Air Filter (Angled Boot Pod) | Honda CB450 / CL450 / CB500T

Angled Boot Pod Air Filters | Honda CB450 / CL450 / CB500T

Factory air filters for the CB450 are no longer made, so when the original airbox goes missing or crumbles, a pod filter is the practical replacement. These angled boot pods are a washable pair that fits under the factory battery box and clears the side covers — with one important caveat for the CB450, covered below.

Why You Need This

The CB450, CL450, and CB500T run CV carburetors, and CV carbs are particular about their inlet. Many universal straight-boot pods block the air passages that drive the slide and diaphragm, which makes throttle response inconsistent. The angled boot funnels air cleanly into the carb mouth the way the factory boot did. The filters are washable and reusable, so you clean them instead of replacing paper elements that may no longer exist.

Specifications

Important — support the carburetors on the CB450. The CB450 has very shallow carburetor-to-manifold engagement, and the factory airbox boot used to support the front of each carburetor. Remove that support and the carbs can pull out of the intake manifolds on bumps. Plan to add a front carburetor support and upgrade the manifold clamps — details in the install below.

Installation

Difficulty: Intermediate

1. Remove the factory air filter assembly — the through-bolt, covers, and boots.
2. Check your intake manifolds. If they're old and stiff, replace them so the carburetors seat fully and seal.
3. Swap the factory band clamps for beefier hose-style intake manifold clamps that really grip, and set the edge of the clamp flush against the edge of the manifold rubber.
4. Add a front support for the carburetors — zip ties, safety wire, or a small bracket over the frame — so they can't peel out of the manifolds without the airbox holding them.
5. Slide a pod boot onto each carburetor inlet, clock it so the clamp screw sits at the top (around 1 o'clock) to clear the support, and snug the clamp — do not over-tighten.

Full step-by-step instructions are in our CB450 / CL450 / CB500T pod filter install guide.

Our CB450 pod filter install video covers the carb support and manifold clamps in detail.

Jetting After Installation

Pods flow differently than the factory airbox, so plan to evaluate your jetting after the swap. Start with the factory jetting and adjust from there. Our CB450 / CB500T Main Jet Tuning Kit has the jets to dial it in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will these fit a CB200 or CB175?

No — this page is for the CB450, CL450, and CB500T. The CB175 and CB200 use a different pod filter; grab our CB175 / CB200 Angled Boot Pod Filters instead.

What modifications does the CB450 need?

The CB450's carburetors barely engage the intake manifolds, and the factory airbox used to brace them. So plan to do three things: run fresh, pliable manifolds; upgrade to beefier hose-style manifold clamps; and add a front carburetor support. With those in place, the carbs stay put.

Do I need to re-jet after installing pod filters?

Plan on it. Pods flow more air than the factory airbox, so the mixture changes. Start at factory jetting and work from there — the CB450 / CB500T Main Jet Tuning Kit gives you the sizes to test.

Are these filters washable?

Yes. Wash them, then air dry — do not oil them.

You Might Also Need

• Main Jet Tuning Kit | Honda CB450 / CL450 / CB500T — re-jet after the pod conversion
• Carburetor Intake Manifold | Honda CB450 / CL450 / CB500T — fresh manifolds for proper carb seating
• Carburetor Intake Manifold Clamps | 350 / 360 / 450 / 500T — the beefier clamps the CB450 install needs
• Carburetor Rebuild Kit | Honda CB450 / CL450 / CB500T — rebuild the carbs while they're off
• Angled Boot Pod Filters | Honda CB175 / CB200 — the pod for the smaller bikes

Last updated: June 2026