The purpose of the motorcycle oil filter is to remove harmful dirt, metal fragments, and debris in your motorcycle oil. Doing so keeps your motorcycle’s engine up and running. If there were no oil filters, all of these previously mentioned harmful pieces would go into the motorcycle engine and lead to serious engine damage.
These wastes cause an oil filter to become dirty, and it will become clogged after a while. With that being said, we need to change an oil filter periodically, and in this article, we will show you how it needs to be done.
So, how do you change a motorcycle oil filter? Use a socket wrench and unscrew the drain plug to release the old oil. Once you have removed the drain plug, you also need to replace the sealing washer. Get an oil filter wrench and use it to remove the old filter. Take a new oil filter and install it on the engine using a filter adaptor.
Further in this article, we will show you step by step guide on how to change an oil filter, so stay with us and continue reading.
Table of Contents
What Do I Need to Have to Change a Motorcycle Oil Filter?
Some of you who are reading this have already changed the oil filter and know that this is not something complicated to do, while some of you are now facing this “challenge” for the first time, but don’t worry; this is not something challenging to do. You don’t need to be some kind of motorcycle fanatic or expert to change your oil filter.
If you want to learn How to Fix a Motorcycle Clutch, click on this link
With that being said, we will give you a list of tools and items you need to perform this quite simple process.
The Tools and Items You Will Need:
- a new oil filter
- new oil
- nitrile gloves
- a rag
- a drain pan
- a wrench (to take off the drain plug)
- a torque wrench ( for reinstalling the drain plug)
- a new sealing washer ( for drain bolt)
How to Change a Motorcycle Oil Filter?
Changing the motorcycle oil filter is not a special process to do. It should take you no longer than 15 to 30 minutes, and it doesn’t demand any special tools to perform the change. You can save yourself some money on oil filter change, and we will teach you how to do it.
If you want to learn How Motorcycle Clutch Works, click on this link
If you have been on a recent ride and your motorcycle engine is scalding hot (so is the engine oil), you need to leave your motorcycle for some time to cool down a little bit.
Tip: Warmed-up oil will be easier to drain since you should also change your oil if you change the oil filter, so make sure it is not very hot or cold.
Step 1: Take off Bodywork
Remove any fairings or other pieces that stop you from reaching a motorcycle oil filter. If you have a toolkit that came along with your motorcycle, use it to remove the fairings. If there is no toolkit, use a Phillips screwdriver or Allen wrench for removal.
Note: Keep all the bolts and screws in the same spot so you don’t have any problems finding them later during the process.
Step 2: Remove the Oil Filler Cap
Use needle-nose pliers to remove the oil filler cap. The oil filer cap is a raised twisted cap made of black plastic material.
Step 3: Remove the Drain Plug
Take a drain pan and place it underneath the engine, use a socket wrench and unscrew the drain plug. Be careful when unscrewing the drain plug because the old oil will start to leak once you remove it. Use protective gloves to protect your hands from leaking oil.
Step 4: Change the Sealing Washer
Take the washer off the drain plug. Use a clean rag to wipe the drain plug. You should change it every time you replace the filter and oil.
Step 5: Remove the Oil Filter
Take the oil filter wrench and use it to remove the oil filter. After you have removed the oil filter, you need to remove the O-ring that was placed on top of the oil filter and was used to seal the filter. The oil filter wrench can be bought in most auto-moto stores.
Step 6: Take off the Plastic Mesh Filter
The plastic mesh filter is located on the side of the engine case. Take it off and use a clean rag to wipe and clean it. This step is suitable for cleaning other parts of the engine that may be dirty.
Step 7: Install a New Oil Filter
Use a new motorcycle oil, put a little bit of it on your fingers and wipe the O ring of the new filter to make it seal better. Take a new oil filter and screw it back into the engine using just your bare hands. Use a wrench and put a filter adaptor that will allow you to tighten it fully.
Step 8: Final Check
After you have drained all the old oil, take a clean rag and clean all the areas where the oil has been spilled. Return the plastic mesh filter and reconnect the oil drain plug. Take a new oil and fill it in your engine. Your motorcycle should be on a flat surface level because only in that position will you be sure how much oil level is currently in your engine and if you need to fill any more oil.
Turn on your motorcycle engine and leave it to warm up a little. After the motorcycle has been running for a while ( being at the same spot in the neutral position), turn it off and leave it to cool for a moment. The reason why you warmed it first and then left it to cool down second is to see how the oil level will change and if there is a need for more oil to be refilled.
Look at the oil window on your motorcycle crankcase and make sure that the oil is at the optimal level. If you notice that the oil level is not optimal and that there is lesser oil than it supposes to be, take oil and fill the rest until it satisfies the optimal level. If the oil level is optimal, this means that you have done a great job and your motorcycle is ready to ride.
Note: If you have any problems or doubts about your motorcycle oil, consult your motorcycle manual and act accordingly.
Tip: If you wish to learn How to Change Motorcycle Oil, click on this link to find all the necessary information about that process.
Watch this video if you still have any doubts about changing a motorcycle oil filter:
Conclusion
A motorcycle oil filter is a part that is responsible for cleaning the motorcycle oil. The oil filter collects metal fragments and other possibly harmful debris, and in that way, it increases the engine’s lifespan. Together with oil, they take care of your engine in a way that protects the engine and clutch from metal debris and pieces that would otherwise hurt the engine or clutch if there were no oil filters.
With that being said, make sure to change your motorcycle oil filter according to your motorcycle manual, or consult your mechanic for some professional advice.