Permanent oil filter

Hi guys and gals, Any thoughts or personal experiences using a reusable stainless steel oil filter in the Swing. I was browsing thru Ebay and saw the item for sale for about $100.00. It sounds like a great idea, but I'm not experienced enough to judge this for myself. I can see some potential savings in the lifetime of the Swing; but I could easily be overlooking something in the equation. Your thoughts and opinions on this. Thanks.

Hi "cotetoi",
And welcome to the forum (since I know I haven't been very good at formally greeting folks recently). Anyway, you need to do a search on this site and see the zillion + 1 comments that have been made on this subject. I'm not the expert here but basically the ease of maintenance when using throw away filters (the brand of your choice) far outweighs the use of anything more permanent that would require cleaning. Just my two cents worth but, seriously, check out the search function items. Good Luck.

Use cheap throw away filters---even if you ride 50,000 miles a year, still cheap, changing oil filters every other oil change.

Thanks, guys. I did the search thing ( should have, to begin with) and found the article on filters and specifically the permanent stainless steel ones. Great info: disposable filters are the way to go. I have used WIX on my shadow, and will see if there is one for the Swing.

Seems to me that if you've got a hundred dollar bill burning a hole in your pocket there are better things to spend it on than a stainless steel filter --no matter how "permanent" the element might be. Like maybe a Service Manual, an extra set of brake pads, a set Dr Pulley variator slider weights, nor an aftermarket windscreen.

Kind of funny you guys are knocking stainless steel oil filters as being junk.
FYI, stainless steel cleanable oil filters are used in RollsRoyce 250 gas turbine engines, found in most smaller helicopters from the late 50's to present.

Hi "RR250",
Not knocking anything, especially jet engine oil filters. It's just that the Silver Wing engine doesn't require a filter that critical; nor that specialized. But anyway, I know what you're talking about; changed jet engine filters very regularly for 20 years.  

DickO wrote:

 It's just that the Silver Wing engine doesn't require a filter that critical; nor that specialized.  

That's a given.
As I stated, these guys were calling all stainless steel oil filters junk. Not all stainless steel oil filters are junk.

SS filter - interesting! I doubt many of us ride enough to make this investment pay off - so, is there some other reason to buy one?

john grinsel wrote:

..... changing oil filters every other oil change.

John - Are you saying that you change your oil filter every 16,000 miles? How is that working out for you. Do you use synthetic oil - or what brand do you use?

Dimond wrote:

SS filter - interesting!  I doubt many of us ride enough to make this investment pay off - so, is there some other reason to buy one?

john grinsel wrote:

..... changing oil filters every other oil change.

John - Are you saying that you change your oil filter every 16,000 miles? How is that working out for you.  Do you use synthetic oil - or what brand do you use?

FWIW I've got 80000 miles on my '03 and have changed the filter everyother time. I have also used Mobil 1 full synthetic oil from day-one as well.

In this I agree with Prof Grinsel.

Tim

to clarify----I change filters every other oil change---I change oil every 2,000 miles or 60 days----only WalMart house brand 10-40-----worked for me for the last 500,000 2 wheel miles. Recent bikes=56,000 miles on Concours when traded,highest Helix 50,000 miles at trade time----my Burgman 400 turned 31,000 miles today----wouldn't even think of long intervals or overpriced oil-----you should see what comes out of crankcase at 2,000---all my bikes are purchased new----WalMart oil worked good in new Miata, too.

Had oil & filter changed at the dealer yesterday. 700 miles. $35.00 for oil & filter, $75.00 labor. I think I will try it myself the next time.

mike712 wrote:

Had oil & filter changed at the dealer yesterday. 700 miles. $35.00 for oil & filter, $75.00 labor.  I think I will try it myself the next time.

 There are excellent pictorials and advice to help you. Be sure to get the 6 point socket to prevent rounding off the tappit. I picked one up at Auto Zone.  $110.00 for an oil change is ridiculous and should be considered robbery.  

Hi Yo wrote:

mike712 wrote:

Had oil & filter changed at the dealer yesterday. 700 miles. $35.00 for oil & filter, $75.00 labor.  I think I will try it myself the next time.

 $110.00 for an oil change is ridiculous and should be considered robbery.  

Especially when I pay 150.00 for my diesel truck that takes a whole lot more oil too.

I believe that there is a conspiracy by the oil company's, going on, as far as changing your oil every 6 months or 3000 miles. Except for the first oil change.

In my Toyota truck and all of my cars that I have owned since I graduated from collage with a degree in mechanics and now in my S/W I change at 4000 and replace the filter at the same time.
It only cost me about $ 25.00 for the S/W and $ 35.00 for my truck.
Always using synthetic oil.

My truck has 150,000 and looks and drives like new.
This works for me, and is so easy to do, why would anyone pay to have it done?