Hi,
My name is Dan from Ramair Filters. I felt it appropriate to post our position on the R3 filter kit that we manufacture and supply.
It goes without saying we are aware of the reported failures linked to the split in the necks of some of the R3 filter elements supplied. It is clear that the failures are not following a pattern of material defect or breakdown. We have our polymer batch tested, traced and tracked through our in house production process. The material is also batch traced by our material manufacturer should we ever need to refer back to them in the case of a major material failure. We are 100% confident that the failures we are seeing do not relate to the polymer itself.
So logically we can move on the moulding process and determine if there is a defect in the mould itself. We have two types of mould, one master and three silicone slave moulds. The slaves are renewed upon inspection, mainly due to surface finish. We have satisfied ourselves that the moulds are functioning correctly and that the cure process of the polymer is behaving as expected.
Finally we are left with two other possible stumbling blocks, one being the design itself the second being fitment and treatment.
Design
With the quantity of units now in circulation and age of some of the oldest elements it is hard to pin down solely a design issue relating to the failures incurred. This is of course unless we are looking at changing the design to counter incorrect fitment.
Fitment & Treatment
We have seen a number of failures that are relating to the filter not being fully pushed home over the intakes. Consequently we have seen this resulting in either the over tightening of the clamps themselves or the tightening of the clamps onto the extreme edge of the bell mouth. Thus meaning that the clamp is only partly pulling down and effectively acting as a slice to the neck of the filter. Another failure has been due to chemical contamination, the filter in question caused us such concern upon seeing it that we immediately sent it to the chemist responsible for our material. Her reply was that the material had been in contact with a rather aggressive agent (possibly for lubrication or cleaning). This client’s filter was still replaced out of goodwill.
We are a small and professional company, it is not in our interest to supply a knowingly defective product and or material. It is also not in our interest to make any enemies along the way of doing business, which is why in many cases we will replace single units under goodwill (filters that is, not full kits). If it were not for the amount of units out in the R3 market that we have no reported issues (including Triumph dealers) on and that have seen some large distances covered (including the prototype) then we would of course have recalled the product some time ago.
For the peace of mind of all concerned I would invite any owner wishing to lend their bike to us for a day or two to contact me directly (
dan.mullan@ramair-filters.co.uk). We can then revisit the step by step guide and also see if we can factor into the design anything that may help prevent fitment issues. It is in all parties interests here to find a solution to this kit that allows it still to be fitted at an amateur level and not push the price out of a realistic market expectation.
This is a statement on behalf of the company and I will not be in a position to monitor this or any other forum posts. I can be contacted on the email above for anyone wishing to contribute or comment moving forward.
Best regards to all.
