I am almost convinced that I must have mis-matched parts.
I have a HSD intake - I don't need more "clearance".
If you look at one of his WFO pics you see SOME clearance between the inside of lower air cleaner base and the top of the air filter element. BASICALLY, if you lay a yardstick across my air cleaner base, it is just as high as the inside dome of the base (and just as high as the element itself).
The only air getting into my carb is under the concave dome of the air cleaner lid - the clearance is just that tight.
http://rides.webshots.com/photo/1164...30046859hfGRmh
I don't know if that link works - but the top of my element is even with the dome of the base of the housing. I only get air under the lid.