Air Intake & Fuel Delivery
About Air Intake & Fuel Delivery
This section covers everything that gets air and fuel into a motorcycle engine, from the filter at the front of the intake to the tank, lines and pump at the back. Riders shop here to service a bike that is running rough, to replace a damaged or worn part, and to change how the engine breathes.
Start by working out whether the bike is carbureted or fuel injected, because that decides which parts apply. The air side is Air Filters, Air Filter Housings, Air Hoses, Lines & Pipes, Intake Covers, Ducts & Scoops and Manifold Intake Adapters, Inlets & Joints. A carbureted bike mixes air and fuel in Carburetors, which have their own Carburetor Parts, while an injected bike uses Throttle Bodies and Fuel Injectors.
Fuel gets to the engine through Fuel Tanks, Fuel Tank Caps, Fuel Petcocks & Taps, Fuel Pumps & Sending Units, Fuel Filters and Fuel Hoses, Lines & Pipes. The rest of the system is Throttle, Idle, Cruise Control Cables & Linkages, Air Intake & Fuel Sensors and Gaskets, Seals & O-Rings.
Brands here include Athena, Bolt, Accel, Barnett and Arlen Ness. Pick your bike in the Ride Finder at the top of the page so the parts match your year, make and model.
FAQs on motorcycle air intake and fuel delivery
How can I tell if my motorcycle is carbureted or fuel injected?
Look at the engine. A carburetor is a larger body with a float bowl and a fuel hose and throttle cable attached, while a fuel-injected bike has a throttle body with an injector and a wiring connector. Your owner's manual also says which you have.
Will a high-flow filter or intake change need a tune?
Often, yes. More airflow changes the air-to-fuel mixture, so a carbureted bike may need different jets and a fuel-injected bike may need a tuner or new map. Check the maker's instructions for your model, since some parts are designed to work without changes.
What are signs of a clogged fuel system?
Hesitation, stumbling under load, hard starting and a bike that stalls are common signs. Causes include a clogged filter, a blocked petcock, a weak pump or old fuel, so check the simple items first, then follow the service manual.
Why does my bike run poorly after sitting for a long time?
Gasoline can go stale, and in carbureted bikes it can leave varnish in small passages. Drain old fuel, clean or rebuild the carburetor if needed, and add fuel stabilizer when you store the bike in future.
How often should I service the air filter and fuel filter?
Follow the intervals in your owner's manual, and service them sooner if you ride in dust, mud or heavy use. Check the filters at each service, since a clogged one restricts flow and a damaged one lets dirt reach the engine.
