My first attempt at an oil change on the GW Trike

[paid4c4]

I'm use to working on my Ultra Limited and changing oil is a very quick and easy job. I figured the GW would also be quick and easy. I ordered an OEM oil filter, oil filter/plug combo wrench from Wingstuff and thought I was ready to go. My trike is a Motor Trike conversion and the floor board runs up into the front of the engine so there isn't much room to remove the filter or get to the plug. However after driving the trike onto a 2X4 on the left side and armed with my combo wrench I thought this is going to be a piece of cake. Wrong, the previous owner had used a Fram filter and the end of the filter doesn't fit my filter/plug combo wrench. None of my other oil filter wrenches are that small and I can't get a channel lock around it either. I guess AutoZone is my next stop to get a smaller filter wrench to remove the Fram. It looks like once I've replaced the Fram with a Honda filter my next change should be fairly easy. Are we having fun yet?
Bill

[Gold Rush]

I'm use to working on my Ultra Limited and changing oil is a very quick and easy job. I figured the GW would also be quick and easy. I ordered an OEM oil filter, oil filter/plug combo wrench from Wingstuff and thought I was ready to go. My trike is a Motor Trike conversion and the floor board runs up into the front of the engine so there isn't much room to remove the filter or get to the plug. However after driving the trike onto a 2X4 on the left side and armed with my combo wrench I thought this is going to be a piece of cake. Wrong, the previous owner had used a Fram filter and the end of the filter doesn't fit my filter/plug combo wrench. None of my other oil filter wrenches are that small and I can't get a channel lock around it either. I guess AutoZone is my next stop to get a smaller filter wrench to remove the Fram. It looks like once I've replaced the Fram with a Honda filter my next change should be fairly easy. Are we having fun yet?
Bill

Bill it is a little messy but you can drive a screwdriver through that old filter and break it loose then turn it out by hand. You most likely will never use that size filter wrench again so why buy one. JMHO....

If you do not have access to a lift table and have moderate woodworking skills you can build a set of ramps like mine. They raise all three wheels 4.5 inches so you can get to some things and also get a floor jack under to do serious lifting. Here is a photo. Use 2X6 for front wheel and 2X10 for rear wheels. Strap holds two halves together for getting the trike on and slotted on the front screw so the ramp portion is removable and out of the way while you roll around.

[paid4c4]

I've been thinking about the screw driving in the filter trick. I think I will drill a hole in the filter and let it drain all night which will cut down on the mess. Once I do that I'm committed as I won't be able to start the trike until the change is completed. Thanks for the idea.
Bill

[wehrme]

Just get a small strap wrench. It will work with any filter.

ps. I only tighten my filters hand-tight, then twist a extra quarter turn. Can usually turn the old filter off by hand.

[Ol' Man Jeb]

If you do not have access to a lift table and have moderate woodworking skills you can build a set of ramps like mine. They raise all three wheels 4.5 inches so you can get to some things and also get a floor jack under to do serious lifting. Here is a photo. Use 2X6 for front wheel and 2X10 for rear wheels. Strap holds two halves together for getting the trike on and slotted on the front screw so the ramp portion is removable and out of the way while you roll around.

That's the way I want to think when I grow up (BTW, I just turned 79)

[paid4c4]

Just get a small strap wrench. It will work with any filter.

ps. I only tighten my filters hand-tight, then twist a extra quarter turn. Can usually turn the old filter off by hand.

I have a much younger friend stopping by to see if he can loosen it by hand. Arthritis prevents me from getting a good grasp on it. This getting older thing isn't for the faint of heart. However at 66 I'm still riding on two wheels and the trike when the wife wants to go.
Bill

- - - Updated - - -

Bill it is a little messy but you can drive a screwdriver through that old filter and break it loose then turn it out by hand. You most likely will never use that size filter wrench again so why buy one. JMHO....

If you do not have access to a lift table and have moderate woodworking skills you can build a set of ramps like mine. They raise all three wheels 4.5 inches so you can get to some things and also get a floor jack under to do serious lifting. Here is a photo. Use 2X6 for front wheel and 2X10 for rear wheels. Strap holds two halves together for getting the trike on and slotted on the front screw so the ramp portion is removable and out of the way while you roll around.

Thanks for the photos I'm going to build something similar. How much trouble is it to drive the trike onto the ramps?
Bill

[Gold Rush]

I have a much younger friend stopping by to see if he can loosen it by hand. Arthritis prevents me from getting a good grasp on it. This getting older thing isn't for the faint of heart. However at 66 I'm still riding on two wheels and the trike when the wife wants to go.
Bill

- - - Updated - - -


Thanks for the photos I'm going to build something similar. How much trouble is it to drive the trike onto the ramps?
Bill

No problem getting onto the ramp at all. As I recall the flat area is about 14" and the actual ramps are 24 inches. If you make the ramp longer it will be even easier to go up. Be sure to put the stop board on the front. Keeps me from rolling off forward!

[JaysGone]

If I may make a suggestion and the heck with anyone's possible negative response.
Because there are no negatives. Size doesn't matter here.
Dump the OEM or any other filter you may have been using and try these. Its the only filter Ive used on any bike Ive owned in the last 10 years.
It makes a nightmare just a bad dream.
These used to be sold at Wally World for $3. I get them from Summit now and yes they are for Hondas.
Its half the size of the OEM filter and makes changes so easy with having the floor boards in the way.

http://www.summitracing.com/search?S...rd=CFF-COS6607

Yes that's my review at the bottom. I feel so strongly about using these filters I had to do it after all these years.
One of the few best kept secrets I still have.

[paid4c4]

Oil changed with the aid of younger hands and a phillips screw driver. Next change should be a lot easier. Thanks for all the suggestions and comments. I used the OEM Honda filter and Shell Rosella T6 synthetic.
Bill

- - - Updated - - -

Oil changed with the aid of younger hands and a phillips screw driver. Next change should be a lot easier. Thanks for all the suggestions and comments. I used the OEM Honda filter and Shell Rosella T6 synthetic.
Bill

[Burnerboy]

If I may make a suggestion and the heck with anyone's possible negative response.

Because there are no negatives. Size doesn't matter here.

Dump the OEM or any other filter you may have been using and try these. Its the only filter Ive used on any bike Ive owned in the last 10 years.

It makes a nightmare just a bad dream.

These used to be sold at Wally World for $3. I get them from Summit now and yes they are for Hondas.

Its half the size of the OEM filter and makes changes so easy with having the floor boards in the way.

http://www.summitracing.com/search?S...rd=CFF-COS6607

Yes that's my review at the bottom. I feel so strongly about using these filters I had to do it after all these years.

One of the few best kept secrets I still have.

Thank you, for this info,

and this filter fits your wing w/o leaks or problems ...Correct??