This may or may not be news to some of you. A few years back-I was getting tired of paying $12+ for factory Honda oil filters.
That said, I whipped out the trusty calipers and a used oil filter and went to Wal-Mart. I compared several filters with mine just by holding them up to eachother at the O'ring. After a few, I discovered what appeared to be the same length filter, with the very approx same diameter O'ring. I then took out the calipers and measured the thread diameter.
Ended up buying a FRAM 3593A for $3, took it home, and it spun right on. It appears to allow for proper flow from the oil inlet hole (in the engine block) just like the factory. I been using them for 4 years now with no problem. The filter cross references in the book (hanging up there on the filter aisle) with several 4 cylinder Honda cars. Honda is good about using some of the same components on many of their products.
Now the downside-they are orange and kind of stand out on the bike. (not that I care) So, if you are very particular, you can just buy several and spray paint them gloss black for that factory look. At this price, you can buy several, and just paint them all at once and have the ready for your next few oil changes. Just my two cents on saving $9 per oil change.
I was wondering about this very thing. The last filter I used was one of those FRAM filters. I had seen some disparaging remarks on the V4 forum and paid the big bucks for a real Honda filter this time around.
FRAM also makes one for bikes which is black but I can't remember the #.
I am new to MOOT, and haven't read the thoughts about the Fram filters. What have you heard bad about them?
I have no complaints thus far. The Wal-Mart near me (Lake Worth) is now carrying a line of motorcycle filters...I want to say they are Purlator (?) but can't remember for sure. The ones I saw there are black in color.
Search on this board for FRAM and the same on the V4hondabbs board for differing opinions.... They are somewhat inconclusive.
Here are links to oil filters.
A lot of reading but some good info put together by various people which you have to ultimately decide what you want to do. Close to the bottom of one site is a letter from FRAM.
http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oilfilterstudy.html
http://www.tobycreek.org/oil_filters/purolator.shtml
http://www.micapeak.com/bike/ST/ST1300/Oils.html
Well if there is one thing that is true about the internet it is that whatever your opinion on something-you can find both arguments for and against your side. It is hard to know what to believe. Of course-if the budget allows, it is probably better to err in spend more money and get the factory filter. BUT I will read for myself and consider all angles. After 4 years and a bunch of miles, seems to be no harm-but maybe I missed something. Thanks for the help.
Pay a little now.....Or a lot later??? LoL
Well I just read the links that were generously supplied to me, and I think I am out of the Fram oil filter buying for all my vehicles. No one seemed to think they were even passable.
Once I saw the cardboard ends glued to the paper element-got me to worrying a bit about that coming apart in the engine. Well, I guess if you were on a trip and damaged your filter-it is good to know what Wal-Mart available filter will fit your bike until you get her back home. Otherwise, buy something better if you can. Thanks for all the information and I feel like I have learned a bunch.
You can still purchase filters for a reasonable price compared to the Honda but it will be more than a Fram.
Look for sales or buying 3-4 at once off the internet can sometimes yeild favorable results.
I have used walmart brand of oil filters in my cars and trucks for years the walmart brand is made by purolator I have never seen any ill effects from using there filters I have also used them on my motorcycles and haven't ever had a problem with them. ST6607 fits my 86 Magna and they are allready painted black.
Well, I have several on hand and will def use them up before I change to anything new. My Father always used Fram filters in his farm pickups and we also never had a problem, at least not one we could attribute to a Fram filter. I am going to look into the ones they are carrying for bikes though. I would be happy to pay slightly more if it meant Wal-Mart would keep them there handy for me. Thanks for the insights.
BTW Mr. Turner....great looking Magna-is it an 85?
It's a 86 and thanks.