Oil filter

I tried searching but couldn't find anything. I'm sorry if this has been asked a million times. Is it recommended to change the oil filter every time you do an oil change? I replaced the oil and the filter when I got it last year. I only put about 1000 miles on it last year. I'm thinking that changing it every other oil change would be fine. Any suggestions?

 

Well. The schedule in the Haynes manual states:

Monthly or 2500 miles- change oil

Yearly or 5000 miles - replace oil filter.

So, your thought of changing the filter every other oil change follows that.

Personally, I change my oil and filter every 2000 miles.

 

Replacing the oil filter at every oil change is cheap insurance.

 

I will add that you should be changing your oil just before putting the bike away for the winter. Combustion and moisture allows acids to develop in the oil, and you do not want those acids sitting in the engine over the winter.

 

Very good idea!

I typically don't. Mostly due to the long riding season here in the south.

 

K-moe, do you then change that fresh oil in the spring before riding or is it ok to use since it's just been sitting there all winter?

 

The oil that has been sitting over winter is used until the first scheduled oil change that spring. Clean oil sitting in the crankcases is still clean, and relatively acid free (there will be some acids left in the tiny amount of oil that is not drained during the oil change. I turn the engine over with the TCI unplugged to distribute the new oil before putting the bike to bed so that no new acids form, and the remaining acids are diluted significantly.

 

Sounds good. Thanks.

 

get one of chacal's spin-on oil filter adapters and make life easy

 

I thought about that, Polock, the first time I changed my oil and filter. The stock one seemed really simple to change though, and I'm not crazy about the idea of having an exposed filter sticking out right behind the front wheel. I can just imagine a rock getting kicked up and causing damage. Maybe I'll eventually try it. Who knows. Do you have a picture of one installed with the filter on it? I'm curious how it looks.

 

It takes a lot to puncture and oil filter it will dent first. Cars run with exposed oil filters all the time without issues. I have a spin on filrer and have not a problem with it. It does make an oil change much easier. Well worth the money.

 

I have the spin on filter and it looks good and works great. When I dispose of used filters I use an automatic center punch to pop a hole in the filter so it can drain fully. It takes two applications of the punch to pierce the filter.

 

I use a spin on as well. Works like a charm! Did 11,000km on 2 oil changes with the same filter (I know, booo, hisss), and the oil was always clean, and the filter never even dented. And my driveway is a dirt road. Like the guys said, a little cost for a lot of peace of mind.

 

Does the spin-on filter kit from chacal use regular oil filters that I can get locally?

 

Yup. Some bike shops have them in stock. I switched to a Bosch 3300 on a few different recommends.

Some of the information is a little dated, but you're looking for a filter with 20mm x 1.5 threads. Towards the bottom of the page

http://www.calsci.com/motorcycleinfo/FilterXRef.html

 

Good info...thanks PilotSmack.

 

I always change the filter when i change the oil if you don't you mix some old oil with the new. I would just rather be safe then sorry. I also use synthetic motorcycle oil. I do not ride that much. But its all in your preference.

 

Wouldnt the spin on increase the oil temp due to loosing the cooling fins?

 

Not enough to make a difference.The best way to keep an air cooled bike cool is to keep moving!