Oil filter change... again

[Justin B.]

This is a no longer actively updated page that looks into some oil filters for motorcycles.  Although Airhead filters were not investigated I see no reason to not assume that if Brand X markets a cheaply made filter for a Whatever 3000 then it might hold true for others...

http://www.tobycreek.org/oil_filters/index.shtml

[Bob_Roller]

I stay with OEM filters for the Honda Civic, Mahle filters for both BMW bikes and cage, and AC/Delco for the Trans Am.

They only get changed about once a year on average.

If you don't do this, you may want to cut the filter apart on the airhead bikes, just to see if there is any accumulation of debris in the filter pleats.

I have a next door neighbor, that is an engineer for Honeywell, she works for what at one time was AiResearch, as it was called when Allied-Signal owned it, and Fram was a subsidiary of Allied-Signal, the comment, she made about Fram filters, was at least don't use their oil filters.

But I too used them for many years before learning this.

My father used K-Mart oil filters for 25 years, and never had an issue with an engine, so go figure !!!

[Semper Gumby]

Here is a pic of the WIX kit -- includes everything.  The cover gasket is 1mm thick (I don't use this).  The kit includes the drain plug crush washer (Bonus).  The filter uses a harder rubber than the stock BMW.  I let you know how it goes.  These filter are supposedly good down to 20 microns.  I don't know how this compares to other filters.

About $12 with tax from O'Rilley Autoparts...

[Justin B.]

Looks nice, Wix filters are generally liked by mechanics so this might be a good alternate.  Different color O-ring and a decent price for the "kit" with all the extra bits - about the same price as a "nekkid" Mahle filter...

[montmil]

The Wix filter package, no matter where you buy it, has everything you need. Change oil in a couple bikes and you can begin building up your own stores of shims, etc.   Monte

[ambrose78]

I'm doing my first oil change on the r65 and have hit an 'interesting' problem. I was going to use one of the many filters which came with the bike. The filters supplied with the bike are branded Domi Racer.

Pulled out the old oil filter and it looks different to the domiracer filters.
The domi racer filters appear to be similar length to the old filter but they don't have any rubber grommets on the end of the filter. See pic


Has anyone seen these domiracer oil filters before?

What is the purpose of these rubber grommets? does it matter if they aren't there

Can I use these domi racer filters or will it kill the engine?


Also I couldn't see any other orings. Just the black one behind the metal shim on the cover

is this the only oring? Or am i missing one?

Cheers

[montmil]

Aussie, the newer model filters have the rubber seal attached to the filter canister. Older versions required a loose rubber ring that often got left -accidentally- in the filter cavity.

If you don't have the correct rubber ring to fit over the stub down in the canister cavity, you may need to purchase a later model filter or locate the correct seal. Your filter package appears to be a Taiwanese product of unknown vintage?

Monte

[weasel01]

It should fit snugly but you shouldnt need a ton of effort to get it in place.

My first filter change was tough as I got the filter for the oil cooler type and didnt know it ...it almost fit but was just a hair too long.

The correct filter (w/rubber tip)fits just right.

Look inside to make sure an old oring isnt still inside the filter cavity.

[montmil]

Good points, Amps. And the bendy filters make the changing chore oh so simple.

Monte