air cleaner element

[harry3]

the old air cleaner element on my 6 cyl VL has 4 metal pieces around the edges that arent removable, the new element looks the same but has no metal arounf the edges, is this OK?

[gungazza]

may be there to strenthen it

[harry3]

later I phoned ryco who said it was OK, their old aircleaner element had the metal reinforcing but the new one doesnt as its not needed, the element being a stronger imported unit