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The first man stepped foot on the moon’s surface in 1969, was it mere coincidence that The World’s Best Air Filter was invented that same year?

Conspiracy theories have circulated about the 1969-1972 moon landings since the mid-1970’s. Conspiracists claim that NASA faked some or all of the Apollo moon landings in order to win the Cold War era space race. A French author, Philippe Lheureux, took it one step further when he alleged that NASA put men on the moon, but faked the photos to keep others from benefitting from the scientific information they discovered. Could the high-flow air filter technology used in the World’s Best Air Filter have been reverse engineered from alien technology found on the moon?

K&N founders, Ken Johnson and Norm McDonald (K&N), were unhappy with air filter technology of the 1960’s which led to the birth of the World’s Best Air Filter

It would be amazing if K&N could say the alien technology rumor was true, or if we could substantiate other rumors about the origin of the World’s Best Air Filter. But sadly, we cannot make that claim. In 1969 air filtration technology was limited to disposable and restrictive engine air filters. K&N founders, Ken Johnson and Norm McDonald (K&N), were avid motorcycle desert racers who became irritated with restrictive air filters that quickly became clogged with dirt and could not be cleaned. Their frustration inspired innovation and the washable / reusable K&N High-Flow Air Filter was born. Does this completely discredit profiting from alien technology or the use of a bloody sock pulled off an injured racer in the California desert? No, but the men in black suits have instructed K&N not to say any more.

In commemoration of the 45th anniversary of the first steps on the moon, K&N would like to salute the brave men and women who did what others, to this day, said was impossible. High-definition photos taken by the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter provided the first images of Apollo equipment left on the moon in 2009 and essentially squashed the claims of conspiracy theorists. However, the origin of the World’s Best Air Filter remains an unsolved mystery.

The ever popular Honda SH150i scooter and its sibling the SH125 were redesigned for 2013. The SH150i and SH125 place fuel economy at the top of their priority list and these scooters deliver as promised. That’s not to say the SH150i and SH125 can’t also be fun to ride. These scooters are equipped with liquid cooled and fuel injected four-stroke engines tuned to provide usable horsepower and torque.

K&N Replacement Air Filter for 2013 to 2014 Honda SH125 and SH150i

K&N has released a new washable air filter that's reusable part HA-1513, to meet the performance demands of these scooters and their owners. This High-Flow Replacement Air Filter is pre-oiled and ready to ride. K&N’s HA-1513 replacement air filter is specifically designed to fit into the stock air filter assembly of 2013 to 2014 Honda SH150i and SH125 scooter models.

Flow Chart for K&N 2013 to 2014 Honda SH125 and SH150i Air Filter HA-1513

K&N High-Flow Replacement Air Filters are performance designed to provide increased airflow, resulting in increased acceleration and throttle response while providing excellent filtration. Fuel management changes or additional modifications to your SH150i and SH125 are not necessary to obtain increased performance.

Some might be worried that an increase in airflow comes at the expense of filtration efficiency and engine protection. K&N performs filtration efficiency testing following the ISO 5011 protocol to guarantee that our air filters will provide high airflow without sacrificing engine protection. Click here to view the detailed test results.

Perhaps more exciting than the increased performance that comes with a K&N High-Flow Air Filter is that they are also washable and reusable. The ability to wash and reuse a K&N air filter means that it will pay for itself over time. Part number HA-1513 can be washed and made like new using one of the K&N Recharger air filter service kits.

Covered by the famous K&N Million Mile Limited Warranty®, and made in the USA, K&N’s HA-1513 will be the last air filter your 2013 to 2014 Honda SH150i and SH125 scooter will ever need. HA-1513 is designed to be installed without any need for modifications or tuning in the following scooters:

2014 HONDA SH150I 153 – All
2014 HONDA SH125 125 – All
2013 HONDA SH150I 153 – All
2013 HONDA SH125 125 - All

For all K&N Honda SH125 and SH150I air filters visit the Honda SH125 Air Filters and SH150i Air Filters pages on KNFilters.com.

Between 40 and 50 years back the Japanese motorcycle industry looked much different than it does today. Manufacturers like the Honda Motor Company produced small displacement motorcycles which appealed to, and could be purchased by, young first-time riders. The Honda CB series is perhaps one of the most well-known and loved lines of classic road-going motorcycles. In an age when motorcycles, specifically those made by Harley-Davidson, were associated with outlaws and troublemakers Honda chose to appeal to the masses with an ad campaign that stated "You Meet the Nicest People on a Honda."

K&N high-flow air filter number HA-5013 is engineered to increase airflow while also fitting inside the stock 2013-2016 Honda CBR500R, CB500F, and CB500X air box

Fast forward a few decades and it became clear that Japanese motorcycles had advanced in different direction. The simple universal Japanese motorcycles had been replaced by high-powered race worthy sportbikes. For years the only sport inspired motorcycles offered in the U.S. less than 600 cubic centimeters were the small Ninja 250 and 500 models from Kawasaki. With an exponential increase in demand for entry level sportbikes, Honda finally brought fun, easy to ride, sub 600 cc motorcycles back to the U.S. market.

