stumbled upon this web page (airbox mod)

[agentpineapple]

you need to read it thru all 3 pages to find out the dissapointing answer but it's interesting never the less
http://ablett.jp/bikes/vtr/index.html

[AMCQ46]

Yes I saw that a while ago, and if you didnt read it all it would be very misleading

[agentpineapple]

got to admire the fella for trying tho......

[benny hedges]

in the words of dyno andy who does all roger's dyno work.... running an open airbox releases a lot of hidden power, but requires 'extensive modding' of a stage 3 dyno kit.
the stage 3 kit iirc comprises of jets, needles, springs and pilots, nothing else.
excuse me if it also includes different slides.

the point is, this guy didnt fail entirely, he just didnt invest in enough dyno time to get the fuelling right.
the method of using the lid as a frame is worth doing, but you need to sort the jetting to get any gains at all, if not losses.