K&N American V-Twin Product Brochure

WHERE IT ALL BEGAN K&N® IN 1969

Ken, Dale, and Norm

Ken Johnson and Norm McDonald make up the “K” and the “N” in K&N ® . Ken and Norm were avid motorcycle racers who entered the aftermarket in the 1960’s with a line of motorcycle handlebars. While promoting their handlebars, Ken and Norm began experimenting with different air filter designs to combat the frustrations of the air filter technology of the day. The problem dirt riders encountered with the paper filters used was that dirt would build up on the paper and block the flow of air to the carburetor. In addition, these paper filters were nearly impossible to clean and would usually have to be discarded after every race. The most successful design they found consisted of layers of cotton gauze sandwiched between wire mesh. Unlike dry paper elements, they coated the cotton media with oil to act as a tacking agent to help trap dirt particles. This new technology allowed air to pass through, while still capturing dirt particles that could harm their engines. In 1969 K&N ® began production of oiled cotton gauze air filters and The World’s Best Air Filter TM was born.

Early manufacturing facility

Norm McDonald - Acton, CA 1960

Photo: Don Emde Productions, Inc.

K&N’s first media pleater “Plinky”

“King” Kenny Roberts - San Jose Mile 1972

Early air filter manufacturing

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