Flow Chart for K&N 2013-2016 Honda CB500F, Honda CBR500X and Honda CBR500R Air Filter HA-5013

One such series of motorcycles is the sporty Honda CBR500R model, the CB500F naked bike, and the adventurous CB500X. The 471cc liquid-cooled parallel twin engine is capable of producing 47 horsepower and maintaining a linear powerband. As owners of Honda CBR500R and CB500 motorcycles become comfortable with riding, they begin to search out ways to re-kindle the excitement they first felt when swinging a leg over their bike.

Here to help boost performance of the 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 CBR500R, CB500F, and CB500X is a world famous high-flow replacement air filter from K&N. A K&N high-flow replacement air filter is different from stock in that K&N uses cotton gauze filter media woven to exacting specifications. Cotton, by nature, is more breathable than the paper or foam media used for most motorcycle air filters. Since an internal combustion engine is essentially an air pump, getting more air into your engine can increase performance, acceleration, and throttle response.

Some might be worried that an increase in airflow comes at the expense of filtration efficiency and engine protection. To put minds at ease K&N performs filtration efficiency testing following the ISO 5011 protocol to guarantee that our air filters will provide high airflow without sacrificing engine protection. HA-5013 was shown to have a 99.44% overall filtration efficiency when tested with ISO coarse test dust. Calling this test dust coarse is almost preposterous, as 22% of the dust is rated at 10 microns or less. To provide perspective, a human blood cell is typically between 6 and 8 microns across. Click here to view detailed test results.

Part number HA-5013 for 2013 through 2016 Honda CBR500R, CB500F, and CB500X models is backed by the industry leading K&N Million Mile Limited Warranty. This means that 2013 Honda CBR500 and CB500 owners can enjoy a lifetime of increased performance, reusability, and longer air filter service intervals when using part number HA-5013.

HA-5013 replacement high-flow air filter is designed to provide a lifetime of increased performance without any need for modifications or tuning for the following motorcycles:

2016 HONDA CBR500R 471
2016 HONDA CB500X 471
2016 HONDA CB500F 471
2015 HONDA CBR500R ABS 471
2015 HONDA CBR500R 471
2015 HONDA CB500X ABS 471
2015 HONDA CB500X 471
2015 HONDA CB500F ABS 471
2015 HONDA CB500F 471
2014 HONDA CBR500R ABS 471
2014 HONDA CBR500R 471
2014 HONDA CB500X ABS 471
2014 HONDA CB500X 471
2014 HONDA CB500F ABS 471
2014 HONDA CB500F 471
2013 HONDA CBR500R ABS 471
2013 HONDA CBR500R 471
2013 HONDA CB500X ABS 471
2013 HONDA CB500X 471
2013 HONDA CB500F ABS 471
2013 HONDA CB500F 471

For all K&N Honda CB500F, Honda CBR500X and Honda CBR500R air filters visit the Honda CB500F Air Filters, Honda CB500X Air Filters and Honda CBR500R Air Filters pages on KNFilters.com.

James Bickford, cousin of Jeff Gordon, celebrates his first NASCAR K&N Pro Series West victory at Stateline Speedway in Post Falls, Idaho

16-year-old driver, James Bickford, took the lead from Greg Pursley with four laps to go in the NAPA Auto Parts/Toyota 150.

It was Bickford’s seventh career start in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West. His previous best finish was fourth place at Iowa Speedway in May.

Greg Pursley was leading the NAPA Auto Parts/Toyota 150 in his Gene Price Motorsports Ford but with 4 laps to go James Bickford drove the #6 car past him

“I knew I had a chance at it if I could just get by him,” Bickford said of sizing up Pursley on the final restart. “I did everything I could – all of my effort was into that first corner – and we ended up pulling out in front of him and clearing him.”

Pursley was in the lead on the final restart of the race on lap 143. Bickford made his move to the lead three laps later. He led only four laps in the race, the final four.

“I knew once we got to the high line that there was no stopping us,” Bickford said, “and we took the checkered flag for the first time.”

Braeden Havens qualified fastest in his #82 Chevrolet and earned himself the 21 Means 21 presented by Coors Brewing Company Pole Award

Pursley finished in second place. It was his seventh top-five finish in seven K&N Pro Series West races. “He [Bickford] did a great job, he had a really good car tonight,” Pursley said after the race on Saturday night. “That last restart there with five to go, I knew his car was better than mine and I tried to hold him off for a little bit but I was just way too loose.”

