oil filter screen

What are your thoughts on the importance of the oil filter screen? I did my first oil change on the 04 today and the screen was missing. I checked and it was not stuck up inside. I put it back together figuring it had been running fine without the screen, but if consensus is that it should be there, I'll order one and replace it at the next oil change...Thank you!!

Not really sure but someone on here may have an expert opinion. Personally I have wondered about leaving it out...  Haven't done it yet though.

That's a decent question mergus. None of my Honda motorcycles have ever had an externally accessible screen like that, but they all do have a strainer of some kind (which you can only access if you remove the oil pan). Maybe Honda made this one accessible due to the vertically split cases (no oil pan to unbolt).

From the service manual, the screen sits between the sump oil pickup and the oil pump, then the oil goes through the main oil filter before heading to the rest of the motor. So the screen is protecting the oil pump but the main filter looks after the rest. Given the absence of all the normal wear items in a conventional bike crankcase (gears and clutch) there would seem to be less need for a strainer in a Silverwing but I think for peace of mind it should be there.

Thank you Terry Smith! That was an excellent answer!

Hi, if it wasn’t needed Honda wouldn’t fit it, fit one.

I think the strainer is there as a visible indicator of engine wear, few if any will cut open the paper filter to check for particles, so, as above ..... " if it wasn’t needed Honda wouldn’t fit it, fit one"

Hi bud, Honda also didn't do Silver Wing owners any favours by fitting that silly soft alloy 'tappit' as a sump drain plug. Plenty of owners have damaged it rounding the corners off using the wrong type of socket to loosen it. It would have been far simpler if Honda had used a mild steel sump plug and a copper crush washer.

That in turn could have been replaced by an aftermarket steel sump plug fitted with a magnet. They're very effective at picking up fine metal particles,

Honda have fitted the new Forza with a steel sump drain plug, it's a weird looking thing with probably an inch of threads on it, and last time I searched online for a magnetic sump plug I couldn't find one. On the plus side, the oil filter is visible and easily accessible and it uses the same oil filters as the Silver Wing

Honda have a habit of using old tappet covers on modern bikes; the final drive oil filler cap on my 2009 ST1300 uses the same part as a 1970's CB750! Maybe they just made WAY too many of them in the 1970's and are still trying to shift the stock?

Meldrew wrote:

Hi bud, Honda also didn't do Silver Wing owners any favours by fitting that silly soft alloy 'tappit' as a sump drain plug. Plenty of owners have damaged it rounding the corners off using the wrong type of socket to loosen it.

Hi bud, I rounded mine when in a hurry one day, took a few pictures & posted this 'work around' .............

https://www.silverwing600.com/t10594-engine-drain-bolt?highlight=drain

The Bern wrote:

<…> I rounded mine when in a hurry one day, took a few pictures & posted this 'work around' .............

https://www.silverwing600.com/t10594-engine-drain-bolt?highlight=drain

Or you could upgrade to a billet drain plug.

https://www.dimecitycycles.com/j-webster-designs-honda-valve-tappet-covers-clear-or-black-anodized.html

Cosmic_Jumper wrote:

The Bern wrote:

<…> I rounded mine when in a hurry one day, took a few pictures & posted this 'work around' .............

https://www.silverwing600.com/t10594-engine-drain-bolt?highlight=drain

Or you could upgrade to a billet drain plug.

https://www.dimecitycycles.com/j-webster-designs-honda-valve-tappet-covers-clear-or-black-anodized.html

Wish they were available in the UK. Can send off for one on Ebay UK but they're charging $19.95 plus $14.95 postage. A bit pricey !