Although it is redundant, the main function of the oil filter on a motorcycle is to retain impurities that may reach the lubricating oil before it begins its lubrication journey through the engine lubrication circuit. Otherwise, the metallic particles that come off from the friction of some elements and the combustion residues would pass into the oil and, by participating directly in the greasing process, would cause premature wear in the bearings, pistons and cylinder liners. the cylinders. The obstructions of the moving parts of the engine, popularly known as seizing, are another of the consequences of a malfunction of the oil filter. These can occur both because too much residue has passed through and blocks the moving parts, or because dirt has clogged the filter and what does not pass is the lubricant. Therefore, the oil filter is in charge of protecting the engine and providing it with greater durability.
Being a basic element for the proper functioning of the engine and having a low cost, it is not worth doing specific maintenance on the motorcycle’s oil filter. For this reason, we recommend that every time you change the lubricating oil, you also replace the filter. In the technical manuals of your motorcycles you will find the approximate life times of the lubricants. Be respectful to them. When you change the oil filter, be careful to tighten it correctly and not damage the thread on which it sits. Special care must also be taken to grease the O-ring that these filters usually carry with oil well when mounting the new one. Finally, do not throw it in the normal trash because it is highly polluting. Take it to a clean point along with the old oil that you have removed.
These filters are generally made with cellulose paper, cotton and synthetic materials by means of a simple system: the filtering element is placed on a metallic frame so that the oil pressure does not deform it and this is screwed onto the support piece in the circuit of lubrication. Each bike has its own, which fits perfectly. Do not exchange them or you will have a serious problem.
We can classify them, in general, into two types of filters, depending on how they have been manufactured:
Sealing: Equipped with a metal casing and an anti-drainage valve that maintains an oil reserve when the engine is turned off.
Cartridge: They do not have a casing and the motor is in charge of carrying out the function of the anti-drainage valve.
When oil filters do without metal parts, they are called ecological filters, since they are spare parts that are very easy to recycle and respectful of the environment.
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