Ok, here’s the skinny…recently read a thread where valve noise was the subject. Since my bike seems to have a lot of valve noise, I paid attention. It was mentioned that switching from a 10 micron filter to a 30 micron filter may help. Found the following info from S&S FAQ section…

“If you run the 10 micron filter with an evolution style engine it will not be able to return oil through the filter fast enough causing the oil to back up into the lower end robbing power and/or causing oil to puke out of the lower end.
The 30 micron filter is designed to work best for your Evolution style engine, the filtration is still excellent and it will not cause oiling issues.”

Soooo, how in the heck do I figure out what the oil filters micron rating is on my bike right now, and has anyone tried this and what did you think? I had the 1000k service done at the stealer (will be changing the oil myself from now on).

 

that is singer sewing machine in action

all is normal

 

Yep...my bike sounds like a freaking 700lb sewing machine! Cant stand it!

 

I won't use anything but a 30 micron filter on any of my bikes, and wouldn't even consider using the 5 to 10 micron filter.

If you do a search there have been a few threads why many (including some Harley mechanics) consider the newer 5 micron, and even the 10 micron filters to be junk. Even more so when used on a EVO based engine....

Below are the 2 good 30 micron Harley filters that were developed for the EVO engines, along with their part number. I normally run the shorter filter, but during the hot summer months sometimes run the longer filter. It provides additional surface area that probably helps a bit when it comes to cooling the oil.

That comment you posted from the S&S FAQ section is exactly correct, and even more so when you consider that many times the "dealership guys" are installing not only 10 mic filters but 5 mic filters as well.

BTW, when using the right oil and filter none of my bikes sound like a 'sewing machine'..

 

Hey thanks for the info. I think Sunday I'll be changing the oil and filter on my bike. Right now I’m running SE synthetic and whatever filter they put on. Think I’m going to start running AMSoil 20w50 and a 30 micron filter…we’ll see how it goes. I know that I’m not going to eliminate the valve noise altogether, but something’s got to give.

 

I just picked up a filter for mine last week at the dealer and all they stock is the 30 micron (63796-77A).

 

I ran the K&N oil filter when I first got my 1200 thinking I was doing the right thing using a high quality filter, but after reading about the problems associated with running filters that were less than 30 microns, I took OFG's advice and went back to the MoCo filter.

Living in the hot south I run the longer HD 63813-90T chrome filter year round. At ~$9.00 from the local dealer, they're surprisingly inexpensive compared to the K&N.

 

Ok, got the oil and filter changed (not hard at all, wont EVER pay to have the stealer do it again). Put 20w50 AMSoil in and the HD chrome filter (63796-77A). Just from the sound of the engine in the garage, the change did seem to help with the excessive valve noise, but I haven’t taken it out on the road yet. The old oil in the filter was black as night and I only had 1000 miles on the oil. Here’s the next question for OldFenderGuy. How do you know that HD oil filter 63796-77A is a 30 micron? Lead mechanic at the stealer says it’s a 5 micron, and that Harley only makes 5 and 10 (the 10 being for the V-Rod). He said he would never put a 30 on a Sportster. I know he could be filling me up so that I’ll continue to buy HD stuff, but what gives?

 

Your mechanic at the dealer is mistaken. The 63796-77A and 63813-90T filters have been around since the time all BT's had EVO motors which used 30 micron filters. Since the Sporty is an EVO it runs the same filter.

 

Exactly....

Couldn't have said it better myself, and with the apparent knowledge base of that "Lead Mechanic" I wouldn't trust him to change my sparkplugs...