Let's Discuss The Spin-On Oil Filter Modification

What's the collective opinion of the spin-on oil filter modification?

Who's done it and do you have any regrets?

Who's not sure it's a good idea, and why?

 

I just got an oil cooler for my xj650 seca rj. I am also adding the spin on oil filter option. My reason? For the same reason I have opted for the cooler.
Better oil maintainence. I feel that with the spin on filter, I will probably change the filter more often.
I really hate taking off the stock filter housing. I always feel like the stud will snap or something, but that is me.
I figure if I can keep the oil cool and change the filter more often too, the old thing will last a few extra miles.

 

I have one fitted, works well.

 

I wouldlike to put one on both my 1100s but it will hang below the engine too far. I think I might punch a hole in the filter. I have not seen shallow filters to try.

 

Stuck one on my 700X (even used it to model the illustrated instructions) and have no regrets. Plan to put the other on the 750J, should I ever get around to putting on that oil cooler.

 

I've got one on the 750, haven't changed the oil yet with it tho. Will be doing that this weekend. I've sure it'll be cake, A LOT better than the stupid housing, filter, washer, spring crap lol.

 

That "ease of filter change" that you guys have mentioned is one of the reasons why I'm considering it. Not that the original system makes it "difficult", but with a spin-on filter, it would be mind numbingly easy.

Couple questions...

What filter number does the kit use?

What is the purpose of the "adapter plate"? Is that an oil cooler? Is that why it's so much larger than the filter diameter?

 

The adapter plate covers the entire area that was once covered by the housing. It gives the oil filter a place to butt up against. Sorry need more coffee.
The oil cooler unit actually gets sandwiched between the engine and adapter plate, which is why there can be a clearance problem if you are using an after market header.
Some one "techy-er should chime in on this. Where IS my coffee?

 

Sounds like a great idea, does XJ4Ever carry these spin on kits?

 

YES! I just got mine form Chacal at XJ forever (icon at the top of the page).
Great service and all the info on these units you'd ever want or need.

To be fair, Big Fitz had one concern...that a stone or something off the road could conceivably be kicked up off the road and puncture the filter.

 

Chacal is the man. Best customer service I've ever gotten from any company.

I agree Big Fitz has a very valid point I guess if you have bags carry a spare filter and some oil just in case you need to make an emergency repair/replacement.

 

Funny you should mention that... for some reason, I don't have enough clearance to install the adapter plate and the stock filter housing on my 750J -- and AFAIK, I have stock headers. I pretty much have to use the spinon kit on that bike if I want to use the cooler.

Quite so.

The part numbers vary by which filter you order with the kit (Purolator, Amsoil, K&N). I imagine you can use whichever filter strikes your fancy, but as for me, I stuck with the same model of Purolator that came with the kit to begin with.

 

Another great write up.

Even easier than I thought (assuming no problems removing stock bolt)

 

Have been running mine for a while now and I love it. Makes changing the filter 10 times easier. I am not going to worry about a rock flying up and puncturing it. This could happen on some cars also but I have never heard of it happening. Who out there has this ever happen to on there bike? Ya, Len at XJ4Ever has a few different types of filters to choose from. I went with the Amsoil. I think they make great filters.

 

Rock puncturing wasn't my only concern; I don't want to give up all those nice oil-cooling fins. Plus the original housing just looks cool, IMHO.

To each his own. I simply throw a 3/8" drive air wrench with a 6-point socket on the bolt, and spin it right off. (Of course, I only tighten it to the correct 11 ft/lb to begin with.)

Spin-ons are admittedly more convenient.

 

Im just wondering its my understanding that the oil filter bypass is built into the original bolt that holds on the housing does the spin on adapter have this feature built into it?

 

Yes, the original clogged filter bypass relief valve is built into the bolt. That's what the spring loaded steel ball is. My suspicion is that once you've converted over to the spin-on style, the filter they chose for the kit includes a bypass relief valve built into the filter itself.

I could look it up if I knew the number...

Schmuckaholic, What's the Purolator number?

 

Thanks SecaSuca, I see it now. It's not that the plate is so big, it's just that the filter is smaller than the OD of the plate.

My concerns with the adapter are the same as Fitz. Rocks and less oil cooling.

And I'll jump on the bandwagon for Len at XJ4Ever as well. I think he's doing a phenomenal job helping keep these bikes alive!

 

Spin-on filters generally have a pressure relief valve built into them.

 

Yep I put one on too....in addition to "easy" oil change I also think a standard oil filter is more effective then the stock filter at filtering out all those little suspended particles. No regrets here.

 

Those fins DO look cool.

 

Of the filter itself, PL14612. Of the kit? HCP1284xx where xx=PL (Purolator), KN (K&N), CR (Chrome plated (!) K&N, or AM (Amsoil).

 

Thanks for the number Schmuckaholic.

Waldo, Yes, the filter has a built in relief valve and it's set for 14-18 psi. According to the FSM, the stock relief valve is set for 14 psi, so it's same as stock.

