are these things just there for the look, or are they actually functional?  I'm considering swapping out for a woodcraft tank cover, and I'd like to eliminate them to get a more classic look if I do. I'm also considering swapping out my light for a more standard look. I love my bike, but what I used to view as an aggressive look is starting to look a little too cartoony for my tastes.  I like the silhouette of my bike very much, but I'd like to go for something that'd make you stop and take a second look to figure out what exactly you're looking at if I do this.   I know the diesel design 1100 has plates over the intakes, but I'm pretty sure they're still open.

if we're being honest, I've been lusting over the new BMW r nine t, so much so that i've put a deposit on one so I'd have the option to pick one up in late august/early september.   i love the look of that bike, but every time I ride mine I wonder if I could give up the handling/low weight/great power...and with that cost difference, I could do a pretty nice build on my current ride.

i'll now open up the floor for discussion: do your worst 

the little mesh grill is there for "protection" to avoid something entering the engine, but, the air filter is there so, unless you subemerge the bike in a lake or river, the "no" mesh is OK

edit:
I would paint them black

perhaps I wasn't clear - what I meant was that I'd like to cover them completely - like fill them in so that the tank is smooth, like a normal tank. 

Quote from: Barney on July 12, 2014, 06:30:19 PM
perhaps I wasn't clear - what I meant was that I'd like to cover them completely - like fill them in so that the tank is smooth, like a normal tank. 

nope, as said, those are AIR INTAKES

for the first time ever, i'm bummed to learn that an intake is actually functional. haha