$12 part= $7000 lawn decoration

[cyclesinct]

Originally Posted by Easy Rider

I think you need to review what the manual says. I believe you will find that it is: 2 turns past the point where it just barely makes contact....or something like that. Quite a difference from 2 turns after it feels tight.

Either way, it is STILL too much.

After having to use the screwdriver method on my tractor......where I had to remove body panels to get enough leverage.........I changed from hand-tight, 2 hands to hand-snug, one hand and then check it after the first run.

Yeah, I'm sitting at work, so I don't have the manual in front of me, so I was just going off of memory. You're right though, its two turns past contact. But like you said STILL too much!

[phil.dye]

Originally Posted by Easy Rider

After having to use the screwdriver method on my tractor......where I had to remove body panels to get enough leverage.........I changed from hand-tight, 2 hands to hand-snug, one hand and then check it after the first run.

Tractors are cool...I wish I had one.

[cyclesinct]

Originally Posted by phil.dye

Tractors are cool...I wish I had one.

I hear women think they're sexy (ok, who got the reference? lets see the rednecks in here!)

[FINISHMAN]

Also be sure that the rubber o ring on the old filter comes off with the old filter or when you put on the new filter it will warm up and then blow out the oil between the 2 o rings Dave FINISHLINE

[sarjent]

Originally Posted by cyclesinct

I hear women think they're sexy (ok, who got the reference? lets see the rednecks in here!)

Here ya go!

[Pinhead78]

Originally Posted by Rockyrikoko

Pop always said hand tight plus a quarter turn

[Trapper]

Actually, the real lyrics are "She thinks that Trapper's sexy!"

[ranger04]

Originally Posted by Trigger1985

Well, the lacky who installs the oil flters at Suzuki seems to have missed a critical step, oiling the gasket.

I highly dought they forgot to oil the filter-im going with the theory that they cranked the filter 2 1/2 turns past contact-way to tight. I as well had to use the screw driver method for the first oil change-since then I use the nice K&N filter, no problems since

[Trigger1985]

Well got it off, used a small nail to punch a tiny hole in the bottom of the filter to let it drain to avoid risking oil running down the screw driver and all over the parking lot, as it was the landlord was watching me pretty close. Made sure I pulled the o-ring, grabbed the new filter, somewhere between hand tight and 1/4 turn past hand tight. I used a Suzuki, they don't stock K&N motorcycle filters anywhere around here, but the ones with the hex on them look like a good plan, reduce the number of tools I have to lug around on longer trips. Filled it with that Valvoline Motorcycle Oil not the cheapo Wal-mart stuff I used when tried the first time.

Sorry to see I wasn't alone in the issues with the filter. Thanks for the tips.

[MotoJPizzle]

screwdriver has saved my butt many times, I think the oil that runs down my arm after I stab it is sorta like the blood from the idiot who either overtightened it or didnt put oil around the ring either way, its the same satisfaction.

[Hotform]

Trigger, I would love to see a picture of that strap wrench.
I think I know which type crushed your filter.
Here is a picture of the one I use.

It has a metal strap with a pivoting handle. I actually own two of them a larger one I use on my truck and one for my car and bikes. It took me a couple minutes of patience while I move it a little at a time, but off it came and they way it is built it won't crush the filter. I know everyone has their preference for how tight they think the filter should be, and I know a lot of them will disagree with me, but I make that sucker as tight as I can get it, with the same strap wrench. My reason for this is simple, I had one come off my Camaro one time and almost lost an engine. I also worked in a garage for a couple of years and saw a lot of loose filters. Thanks but no thanks.

[07M50Limited]

Originally Posted by Hotform

Trigger, I would love to see a picture of that strap wrench.
I think I know which type crushed your filter.
Here is a picture of the one I use.

It has a metal strap with a pivoting handle. I actually own two of them a larger one I use on my truck and one for my car and bikes. It took me a couple minutes of patience while I move it a little at a time, but off it came and they way it is built it won't crush the filter. I know everyone has their preference for how tight they think the filter should be, and I know a lot of them will disagree with me, but I make that sucker as tight as I can get it, with the same strap wrench. My reason for this is simple, I had one come off my Camaro one time and almost lost an engine. I also worked in a garage for a couple of years and saw a lot of loose filters. Thanks but no thanks.

I dont use those things, I use the end cap ones, and they wont crush the filter...The M50 uses a 65/67 mm end cap wrench...found at any auto store...Lisle 54700 - Oil Filter Wrench End Cap 65 & 67mm 14 Flutes

[draf]

Yep, the first time I did the oil change I used a strap oil filter wrench. It took me almost one hour to remove the filter and I scratched the metal bar under it! There is no space in there for this kind of wrench! It is hard to handle, it slips and it deforms the filter. Next morning I bought the special filter wrench recommended by the owner's manual. Looks like the one in the link posted by 07M50Limited. It works like a charm!

[Trigger1985]

Heres the "wrench,"

Auto Zone Guy recommended it, says he uses it on his Harley and his truck. Oh well, I tried one of those clamp down ones, didn't grip..Oh well, it was an ordeal, but I learned from it. I'm going to switch filters after the next change, which at the rate I ride a couple months from now. Found a fram with a cap wrench that fits, but I'm liking the K&N with the bolt on the end. And yeah scratch the hell out of the bar, took it down to the what ever is white under the black paint, I'll pick up some touch up tomorrow

[fbrown]

Hand tight and check for leaks while running.
On removing filter with a strap wrench make sure the strap is at the base of the filter.
For removing a stuck filter I use a chisel (on the base ring of the filter) pionted in the direction of removal and tap with a hammer ( use a dull chisel) or it will just cut the filter to peices. Hope this helps and don't ask me how I know all of this lol.

[blackie1491]

Just use your screwdriver.

I think most of us here have done that, including me a few weeks ago.

[Trigger1985]

already did.

[donny662]

Strap wrenches have been wonderful for me when taking off oil filters. Then again, I follow the directions that are on the filter which say to tighten it 3/4 turn after the gasket initially makes contact; I saw the 2 turn thing in the manual and laughed.

[womper]

anyone use this wrench?

i heard it's a heck of a lot easier and you don't ruin the filter in the process
suzuki wrench

i was thinking of getting one... hell, for $4 it's worth just having in the toolbox...

in all my cars that i've changed the oil, the filter always went on with my hands (a turn and a 1/4) and every time i tried to use the strap wrench to take it off, i always destroyed the filter and had to use the screwdriver...

after a while, i stopped using the strap wrench and just stabbed away with the screwdriver

[KD57]

I have used my strap wrench many times, it's about the only one that works on all the different types of equipment I have to change oil in. But on new equipment, the screwdriver method usually comes into play. The mfr's really torque them down at assembly.