Oil filter adapter mod

[stormi]

Someone said Canadian Tire MotoMaster is good, but I have to confirm that.

iirc CT is using wix filters.  Probably better than the stealer filter but not the champion or purolator filters.

Most of the distributors will only be open during the weekdays.  You might want to try to make a few calls before the weekend.

[Vlad]

I got a "premium" CarQuest filter for now. They are apparently made by Wix and this one looks pretty good to me. It's certainly bigger than OEM, but will fit the Bandit fine.

Speaking of fitting, it looks like I'll have to remove the radiator hoses if I want to have enough room to remove the old thread, and there lies a problem. One of the bolts that hold the radiator hoses is rounded, so I can't remove it even with "sure-grip" socket :(. Couple that with my reluctance to throw away oil/filter after only 3,000Km and it looks like I might not be doing this mode very soon.

[Red01]

I don't suppose you have two old filters laying around and the necessary cutting tools that you could cut them apart and make two nuts to remove it?

[Vlad]

I don't suppose you have two old filters laying around and the necessary cutting tools that you could cut them apart and make two nuts to remove it?

You mean cut off the bottoms off two old filters tom make two nuts I can "counter" against each other (for lack of a better word) and use them as a wrench to unscrew the filter thread pipe? Sounds like a great idea. I'm just not sure what I would use to grab those "nuts" with. The filter back plates have holes that I can use for leverage... I think I have an old filter lying around, plus the one that's on now, but I don't have good tools to cut them open with unless you count a hacksaw, Dremel and bench grinder...

[Red01]

Yup, that's what I mean.  Might take a little while, but you could do it with the tools you listed.  Cut the filters off the plates with a hacksaw, trim the plates into a shape you can grab with Channel-Locks (slip-joint pliers) or Vise Grips with whichever of those is most effecient. 

I was actually thinking of cutting through all those holes in the plates and if you are good enough with your tools, you might even be able to fashion at least one of them into a shape you can get a wrench on - even if it is a Crescent (adjustable) Wrench.

It won't be a fast process... but given the special threads Mother Suzuki uses on the pipe, you probably aren't going to find metric nuts in that size and pitch down at the hardware or auto parts store... but you could always take that old filter down and check.

[Vlad]

Thanks for the clarification Red, definitely a good idea. I might still go with removing the radiator pipes since I want to do some work on the radiator too, but I'll definitely have this scheme in mind if I decide to do the adapter mod after.

[gunzip]

 I was advised by a member over at another forum that this adapter will not fit on the 1250 water cooled motor. This after I ordered it naturally 

[Vlad]

I was advised by a member over at another forum that this adapter will not fit on the 1250 water cooled motor. This after I ordered it naturally 

Interesting, I would assume they are the same. Do you know what the difference is or why it won't fit? If OEM filters are the same as for 1200 than the only difference can be the part that goes into the engine...

[Vlad]

The second post is updated with post-installation impressions. Check it out.

[Vlad]

Updates on communication with the adapter vendor Gordon Bales added to the second post. In short, this gentlemen has proven as an honest producer/vendor who cares about his customers, responds to concerns quickly and directly and acts immediately to remedy the issue. He definitely earned my business and everyone else who values my opinion and advice.

As mentioned in the first post, I don't personally know Mr. bales (although I can now say that I know him quite well as a businessman) and have no interest (especially not financial) in promoting his business other than sharing my experience as a highly satisfied customer. My apologies to those who find this disclaimer redundant, I just want to discourage potential tinfoil hat responses.

[downtimeguy]

I installed the oil adapter last month without much fuss.  I did end up destroying the thread on the old component in order to break it loose, but the new component fit well and installed easily with a hex socket.  A little red loctite as suggested, and no leaks to date.

I haven't gotten to ride hardly at all since then, but I can't detect any troubles in operation so far.  I went ahead and used the lower profile Purolator PL14612.

I bought 3 x of them for $5 each on Amazon with free shipping.  That should break the cost of buying the OEMs already.

[Vlad]

I installed the oil adapter last month without much fuss.  I did end up destroying the thread on the old component in order to break it loose, but the new component fit well and installed easily with a hex socket.  A little red loctite as suggested, and no leaks to date.

I've put over 2,000Km on my bike since I installed the tight adapter I initially received and everything is just fine. I got the new one with correctly machined threads (free, thanks to Mr. Bales) in the mean time but I don't think I'll bother to install it instead. M1-110 3.5" filter went behind stock headers without any clearance issues.

I haven't gotten to ride hardly at all since then, but I can't detect any troubles in operation so far.

If it doesn't give you any trouble right away it is not likely that it ever will.

[Vlad]

Just back from a 15,000Km trip (http://www.gtamotorcycle.com/vbforum/showthread.php?141908). The oil and filter changes were done in Canadian Tire parking lots in less than 30 minutes, including the time it took to buy oil and filter. Thanks to the Fumoto valve (http://www.quickoildrainvalve.com/) it was also a tool-less affair.

[stormi]

Awesome Vlad!  Good to hear it's working for you. 

[Vlad]

Awesome Vlad!  Good to hear it's working for you. 

Thanks Stormi. The less time I spend on maintenance the more time I have to ride. Especially on a long trip without the benefit of my garage, tools and a stash of oil and filters :).