Oil Filter #$%^

So... At Laconia Bike Week a HD dealer (which I wrote about in another thread, you know, the one just south of Laconia that cost a buddy almost two days repair on a harness) was offering FREE oil and filter changes! Four of us took advantage of this amazing offer just for bike week attendees. They did the changes while they made believe they were fixing the wiring issue. If ya wanted the synthetic oil you only paid $20. Pretty good deal huh?! Well I just came up from the garage and I'd like to send a letter boom to them.

First I took your suggestions and punched a hole in the oil filter to drain it first. Nice and neat SO FAR. I let it drain for over an hour. Then I took my HD filter wrench, the expensive machined aluminum one, and applied it and all it did was spin because the filter was so F_N tight. The F-N filter was CRANKED onto the engine. They must have used an impact gun. I struggled and struggled then finally gave up on the wrench and got a hefty pair of waterpumps. Finally after squashing the crap out of it it began to come off. That F-N dealer. Then the oil STILL CAME OUT and made another mess of the engine and chassis. So much for the ice pick method!

(I enlarged the hole with a big phillips driver AND I punched another hole at the top of the can to allow air in for full draining. AND there was still oil in it when I took it off.)

They must of hired untrained temporary help for the onslaught of bikes thinking any dumb arse can change and oil filter. And which is insane given 1) the expensive bikes and 2)just how much damage a faulty oil change can costs.

Jiffy lube does the same thing.

No offense and don't get pissed but nothing is free, there is usually a hitch.

Free uh? If it sounds too good to be true, it is!:gah:

+1

Sorry you had that happen to you, Fatboy. Usually, oil filters should be tightened no more than a quarter turn after snugging. And even that might be too much. I never let anyone do maintenance work I can do myself for that very reason. Free or not.

I always do all of my own maintenance, cages too. and I know that saying about things being free, however, it was the a-hole "mechanic" that f'd me. Maybe cause the bike had a Nooo Yooork plate. Who knows, but one thing fer sure, the dealers reputation is paying fer it.

Meanwhile, I got a bunch of rope and pulleys. I'm riggin a way to lift the scooter up off the floor, then turn it on it's left side suspended from the ceiling. This way i can pull the filter without the oil spilling onto the engine case, rectifier and frame.

Meanwhile, I got a bunch of rope and pulleys. I'm riggin a way to lift the scooter up off the floor, then turn it on it's left side suspended from the ceiling. This way i can pull the filter without the oil spilling onto the engine case, rectifier and frame.[/QUOTE]

If'n you hack about 9" from the frame down tubes ya'll have plenty of room to get filter off without spillin a drop.

If'n you hack about 9" from the frame down tubes ya'll have plenty of room to get filter off without spillin a drop.[/QUOTE]

Tried that already. Helped some.

Tried that already. Helped some.[/QUOTE]

Make sure to use good duct tape to re-install down tubes. Don't want to take any chances

Make sure to use good duct tape to re-install down tubes. Don't want to take any chances[/QUOTE]

Wire wraps are pro looking

I did myself in once. Don't know my own strength. So I started tightening oil filters with just my first two fingers and thumb and once tight I back it off some to get it thinking about coming off. And the next time I change filters they are still tight. It must be the only thing on a vehicle that actually tightens it's self!:witsend:

Comon Man

They didn't want it to leak.

And they need Job security.
Guess next time you will let them do it.:roflmao: