My 350 AJS currently has just a mesh covered intake on the 376 monobloc filter and I have been wondering if it might be an idea to fit a proper air filter to save wear and damage to the engine.

If so which would be better, a chrome pancake with paper filter like this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/321657925837?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2648&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Or a K&N type cone filter attached to an adapter liker this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261504367267?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2648&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

and

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251859967712?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2648&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Any comments and advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

I ran a K and N style on my C15, bought from China on eBay, £4 including postage.

Worked well and easy to clean/oil.

Cheers the noo Brian

OK my advice is fabricate a proper airbox from alloy and use a filter foam off a modern bike that are readily available. I use TY250R and the cage but Scorpa Sherco etc are fine. Personally i wouldnt touch the cone type foam or K&N type and am astounded that people mention reducing wear on the engine they scrimp on the air filter to save pennies but as they say round these parts "theres nowt so funny as folk"

The paper filters don't like getting wet in my experience.

I use one of these:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AIR-FILTER-POLINI-VARIOUS-SIZES-32-37-46mm-STRAIGHT-INLET-WITH-WATERPROOF-COVER-/311082987884?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item486dfdb16c

Being foam you oil them like a modern bike with sticky air filter oil, it's amazing how dirty the oil is when you wash it off with petrol.

There are other exposed foam filters that work well and are cheaper, but on the Ariel the filter is right under the back corner of the tank and water was running off straight onto the filter. I've had no problems with the covered filter.

Thanks for all the comments, they've confirmed some of the conclusions I'd come to. I'm still not sure which option to go with yet though.