Do I have to use the K&N recharge kit or is the cleaning chemical something that I may already have (like contact cleaner). Can I use something else to re-oil it other than their stuff?

 

The cleaner would have to be something water-soluable that doesn't eat up the fibers or leave a residue. the oil, I dunno, that's kindof what makes their filters so awesome. I'm sure its a custom formula.

Given how much damage you can do to your engine with a filter thats been eaten up by homebrew cleaners, or an oil that doesn't clean to the particulates like K&N's does, I think it's worth dropping the $10 on the K&N-branded recharger kit. I have the 8oz. kit, and I've cleaned both the bike one AND the huge short-ram one in my car TWICE and I still have some left.

The cleaner does a NICE job if you follow the directions exactly. Be aware that you're probably going to be down for about a day while you wait for the filter to air dry.