tight clearance on "new" oil filter?
 

So I tried to get my first "357" filter off last night and had to revert to the caveman/screwdriver method (you know what I mean). When I bought the bike I got a bunch of oil filters (and a then "new style" wrench). Back then the going filter was the "541" part number.
The last batch of filters I got were the "357" ones. I noticed the different style (why do they do that...) but was ultimately happy to find that my old German "Hazet" filter wrench from my old GS fit these. I always only hand tighten them so did not notice when I put it on. Well, trying to get it off you can't get the filter wrench in there - too little clearance to the exhaust headers. Why do they do that??? The old Hazet filter wrench is already pretty slim... What do you all use?

Alternatively I could continue using the "541" filters, that's what my RT gets anyways...but then I'd have 3 more of the new ones flying around...

Opinions? Thanks in advance.

I use either this one

http://www.beepworld.de/memberdateie...schluessel.jpg

or that one

http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:A...0G3VlIRxGC6rVA

and yes sometimes the "screwdriver method " is not avoidable :1drink

cheers Steve

Thought of these (they go pretty well with the "advanced caveman" image), but then there is the warning in the manual "do not use a strap wrench to remove the oil filter" (of course they say nothing about the screwdriver method in there either :lol3 )

Last one I had put on hand tight I had to get and over sized set of channel locks to get off.... I figure as long as they go on nice they can come off however hahaha I tried the screwdriver method but that just started to tear the filter apart too.

isn't that something for the bedroom :scratch:whip

Switch to the K&N filter ... :wink:

Of the 23 different oil filter wrenches I've collected over the years, this one works well where there is clearance like on the bike ...

http://www.harborfreight.com/2-inch-...nch-36778.html

Ha ha...... or hospital....:clap:clap

Thanks JR. It's strange indeed that the K&N 164 is still the same filter for the 800 and the RT (and so were the BMW filters up to 2010) but then BMW changed the one for the 800... wonder why...

Good question ... but I have no clue....

On either this or one of the other filter threads it was hypothesized that BMW was on a binge to reduce the number of unique part numbers in the inventory system (a worthy goal) so was on a kick to consolidate to common base P/N where possible....

I've never understood why the world needed an entire wall of oil filters .... :huh
It doesn't seem like there are that many variables in play here ...
Pretty much every Ford (and a bunch of other brands) up into the 80's used a Fram PH8A or equal..........

http://www.framcatalog.com/PartDetai...b=F&pn=PH8A%22

I'd say depends with whom you share the room :D

:freaky

I have a similar unit to this one for our Scotts stainless filters. Works great, but admittedly it's a
tad pricey.

http://www.advdesigns.com/bmwunoilfiwr.html

interesting... seems to be assembly tolerance
 

So I was at the dealer Saturday and looked at three new F8GSs they had on the floor. One of them had the same very tight clearance (no way to get a filter wrench in there either), one somewhat tight, and one had plenty of room. Dealer Tech I talked to about this was not aware of this (which surprised me a little).
One new bike had a ding on the inside of the header right by the oil filter. So it seems to depend on how the headers are mounted from the factory. I will loosen mine and attempt to move them out of the way and if there is enough movement the oil filter wrench should fit.
Mine apparently were installed with too little clearance for the new filter to fit, and so was at least one new bike on the floor. Will report back after I try to rotate the headers out a little.

Well, after I drop the skid plates (AltRider or BudBuilt) to change the oil, and wind up using this type of wrench to help remove the filter w/o a problem on my vehicles.

http://www.alltradetools.com/catalog...ter-wrench.jpg