06-05-2019, 06:18 PM
(06-05-2019, 07:50 AM)Cormanus_imp Wrote: When I witnessed the failure of Pterodactyl's K&N filter and had to go for a ride to find a replacement, I ended up with HiFlo filters which looked to me to be identical to the OEM filter. It makes me wonder who actually makes the OEM filter and whether there are other brands that are the same basic product with a different badge. This thread may offer some useful information, http://cb1100forum.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=14295.
The point about the K&N filter is that welding a nut onto the end of it potentially introduces a weakness not present in other, simpler, filters.
Generaly, OEMs don't make their components: They define the specs they need (interfaces, flow, pressures involved, etc).
Then, an "expert supplier" will do the actual designand the part. Example: a car make can get "Hella" to make their headlights, or "Mahle" to make their airfilters, and "Mando" to make their power-steering.
The supplier will put the badge of the OEM, and depending on the contract, will also be allowed to sell the part as aftermarket with a different badge (you won't find an aftermarket steering that is the same as the OEM from your car, but you can find airfilters)
However: not all aftermarket components will come from the expert supplier who has all the specs from the OEM. Some aftermarket parts are just similar parts that replicate the function of the original component, but not necesarily will match all the specs. They can be better, or can be worse...
In addition: on some components, most OEMs can ask to several suppliers to make the same part, to mitigate risks by not being 100% dependant on a single supply.