Oil filter -- K&N vs HD??

[woodmnctry]

Getting ready to change fluids before the riding season gets into full swing -- was thinking about switching from the HD oil filter to the K&N as they are easier to wrench --- not much but they are a bit more wrench friendly --- then the question came up -- do the K&N filters provide as good a job of filtering the oil as the HDs --- I would think that somebody / somewhere has performed an analysis of oil filter viability and service performance??

Also --- I have on occasion read about various methods and devices that limit the amount of oil leaked down the front of the engine during a filter change -- I have tried using modified coffee cans and other such contraptions but still wind up with some residual oil dripping down during the filter change so am asking for alternative ideas and ways to methods on this issue.

[FLTR2008TRIKE]

Getting ready to change fluids before the riding season gets into full swing -- was thinking about switching from the HD oil filter to the K&N as they are easier to wrench --- not much but they are a bit more wrench friendly --- then the question came up -- do the K&N filters provide as good a job of filtering the oil as the HDs --- I would think that somebody / somewhere has performed an analysis of oil filter viability and service performance??

Also --- I have on occasion read about various methods and devices that limit the amount of oil leaked down the front of the engine during a filter change -- I have tried using modified coffee cans and other such contraptions but still wind up with some residual oil dripping down during the filter change so am asking for alternative ideas and ways to methods on this issue.

K&N will do as good a job as the HD filter. The HD 5 micron is a absolute rating, not a nominal rating. Each filter is mass produced so its just an average for most filters and most of the time HD filters do not filter down to 5 microns.

As far as the oil spilling down from the filter, if you can remove the oil lines attached to the oil cooler will allow the oil in the filter that would spill out a way to drain before filter removal. It wont drain all the oil but enough you wont have a big mess.

Using good paper towels like Bounty stuffed under the filter and having brake clean at the ready will help keep the mess to a minimum.

[zbear]

Getting ready to change fluids before the riding season gets into full swing -- was thinking about switching from the HD oil filter to the K&N as they are easier to wrench --- not much but they are a bit more wrench friendly --- then the question came up -- do the K&N filters provide as good a job of filtering the oil as the HDs --- I would think that somebody / somewhere has performed an analysis of oil filter viability and service performance??

Also --- I have on occasion read about various methods and devices that limit the amount of oil leaked down the front of the engine during a filter change -- I have tried using modified coffee cans and other such contraptions but still wind up with some residual oil dripping down during the filter change so am asking for alternative ideas and ways to methods on this issue.

My next oil change will be with K&N filters. When the dealer did the 1000 mile service, they must have used all the torque possible to tighten the filter. It isn't easy to get a wrench on anyway, but I bent one filter wrench and ended up using a pair of wrenches at the same time to get it loose. At least with the K&N I will be able to get a socket on it as well as a filter wrench.

[irmagoo]

I'm a k and n filter guy I think they're great ...
I use a scrap pc. of vinyl siding that I slide in under and around the sides of filter 99% of the time I get all the oil to run down the vinyl funnel?? and don't get oil on everything in the shop!!! the 1 % of the time I hate to talk about
but then I spray mineral spirits on and around the oiled down area-after oil filter is installed!! ,,, then a little citrus cleaner and hose it off -no harm done

[Boom]

Also --- I have on occasion read about various methods and devices that limit the amount of oil leaked down the front of the engine during a filter change -- I have tried using modified coffee cans and other such contraptions but still wind up with some residual oil dripping down during the filter change so am asking for alternative ideas and ways to methods on this issue.

I always use a 2 liter plastic coke bottle with bottom cut out to fit over filter. I also use the filter removal tool that fits over the filter with a half inch cutout. The cap comes off the coke bottle and a long socket extension w/ratchet snaps into tool to remove filter. When filter is totally loose, remove extension and screw cap onto bottle. Pull out bottle w/filter. Even very carefully, you still may lose some oil.

[Darth]

I always use a 2 liter plastic coke bottle with bottom cut out to fit over filter. I also use the filter removal tool that fits over the filter with a half inch cutout. The cap comes off the coke bottle and a long socket extension w/ratchet snaps into tool to remove filter. When filter is totally loose, remove extension and screw cap onto bottle. Pull out bottle w/filter. Even very carefully, you still may lose some oil.

I do the exact same thing... works great. I also stuff either paper towels or a rag under the filter before doing this to soak up the extra so there is very little to clean up.

[Boom]

I do the exact same thing... works great. I also stuff either paper towels or a rag under the filter before doing this to soak up the extra so there is very little to clean up.

Good tip on the paper towels!