Pod filter with side covers on?

Whack 'em on, if that's the look you want. Unless your pod is so big it rubs on the side cover, unlikely, there would be no problems. Works OK on my XT500. In fact, I reckon unless you have a nice chrome end cap on your pod filter, they look a bit ordinary, so the covers are good. It does mean you have to come up with a filter for your crankcase breather if you want to go this way.
The 500 single logo looks great, and should not be removed if you can avoid it, so may I suggest if you are doing this mod for the purposes of getting a performance boost, you consider a free flowing K&N or similar to go into your stock airbox?
No messing around with crankcase breather. The other thing with my 500 that has a separate pod filter and crankcase breather is you can hear a fair bit of intake noise and breather chuffing, which is a little bit annoying. I reckon the K&N in the stock airbox might be better noise wise. Other guys on this site could advise on this.
Mick

Great advice guys - I think I'll try the the free flowing K&N trick - thanks a heap!

Nice one frankyb! Cheers

Hey milkman, k&n make them so you know theyre good. The bags are made from a really fine synthetic material , and they dont restrict the filter to any degree that ive noticed. Aproperly oiled pod filter will get adusty oily sort of crust on it, because thats what its supposed to do. The more you use it, the more restricted it gets. The pre charger eliminates most of this trapped dust scab, and that gives you a longer life for your filter. Cheers Franky b.

Does M.O.T. stand for Ministry of Transport? You mean to tell me that in the U.K. you have to get your bike (and cars) inspected every year? Here in Ontario, Canada you only need an inspection when you buy a vehicle. I bought my SR new in 1980 so it's never been inspected. Any bike or car I've had only was inspected once..when you buy it

Sounds like you have a much easier situation in Oz and Canada, yes M.O.T does stand for "Ministry Of Transport" and a test is needed every year once a vehicle is over three years old, it's quite a tough test including emissions testing too, (but I think vehicles of a certain age are exempt from emissions testing) Tons of rules here in the UK and increasing all the time. You should see what we have to go through just to get a motorcycle license in the first place, loads of restrictions on age/BHP/ and different category licenses, the practical test is going to be revised and made tougher and longer too, either this year or next (can't remember). I recently heard (BBC News) that government is carrying out a survey looking into restricting all motorcycles to a top speed of 60/70 MPH now that the technology is available,,,,,,,,YUK ,,,,John

Down here in the south of westOZ if I get an unregoed bike I can just go through it till Im happy, put it on a trailer ,go to an authorized mechanic . I hand over $37AUS we take it off the trailer .start it up he'll go for a spin & then he gives you the good or bad news . Last time I just took it home & left it on the trailer to give the rear brake a birthday, took it back the next day . He didnt even take it off the trailer , he just faxed the paperwork to the dept of transport & I just had to go to the post office & hand over the cash & pick my plates , a piece of weewee , thats it forever ,even if you sell the vehicle you never have to test it again only if you lapse the rego or get a unfit sticker on it ,cheers from Dave.