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[awalker14]

Decided it was time to man up and start changing my own oil and filters.  Used to do it all the time on my cars and older bikes, but thought during the two year warranty on the CVO it would mitigate any warranty issues to let the dealer do it.  I know they can't legally avoid the warranty if you can show proof of oil changes, but frankly just didn't want to mess with it.  Anyway, now that I'm past that period, I bought a case of oil, new filters, a RIVCO filter wrench and went to it.  Decided to do it first on my #2 bike, a 2003 VRod.  Drained the oil easily and went to remove the oil filter, but found it stuck hard.  Ruined the cheap RIVCO wrench by tapping it with a mallet which twisted the filter end, denting the filter, ruined a second regular strap type filter wrench by bending it while pulling so damn hard, denting the filter more, and still can't get the filter off.  My only thought was maybe I should have run it longer warming it up more but now with the oil out of it, didn't want to pour in new oil with an old filter just to get it hot.  Before I trailer it to the dealer who must have used a friggin airgun to put it on, thought I'd ask the experts for some advice on how to get it off?  Don't want to touch the SEUC yet until I get the V done.
Thanks for any suggestions.

[tennisman]

On cars, we just stick a screwdriver right thru the old filter and twist it off.

[Puzzled]

On a rare occasion I'll get a filter that won't move. As crude as it sounds I use a screw driver and a hammer. I'll knock the screw driver through the filter than twist, repeat as needed.

Once the old one is removed be sure to clean the filter mating surface. I than apply a litlle fresh oil to the filter O-ring than twist it back on hand tight. I very seldom use the wrench to tighten the filter, just a good amount of hand strength.

[Screamin]

The screw driver and hammer works great - - - until it doesn't. You fail w/ the screw driver and you're trailering your ride to the repair shop. If the filter is sooo mangled that there's no chance of riding I guess you've nothing to lose. Do you have an over sized set of channel locks?

[awalker14]

OK, I got it off.  Finally...   I remembered having a Craftsman Rubber strap wrench way down in my box thinking it probably wouldn't work, but..... it did.  Wrapping that rubber strap around the filter and visualizing it was wrapped around the service tech's head who had last put the filter on, I twisted until just about busting a gut but got it to move.  Bit by bit, it finally loosened and came off.  The rubber gasket on the filter was so mashed from being on so tight I almost want to take it to the dealer and show him. 

I've also used the screwdriver method before on cars, but there was no room on the VRod to punch it through and then get any leverage to twist.  The strap wrench is something I'll remember more often.

Happy New Year.

[LRebel]

channel locks... what I use everytime.  Work great and easily adjustable 

[sportygordy]

Every once and awhile I'll get a stuburn filter and have to resort to other methods to get it off. I always lube the gasket, hand tighten the filter snug then wrench it no more then a quarter turn. I'm still dumpfounded why filters weld themselves on sometimes. Anyone got any clues why this happens? 

[Admiral]

Every once and awhile I'll get a stuburn filter and have to resort to other methods to get it off. I always lube the gasket, hand tighten the filter snug then wrench it no more then a quarter turn. I'm still dumpfounded why filters weld themselves on sometimes. Anyone got any clues why this happens? 

Sometimes this happens when you let gorillas work on your ride.

 

[Twolanerider]

Had one of the K&N filters seize once.  So badly the end of the filter housing twisted with the nut made on to that end.  I printed out the picture of Dood with his thong and threatened the filter that "he'd be here soon if it didn't cooperate."  Walked back in the house to set the picture down.  When I came back out the filter had jumped off all by itself .

[SBB]

Had one of the K&N filters seize once.  So badly the end of the filter housing twisted with the nut made on to that end.  I printed out the picture of Dood with his thong and threatened the filter that "he'd be here soon if it didn't cooperate."  Walked back in the house to set the picture down.  When I came back out the filter had jumped off all by itself .

That is damn amazing.
Had the same thing happen to me and with the same results!
d00d, a legend in his own time!


 

[Twolanerider]

That is damn amazing.
Had the same thing happen to me and with the same results!
d00d, a legend in his own time!


 

Dammit.  First liar never stands a chance here .

[Fired00d]

Had one of the K&N filters seize once.  So badly the end of the filter housing twisted with the nut made on to that end.  I printed out the picture of Dood with his thong and threatened the filter that "he'd be here soon if it didn't cooperate."  Walked back in the house to set the picture down.  When I came back out the filter had jumped off all by itself .

Can you blame it?? You should feel lucky the bike didn't start up and drive itself off the lift and out the garage.... The thought of that picture alone is enough to skeer me to death.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[Fired00d]

That is damn amazing.
Had the same thing happen to me and with the same results!
d00d, a legend in his own time!


 

Hmmm, another !!!! 

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[Twolanerider]

Can you blame it?? You should feel lucky the bike didn't start up and drive itself off the lift and out the garage.... The thought of that picture alone is enough to skeer me to death.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

Really scary part was Travis's Road King saw the picture the very next day and the bike just purred like a big cat .

[SBB]

Decided it was time to man up and start changing my own oil and filters. 

Congrats there awalker.
It's all part of the fun and joy of ownership!
Sorry to hear about your troubles but posted above are many good solutions.