it! you can't use smaller tubing, b/c they would restrict your airflow...and so back to square one :)

2" ID minimum?

[schneed]

Yea I think the airbox intake port is about 2" or maybe 2.25", not sure

LOL I found this just now, now this would make it hard to ride! http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthread.php/87217-I-snorkeled-the-big-red?highlight=snorkel

another thread http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthread.php/80174-Snorkels?highlight=snorkel

[dougspcs]

I kinda like 'bigsauce's idea..mind use it but modify a bit. Maybe not that high..who needs a blind-spot like that. Also re-engineer his flex tube to clean it up a bit.

But there maybe a glimmer of an idea there..

Wonder what kinda hose he used?? Where it can be bought!!

[schneed]

Like I said before, I saw someone else with the ribbed "vacuum cleaner" hose for a snorkel (just can't remember where). They put some kind of heat resistant foam around the area of the tube that came in contact with the engine. It was much cleaner, but still kinda ugly. I think that if you got it to the ignition/handlebars, that would be high enough, don't need to go as high as bigsauce's, otherwise you're in trouble anyway!

[schneed]

I kinda like 'bigsauce's idea..mind use it but modify a bit. Maybe not that high..who needs a blind-spot like that. Also re-engineer his flex tube to clean it up a bit.

But there maybe a glimmer of an idea there..

Wonder what kinda hose he used?? Where it can be bought!!

In that post he states...


I'll try to give a basic parts list:
-2 1.5" p traps (abs)
-1.5" abs pipe
-2 1.5" female adaptors
-2 1.5" galvanized close nipples
-1/4" steel plate
-2 1.25" galvanized street elbows
-4' of pool vaccum hose
-shitload of silicone/rtv
-pipe clamps