I still use the Harley chrome filter, because my local indy stocks it, and it is always in stock, no guess work about where to find a filter or oil

 

I would have to agree. Most are not able to take the time or have the information at hand to do anything but get the HD filter.

I buy the black one, cheaper, and

since it is down low really looks better in that dark area of the bike.

 

Does anybody know what the psi rating on the Harley oil filter by-pass valve is? According to this site, http://motorcycleinfo.calsci.com/FilterXRef.html, these filters all have a psi of 8 and the ones in blue have a better than average micron rating. Just curious.

• Purolator PL10241 / PL25230
• Mobil1 M1-102
• Bosch 3330
• AMSOil SMF 133/134/135
• Baldwin B1413
• Fram PH6022, PH6065A
• Hastings LF576
• NAPA 1348
• Purolator ML16822
• WIX 51348

 

jb 1023, I read the link you posted and it seems to me that once your motor puts out 8 psi of pressure , the bypass opens and lets unfiltered oil to circulate thru your motor. If that's true, then any filter you install will only actually filter oil a small percentage of the time. On a Harley twin cam the moco specs a filter that filters particles as small as 5 microns. They don't say how many or what percentage of the time it filters particle that small. Alot of the filters listed don't state what size particles they can remove. To me that means more then who sells the cheapest filter. I can't believe Harley didn't put some serious thought about filter requirement for their motors, and even they don't think the "one size fits all'' is the way to go.,,

 

Its the differential pressure from one side of the media to the other when the bypass valve opens. A restricticted media will cause this to happen. If the oil is flowing properly the valve will not open regardless of pressure in the system except on cold starts when the oil is thick and cant flow through the media fast enough causing too much pressure on one side of the media and then opening the bypass valve at the set PSI. (8 psi). Hope this helps.

 

Thanks Big Cahuna and Dynarule for the input. I had purchased a Bosch but have since decided to return it and just stick with a black H-D filter. May or may not be the best but I know it is compatible and works. My local shop sells the black one for $9.61 after tax.

 

I usually use the Harley black filter.. I have a black FLHTCU.. So It matches the engine and area around the filter. However this change I happened to be at a store that had K&N filters.. I'm giving that a go this time.. I'll let you know what I find.. If anything...

 

I just installed a Wix Chrome filter made for to the Harley specs. Wix is made in the USA, not sure where Harley gets theirs made. Lots of their stuff they sell is made in CHINA! The Wix has the same specs as the Harley filter and if you check the Harley is a nominal 5 micron rating that really means it gets some of the 5 micron particals. Wix meets the same specs they just tell you the truth about the micron rating. I have used a couple of Fram filters in the last year that were made in India and China! whats up with that. Does anyone know who makes the oil filters for Harley?

 

the bypass only opens when the d/p is greater than 8 psig. Also the Wix has the bypass up front, best since it won't wash over the dirty filter like the ones with the bypass in the btm of the filter.

 

I just checked prices on WIX filter, part no.51348, for my '03 88" TC :$5.99 at the local auto parts store. The chrome version, WIX part no. 57348 is: $13.99

I've always used KN chrome filter, part no. KN171-c.

I'm switching to WIX because, IMHO, they are a better filter and the savings is a bonus. I'll miss the 11/16" nut on the KN filter though.

(edit)
BTW, the WIX no. 51348 is black and has the typical yellow label.