I drained the oil a few weeks ago and couldn't get my filter removed at that time. I think the last person thought it needed to hold the whole bike together. I picked up a good strap wrench and have gotten it free now.

Can the filter be removed without draining the oil tank? I want to install the new filter and top it off, but wasn't sure if the tank would drian itself out the filter mount. Thanks.

 

If its a softail that your talking about you could pull the feed line and quickly plug the outlet but its likely to get messy. Then you could pull the filter without loosing whats in the oil tank. A better, and much easier way would be to buy yourself an oil extractor. Make sure the inside of the extractor is wiped really clean and then just drain your oil tank into the extractor to be re used. You will find that once you've used an oil extractor you'll be wondering what took you so long in getting one. Things come in really handy for many garage chores.

 

Just do the oil/filter change and be done with it. What it cost for lesson learned?

 

I've wondered about using an oil extractor myself. Where did you get it and how much?

 

No, the tank won't drain. Just did this myself when I got a different filter as a gift.

 

Do it fast, and you'll hardly lose any more oil than changing the filter when the oil tank is empty. Neither the supply or the return from the tank are open and unrestricted. Both need to find their way through the oil pumps (which have virtually no flow when the engine isn't running) to reach the filter.

 

Thanks. Thats the info I was looking for. Common sense told me it wouldn't, but just wanted to be sure.

And to Tampa, what lesson are you referring to?

I had the new filter along with the metal cap style Harley filter wrench. Filter was installed so tight by someone prior to me owning the bike, that the wrench would just slip. My bike also has the ABS module mounted on the frame right there, so no access for a standard strap style wrench with a handle, and no access to stab a screw driver through it either. Needed to ride, so just refilled.
I did pick up a strap style with no handle that allowed me to finally break the filter loose. I thought the new one I bought was going to break before the filter budged.

 

Tampa has the right idea.Change both the oil and filter.Why put in a new filter with already dirty oil?

 

If you think the oil that is only a few weeks old is still OK, just drain it, check it, change the filter, and if you're satisfied the drained oil is good enough refill using it.
Simple.

 

OP said the oil is only a few weeks old.

Why waste money?