Body-on oil change

HawkGT · 08-23-2003, 7:07 PM

I'm coming up on the first oil change I'll do on my own. First one done by the dealer (600 mile service). I remeber reading about some of the listers doing oil changes on a 954 with the body on. Oil plug is obviously no problem. How did you guys handle the oil filter? Were you able to get the oil filter off with brute strength or did you use a filter wrench. I have a filter cap but I can't get on the filter because of the pipe.
Any tips would help.
Thanks

2OHOH2 · 08-23-2003, 7:51 PM

I take a long screwdriver and punch it though the side of the filter to loosen it. I then spin the filter off, and remove it through the left side fairing hole, around the radiator fluid reservoir.

Oz · 08-23-2003, 8:28 PM

Use one of these.

Holeshot · 08-23-2003, 10:01 PM

HEY! That's a cool looking filter wrench! Where did you come by that?

BTW. I used a strap-wrench from Sears, works fine and I could get it between the filter and header and out the *right* side fairing opening (YMMV).

No neet to strip plastic, just need a little deterity.

HawkGT · 08-24-2003, 12:12 AM

That is a cool wrench. Please let us know where you got it.

Oz · 08-24-2003, 12:26 AM

I bought it at my local shop, but you can find them pretty easily. It's made by Big Bike Parts, and there are two sizes - the smaller size fits the filter on the Blade. Here's one of many places that sells it on the net.

HawkGT · 08-28-2003, 1:47 AM

Tried to get that wrench for the filter but the local shops didn't have so I tried to use the screw driver advise to get it off. F#ckin thing is so tight it won't come off. That's what I get for letting a shop do the work I should myself to get it right. I'm going out tomorrow to get any filter wrench that will fit. With the pipes, there's reaaly not much room for one of those filter caps.
Any other suggestions?
Wish me luck.

Chain · 08-28-2003, 9:51 AM

Get the HONDA brand cap style filter wrench, then click below.

LINK

2OHOH2 · 08-28-2003, 10:25 AM

Hawk - the screwdriver didn't work?

Just to make it clear: you need to punch through both sides, so that the screwdriver goes completely through the filter.

...maybe this one time you should take the panel off, and then hand-tighten the new filter for easier removal later.

sl954 · 08-28-2003, 10:36 AM

I use a strap wrench, it works great. I also only take off the left side lower. You get access to the filter and the plug and you can drain everything without making a mess. you do have to remove the left side air intake cover first. I have found you can gently bend it (intake cover) and remove it without having to lift the fuel tank.

Babrone · 08-28-2003, 1:03 PM

It takes about five minutes to just take the panel off and makes it much easier. Just remember you don't have to lift the tank to remove the piece blocking the top bolt on the side fairing. Just remove all the bolts and the plastic tab thingy and you can wiggle it out.

Babrone · 08-28-2003, 1:09 PM

Forgot to mention, on the filter I just bought one of those expandable pliers that could wrap around it, I always forget the name, I think they are called channelocks. Just dont try putting a new one on with these, I prefer just to just hand tighten as much as I can.

eeeeek · 08-28-2003, 1:37 PM

How 'bout the K&N filter with the nut welded onto the end?

Serial Thriller · 08-28-2003, 3:16 PM

I use an old leather belt to get my oil filter off (works the same as a strap wrench). I put foil on the header under the filter (but still manage to make a bit of a mess) and maneuver the filter out the right side on my 929.

HawkGT · 08-28-2003, 5:46 PM

Thanks for the advise everybody. I ended up buying the wrench Oz was talking about (this thing is the best). The guy at the shop didn't even think it would work. He tried to sell me the end cap, but I have the same one and it won't fit onto the filter because of the number 2 or 3 pipe. Maybe there is a much thinner one there. I don't think the one I have or the one the shop tried to sell me was a honda filter wrench, but it might have been since it's a Honda only shop.
Anyway, I got the damn thing off with the wrench. The filter was on so tight the metal housing on the filter was scraping the base. I ended up taking the left lower fairing off because I couldn't get enough leverage to unscrew the filter.
I've learned 2 things: 1. Do what you can yourself and know it was done right.
2. That Big Bike Parts filter wrench is great and will make my next oil change a breeze.
Filled up with Mobil 1 (10w-30 car brand)
Thanks again.