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[Twolanerider]

Have finally used up my personal shelf stock of spin on filters.  So will be either ordering more right away or considering some alternative.

I would love an alternative that avoids the mess of spilled oil on the motor mount and in the oil cooler.  The various options with the stainless steel reusable media don't fit that spec as they still separate at the filter base.  I'm also not personally sold on the filter media as a long term fitration option, but that's not really part of the current consideration.

The only option I've found that would drain on the "end," away from the motor, is this "Definitive 5" product from Harley.  I actually have one of things at the shop that was won as a door prize several months ago.  Never installed it though as I'm not sanguine the end cap will be at all easily removeable with shifter and lowers and other bits in the way.

Has anyone done this?  If so how easy is it to service the unit with the rest of the bike in the way.  Installed pictures would be great.  But any description of someone's experience in use would be appreciated.

[103_RK]

I was told they wouldn't fit my bike due to the premium oil cooler.  I will probably go with the K & P permanent one.  I would be curious if the Definitive one fits with the oil cooler.  I liked the design as well.

[Chief]

Has anyone ever tried doing something like drilling a drain hole in the bottom and an air hole in the top to let the filter drain? I haven't, but I think I may try that next time. Sure would be a cleaner job if the filter was empty.

[iski]

Has anyone ever tried doing something like drilling a drain hole in the bottom and an air hole in the top to let the filter drain? I haven't, but I think I may try that next time. Sure would be a cleaner job if the filter was empty.

 

Excellent idea!

Easier to catch oil at the "front" of the filter, too.

[hdbrad03]

Yes I have done the hole in filter process. It work rather well. I take a phillips scewdriver and a hammer an punch a hole on the bottom and the top. I use a quart oil bottle that I split in half long ways then cut the bottom off. Then slde oil bottle under filter before punching holes. The oil bottle catches all the oil.

[Chief]

Yes I have done the hole in filter process. It work rather well. I take a phillips scewdriver and a hammer an punch a hole on the bottom and the top. I use a quart oil bottle that I split in half long ways then cut the bottom off. Then slde oil bottle under filter before punching holes. The oil bottle catches all the oil.

The one cautionary note I'll toss out there is about the hammering issue. I would have a concern that too much hammering may lead to oil filter mount damage. I would reccomend using a center, or prick, punch to dimple the filter and then drill the holes. Whacking away at a #2 or #3 phillips would scare the crap out of me.

[hdbrad03]

Point well taken. Will switch to drilling. Thanks

[Twolanerider]

The one cautionary note I'll toss out there is about the hammering issue. I would have a concern that too much hammering may lead to oil filter mount damage. I would reccomend using a center, or prick, punch to dimple the filter and then drill the holes. Whacking away at a #2 or #3 phillips would scare the crap out of me.

Have done that Chuck.  And it is better.  Doesn't help at all if you've got to do an oil change on the road.  But it's a help when you've got the opportunity to do it.

Having held the one I got at the open house up against the bike I'm sure it'll fit with our oil coolers.  Though I'm not sure about using it with the coolers on the new models.

I'm just not sure how serviceable the end cap will be with the shifter, lowers, and floorboards in the way.  Just hoping someone had already been there and done that to see if using it might be making a simple (albeit messy) job harder.

Next oil change will likely give it a try.  Figure it all out then.

[Boatman]

Don, if anyone can figure it out, you can.  If you hadn't have won it, you probably wouldn't even be doing it.  Whether it be cycle, car, truck, etc, you won't see many of the spinon filters any more.

[HogBreath]

Has anyone ever tried doing something like drilling a drain hole in the bottom and an air hole in the top to let the filter drain? I haven't, but I think I may try that next time. Sure would be a cleaner job if the filter was empty.

THERE's an idea I like! THAt will work. The KISS method, KEEP IT SIMPLE STUPID.

[grc]

Has anyone ever tried doing something like drilling a drain hole in the bottom and an air hole in the top to let the filter drain? I haven't, but I think I may try that next time. Sure would be a cleaner job if the filter was empty.

Chief,

I haven't tried that yet on the bike, but plan to on the next filter change.  I change the oil on momma's front wheel drive SUV, and the filter on that sucker is almost as big a pain as the one on our Harley's.  It sits on a 50° angle pointing forward and nearly touching the air deflector mounted to the bottom of the radiator.  My first attempt at changing it resulted in oil down the arm and puddled on the floor (miscalculated slightly on the drain pan location).  Since that time, I've used an old scratch awl to poke a hole in the filter, letting it drain while the crankcase drains.  Once I remove the filter, enough oil has drained that I don't get the big flood when I crack it loose.  No more oil down the arm or on the floor.  I'm thinking the same technique could work with the bike.  BTW - you don't need two holes, one is sufficient.

Jerry

[Midnight Rider]

Chief,

I haven't tried that yet on the bike, but plan to on the next filter change.  I change the oil on momma's front wheel drive SUV, and the filter on that sucker is almost as big a pain as the one on our Harley's.  It sits on a 50° angle pointing forward and nearly touching the air deflector mounted to the bottom of the radiator.  My first attempt at changing it resulted in oil down the arm and puddled on the floor (miscalculated slightly on the drain pan location).  Since that time, I've used an old scratch awl to poke a hole in the filter, letting it drain while the crankcase drains.  Once I remove the filter, enough oil has drained that I don't get the big flood when I crack it loose.  No more oil down the arm or on the floor.  I'm thinking the same technique could work with the bike.  BTW - you don't need two holes, one is sufficient.

Jerry

Scratch Awl was my first thought here too, Jerry.  This is something worth trying and I plan on doing so this weekend when I drain my crankcase.

[gwright]

I might have a solution.  I first drain the oil on the jiffy stand. I then put the bike on my sears yellow jack, then I remove the oil filter.  I have very little oil drip out.  This method works great for me.  I have a oil cooler on the bike so the room around the filter is limited.  I own a '06 Ultra Classic.

Greg

[porthole]

Was much easier on the older bikes, didn't have filters. 

And when I put filters on my Sporty and Low Rider I mounted them vertical in front of the rear wheel, no mess, just drop the filter.

[SEEG Geezer]

You guys are a wealth of knowledge..........