PL14612:
Anti-Drain Back Valve - Yes
Height - 2.93
O.D. - 2.69
Relief Valve P.S.I. - 14-18
Threads - M20-1.5

 

I agree. I think the stock system is hokey with that spring and those end seals that are supposed to seal to both the block and the center bolt. I wouldn't be surprised if some oil leaks past the bolt seals and doesn't get filtered at all.

I know it's not high pressure on those seals, but the gen-yoo-wine Yamaha branded NOS filter I just put in kinda "fell" onto the center bolt. In other words, gravity was almost enough that I didn't have to force the filter down onto the center bolt. Gravity pretty much pulled it down to the washer and spring. There just can't be a great seal between that filter and the bolt. I've had that filter sitting on the shelf for maybe three years, and the box already "looked old" when I bought it. I suspect the seals had shrunk a little over time.

Back to the spin-on filter... If it was a much more commonly used filter (like the spin on PL14612), then I wouldn't keep one on the shelf. I'd just run out the day before and buy a fresh one that hadn't been sitting on anyone's shelf for long.

 

How about adding one of these then guys?
Oil filter cover

 

Flying Spaghetti Monster?

 

Factory Service Manual.

 

I know, dear -- it's called a sense of humor. You might want to consider growing one.

 

Oh, I have one. It didn't sense anything...

 

Major spidey sense tingling on that one!

 

Actually... I was talking about the Flying Spaghetti Monster.

 

Altus, That's excellent! I was thinking about ways to add fins and some rock protection to a spin on filter, and was thinking about making something very similar to that! I didn't even think to poke around and see if someone else already made such a device! There may even be other varieties out there that have fins!

 

Will it fit sticking way out between the headers?

If so, they're pretty cool, check the website. But I'm afraid it's an automotive-intended piece, and might be a bit too large.

 

I run a K&N filter that has a decent amount of metal in it. Anything thrown up from the front wheel will dent the mild steel it is made from. In my opinion anything that will puncture it, would shatter the aluminium housing.

 

So, here's the rundown so far...

Advantages:
Easier oil changes
Possibly more effective filtering of the oil

Disadvantages:
Possibly less oil cooling
Possibly damaged by road debris

Anyone else have input to add?

 

My concern about puncture comes from how easy it is to jam a screwdriver right through the can of any spin-on type filter. My Norton runs a spin-on; it's in an out-of-the-way location, so much so that it's a bit of a beotch to get a strap wrench on it. Easier to just poke a screwdriver right thru the can and use it as a big handle to unscrew it.

I've had rocks get kicked up hard enough to draw ankle blood through jeans or put a nice ding in a headpipe (both actually.)

We need to do a "Mythbusters" here and fire rocks at can-type oil filters with increasing velocity. If a 70 MPH rock can hole it, problem. If it takes a 230 MPH rock to cause a puncture, probably safe.

Volunteers?

THEN we can take up cooling effect/efficiency.

 

OMG! That's pretty sweet! Haha! But I probably wouldn't on my present project.
Thanks for the info though.

 

Reply to an old thread - BUT - as a Motorcycle Riding Firearms/Ballistics guy (vs a Biker/Gear Crank) I have everything necessary (except a stock of filters) to actually do this test...

I'm interested too, because in 2000 mi it will be time to change the oil again and I want to do it myself... AND I ride on a lot of Dirt/Gravel out here in the High Mountain sticks.

Time to break out the Chronograph and Wrist Rocket...

 

Don't forget though, the rock also needs to have some weight behind it... a piece of sand won't puncture it, but one the size of a marble might...

 

How about a .36 cal hard cast lead round ball, &/or steel bearings. Not to mention a few of the nice sharp pieces of hard road gravel I have available by the mega-ton ...

I only have to make 120fps to be over 80mph... and I can do that with my CHEAP slingshot. My big wrist rocket will actually handle up to about 400 fps...(272mph)

(If I want to get crazy I can make .38 squib loads &/or .45 squib loads to meet almost any reasonable 80-200mph test...)

 

My Suzuki has a spin on filter in the exact location as the XJ'S. I have not yet found a dent, let alone a hole in my filter.

 

im sorry to hijack this forum but i cant figuere out how to post my own can any one help me with a question on my xj650 starter motor

 

is this hole behind where the starter motor is suposed to be their? if not is it a serious problem

 

1: The post new thread button is at the upper right corner when you click on the section that you chose to post in.

2: Yes that hole is supposed to be there.

 

can someone post a picture of the spin-on filter and the whole setup - if I every the the bolt off the stock one I want to do this but I'm not understanding how it works.

 

Someone did just that years ago. http://www.xj4ever.com/spinon kit v2.1.pdf

 

That's the problem with thread ressurection...

OTOH, nobody else seemed to be willing/able to shoot oil filters, so...

 

Thanks Moe... pretty cool I think.

 

here is how you do it
http://www.xj4ever.com/spinon kit v2.1.pdf
if you are worried about a rock puncturing it try to drive a screw driver through the shell of an oil filter

 

I don't have any problem just changing the oil and filter with the standard housing and bolt. I guess the 'cool, look at that' bug hasn't bitten me to do that.........