The rookie, 16-year-old, Nicole Behar finished sixth place and matched the highest finish for a female driver in NASCAR K&N Pro Series West history

Pursley added to his lead in the K&N Pro Series West standings. He is 27 points ahead of Dylan Lupton. Bickford is in fifth place and the highest ranking rookie in the K&N Pro Series standings. He is 74 points behind Pursley.

“He did a good job,” Pursley said. “He’s a good little racer, and something to look at here in the future.” Brandon McReynolds finished in third place, his fifth top-five finish of the K&N Pro Series West season. “We need to be a little better moving forward,” McReynolds said. “We’re really proud of our NAPA Toyota guys. It’s a step in the right direction. We just need to take that next step and we will be right there.” Braeden Havens won the pole, but David Mayhew, who started on the front row, claimed the lead on the first lap.

Mayhew was out front for the first 96 laps of the race. Lupton passed Mayhew for the lead on lap 97, but only held it for two laps.

Mayhew reclaimed the lead for another 32 laps on lap 100. Lupton again jumped out front on lap 133, but a crash on lap 134 that knocked Lupton to ninth place set up a restart.

Pursley led the restart and was out front for 12 laps. Bickford made the pass for the win on lap 146. Havens crossed the finish line in fourth place, followed by Mayhew in fifth.

Nicole Behar was sixth, matching the highest finish for a female driver in K&N Pro Series West history. Three other female drivers have finished sixth in a K&N Pro Series West race, most recently by Hannah Newhouse in 2012.

The next race on the K&N Pro Series West is the NAPA Auto Parts/Toyota 150 at Colorado National Speedway on July 26.

K&N has partnered with the Clarion Builds program and is moving forward with the complete restoration and modernization of this 1974 BMW 2002

Few cars have attained the cult status and impacted a modern car manufacturer the way the iconic BMW 2002 did for Bavarian Motor Works (BMW). BMW had struggled following World War II, however the “New Class” of sport sedans ensured the manufacturer’s survival and established the company as an international brand. The 2002 is peculiar in that it is a two-door sedan, but this car was able to reinforce BMW’s notoriety in the compact sporting sedan market and would serve as the forerunner to the BMW 3-series. It has been nearly 40 years since the last O2, as owners call them, rolled off the line, but popularity of the O2 has not ceased.

Clarion plans to update the interior of this classic 1974 BMW 2002 with a Clarion entertainment system and race-inspired seats

K&N was recently approached by the Clarion Corporation of America to join forces in the first-ever Clarion Builds project which will restore a classic 1974 BMW 2002. Clarion has been an international leader in car audio and electronics since 1940. K&N and Clarion represent different fields of the automotive aftermarket industry, yet share the same passion for performance and motorsports. The new Clarion Builds program is designed to serve as a base for Clarion and partners, like K&N, to tackle unique restoration projects of iconic cars and trucks. This project can be described as a resto-mod since Clarion Builds plans to not only restore the car to factory condition but to also enhance key components of the '74 2002. Clarion Builds will bring the O2 up to modern standards without sacrificing what made the little BMW a success over 40 years ago.

The BMW 2002 was the direct predecessor of the BMW E21 3-series and established BMW as an international brand

Depending on the sub-model, the BMW 2002 was rated between 100 and 120 horsepower from the factory. Clarion has decided to rebuild the engine and install upgraded components in order to achieve modern day power. K&N will lend 45 years of performance expertise toward the goal of adding “wow factor” under the hood. "K&N is known in the industry as the preferred brand for filtration products not just for the enthusiasts but hard core professionals alike, so it’s fantastic to have them as part of the Clarion Builds program," stated Allen H. Gharapetian, Vice President of Marketing and Product Planning for Clarion Corporation of America. “K&N’s impressive fan base and dedicated followers, as well as the overall awareness of the brand amongst all types of automotive enthusiasts, will undoubtedly influence the success of the Clarion Builds program and benefit our current project tremendously.”

With assistance from K&N filters, Clarion Builds will upgrade the 1,990 cc engine with updated components and make modern day horsepower and torque figures

Restoration of the Clarion Builds 1974 BMW 2002 is already underway with a complete tear down as the first task followed by extensive rust repair. K&N will follow the Clarion Builds project as it moves along and provide updates on the K&N social media platforms as well as the KNFilters.com/news webpage.

About Clarion:

Headquartered in Cypress, California, Clarion Corporation of America is a subsidiary of Japan-based Clarion Co. Ltd, which has been a consolidated subsidiary of the Hitachi Group since 2006. Clarion has been an international leader in car audio and electronics since 1940. The company is engaged in the research, development, engineering, design, manufacturing, sales and marketing of mobile entertainment, navigation, infotainment, communication, safety and security products for the automotive, marine, recreational vehicle, commercial fleet and heavy industry environments. Clarion has been the recipient of numerous excellence awards for design, innovation, support, manufacturing and product reliability from independent organizations. The company has marketing and sales affiliates in Europe, North and South America, Asia and Australia. Clarion is located on the web at www.clarion.com.