Author Topic: Why is that filter so tight!  (Read 1767 times)

Online Lindsay S

  • Moving Up
  • **
  • Join Date: Jul 2024
  • Posts: 41
  • Karma: 0
Why is that filter so tight!
« on: 20.03. 2025 07:29 »
Here’s a question for you all and one that applies not only to our beloved motorcycles but to all engines employing a spin-on oil filter. Why, when they are screwed on with bare hands, does it take such tremendous force to remove them! I have just dropped the oil on my Flash after the engine’s first 500 miles and when I came to remove the Norton type filter, which was fitted just two and a half months ago, it took a lot of force with a chain wrench. Just glad I put it in a place where it was easily accessible!

Current bikes:
1958 BSA A10 Gold Flash
1954 Royal Enfield 350 Bullet
2019 Royal Enfield 650 Interceptor/ Watsonian GP sidecar outfit
Past Bikes:
1957 BSA Bantam D3
1958 BSA A10 Gold Flash (cafe racer)
1958 James Commodore 250
1956 Ariel Red hunter 350
1959 Panther 120/ Canterbury Carmobile sidecar outfit
1967 Suzuki 80

Offline Triton Thrasher

  • Scotland
  • Wise & Enlightened
  • *
  • Join Date: Feb 2009
  • Posts: 2151
  • Karma: 24
Re: Why is that filter so tight!
« Reply #1 on: 20.03. 2025 07:49 »
It goes on with oil on the rubber ring. The oil gets squeezed out.

Online Lindsay S

  • Moving Up
  • **
  • Join Date: Jul 2024
  • Posts: 41
  • Karma: 0
Re: Why is that filter so tight!
« Reply #2 on: 20.03. 2025 08:39 »
That makes sense but I was wondering if there was something special about that rubber, is it extra sticky?

Current bikes:
1958 BSA A10 Gold Flash
1954 Royal Enfield 350 Bullet
2019 Royal Enfield 650 Interceptor/ Watsonian GP sidecar outfit
Past Bikes:
1957 BSA Bantam D3
1958 BSA A10 Gold Flash (cafe racer)
1958 James Commodore 250
1956 Ariel Red hunter 350
1959 Panther 120/ Canterbury Carmobile sidecar outfit
1967 Suzuki 80

Online groily

  • Wise & Enlightened
  • *
  • Join Date: Jul 2007
  • Posts: 2150
  • Karma: 33
Re: Why is that filter so tight!
« Reply #3 on: 20.03. 2025 09:29 »
They all seem to be like that Lindsay. It's good they don't self-detach ever.
You can get at yours - but on my Notrun the PO put the filter right up behind the oil tank between frame and rear mudgard. Probably completely 'normal' on them, but very hard to undo sometimes. Hard enough to see even. Had to make a weapon to get the thing off first time I changed it. Probably buy a wrench with a pivot, but when you need one NOW  . . . Half inch bar and some bodgery, works pretty well.
Cars  . . . I've often pierced them right through with a long steel bar with a pointy end ground on and used that to get them started, if there's access. Can't do that on the Notrun though, no room and it'd bust the mounting I should think.
Bill

Offline Greybeard

  • Jack of all trades; master of none.
  • Wise & Enlightened
  • *
  • Join Date: Feb 2011
  • Posts: 10166
  • Karma: 53
Re: Why is that filter so tight!
« Reply #4 on: 22.03. 2025 10:45 »
Cars  . . . I've often pierced them right through with a long steel bar with a pointy end ground on and used that to get them started
Didn't you want to say large screwdriver? 😜
Greybeard (Neil)
2023 Gold Star
Supporter of THE DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN'S RIDE https://www.gentlemansride.com

Warwickshire UK


A Distinguished Gentleman Riding his 1955 Plunger Golden Flash

Offline trevinoz

  • Newcastle, N.S.W. Australia.
  • Wise & Enlightened
  • *
  • Join Date: Jul 2006
  • Posts: 3317
  • Karma: 71
Re: Why is that filter so tight!
« Reply #5 on: 23.03. 2025 20:32 »
This is what I use.

Online BSA500

  • Wise & Enlightened
  • *
  • Join Date: Dec 2007
  • Posts: 1009
  • Karma: 5
  • Tonbridge,Kent,UK
Re: Why is that filter so tight!
« Reply #6 on: 09.04. 2025 13:06 »
I had to unplumb my oil filter and bracket. Then crush the oil filter in a vice and clout the bracket until it came undone *eek*

1960 A7 (57 motor to SS spec)

Online muskrat

  • Global Moderator
  • Wise & Enlightened
  • **
  • Join Date: Jul 2009
  • Posts: 11457
  • Karma: 137
  • Lithgow NSW Oz
    • Shoalhaven Classic Motorcycle Club Inc
Re: Why is that filter so tight!
« Reply #7 on: 09.04. 2025 20:31 »
G'day Lindsay.
"They all do that sir" even with the recommended fitting of 1/4 turn after the seal contacts.
There are many types of oil filter tool out there, I have most of them. I use the filters with the hex on top mostly but 9 times out of 10 it rounds off. I usually revert to the plier type to remove them.
Cheers
'51 A7 plunger, '57 A7SS racer now a A10CR,  '83 CB1100F, 88 HD FXST, 2000 CBR929RR ex Honda Australia Superbike .
Australia
Muskys Plunger A7