Carbon Canisters, What Are They And How To Get Rid Of Them

By now you've probably noticed a funny looking black plastic box on the side of your bike. What is that thing? Great question, we'll tell you what it is and why you should get rid of it. 

Evaporative or carbon canisters are a device used by OEM's to meet the increasingly stringent emissions regulations of the EPA and other governing bodies across the world. The main concept is that the carbon canister captures excess hydrocarbons and fuel vapor and then returns them to the fuel tank. Sounds great in theory, but in actuality when the manufacturer is trying to optimize your air/fuel mixtures for maximum output they often have to make concessions because of these systems in order to maintain rideability, thereby reducing power - the same thing goes for your exhaust system but we'll get into that later. Besides the fact that they're ugly, cause fueling issues, and add unnecessary bulk - the fact is that unless you live in California you really don't need it! In this post we'll show you a completely reversible method to remove the carbon canister in 10 minutes with only simple hand tools.

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Difficulty: ●○○○○

Time: 10-15 minutes

Parts: None!

Tools needed: 

• 3mm allen
• 4mm allen
• Pliers
• Dental Pick, Dart, anything strong and pointy really

Step 1: Using a 4mm allen, remove the (3) screws attaching the the oil cooler cover and set it aside. 

Step 2: Using a 3mm allen, remove the single screw attaching the triangular panel and pop off the panel.

Step 3: Using a pair of pliers, slide the smaller of the two hoses from the carbon canister

Step 4: Using your sharp and pointy object, release the hose clamp and slide the other hose off of the canister. 

Step 5: Using your 4mm allen, remove the two bolts attaching the canister bracket to the engine case. Save one of these bolts, we're going to use it later. 

Step 6: Remove the carbon canister and set is aside. You will need it again if you live in California. (sucks for you, with your beautiful coastlines and twisty canyon roads)

Step 7: Using the screw from step 5, insert it into the end of the skinnier hose. Then, using your pliers, snap re-install the metal hose clamp. If yours was destroyed in the removal process just get another hose clamp from the hardware store.

Step 8: Neatly re-route the hoses as shown and secure them using the rubber strap.

Step 9: Re-install the plastic panels from steps 1 and 2 and you're done! Now, doesn't that look better?

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