"FRAM" OIL FILTERS

[allanruprecht]

Has enyone had any "good" or "bad" experiences with the FRAM motorcycle oil filters? They are considerably less expensive.

 

[boxermaf]

I've been using them in my airheads with good results, no problems - though I've heard of others who avoid them due to some tales of problems. Based on my firsthand experience to date, I see no reason to avoid using them.

 

[Bud]

Has enyone had any "good" or "bad" experiences with the FRAM motorcycle oil filters? They are considerably less expensive.

Some will tell you that they are junk and your engine is toast if you use them. Others will say they work great.

WW must sell millions per year. Don't seem to see tens of thousands of cars on the side of the road because of Fram filters.

YMMV

 

[12BSWAYED]

K&N

I've seen K&N makes an oil filter for air heads too...anyone used them?? Good, bad, indifferent??

 

[dlearl476]

Google "Oil Filters" and you'll get 3 less hits than googling "Oil." Sift through and you'll find some very in depth research about filters. I've never seen one that didn't rate Fram's a the bottom of the list, of close to it. If that works for you, have at it. And don't take my word for it, google for yourself.

IMHO, there are a multitude of good filters out there that are only marginally more expensive than Frams, why pinch pennies?

 

[20774]

IMHO, there are a multitude of good filters out there that are only marginally more expensive than Frams, why pinch pennies?

Haven't you heard..they say, the cheapest thing on a BMW motorcycle is the rider...

Kurt in S.A.

 

[PAULBACH]

On our own forum

Sometimes you get lucky enough to combine good quality and a better product.

In case you missed it check out this thread by dlearl476, post #2.

 

[Darryl Cainey]

My experience with Fram Oil Filters is not a good one!
I was drawn to them by the lower cost, they looked OK.
After my usual 2000 mile oil change interval on my 1977 R100RS I took out the filter and the rubber seal on the end of the filter stayed in the back of the oil cavity. It took me three hours to get that rubber seal off the long oil filter shaft. I had to sacrifice one of my wife"s fondue forks!
I took the filter to the place where I bought it and rhe gladly replaced it with appologies. They actually gave me 6 new filters.
I though it was a fluke so I tried again! 2000 miles and the rubber seal stays in the engine again!! Three hours to get that rubber seal off, now I'm pissed!!
Back to the Automotive Store and they put me in touch with the Fram Rep and he sent me a cheque for an estimation of my labour costs for the six hours I spent working on the bike.
Yes, I was pleased the way they handeled it, but I would not use them in my bike again!!
Darryl

 

[RIDERR1150GSADV]

On the 'older' K-bikes the filter is inside the oil pan and any filter with paint or other coating needs to be avoided like the plague. On oilheads where the filter is mounted outside there should be no problem. Having said that I avoid them, as their cardboard interiors are less than inspiring. Why spend $ 15K on a bike just to save a few $$ on filters? I know that the BMW/Mahle filters are pricey but they filter the finer particles as well. K&N and the Mobil1 filters are good too, but as long as my bike is under warranty I'll by the BMW filters. Just my 0.02 cts. YMMV

 

[Bud]

On the 'older' K-bikes the filter is inside the oil pan and any filter with paint or other coating needs to be avoided like the plague. On oilheads where the filter is mounted outside there should be no problem. Having said that I avoid them, as their cardboard interiors are less than inspiring. Why spend $ 15K on a bike just to save a few $$ on filters? I know that the BMW/Mahle filters are pricey but they filter the finer particles as well. K&N and the Mobil1 filters are good too, but as long as my bike is under warranty I'll by the BMW filters. Just my 0.02 cts. YMMV

The BMW filters for the K bikes are painted. I know of no oil filters that are unpainted.

 

[28796]

I went through a box of Fram Airhead filters years ago on my R90/S with no problems. No idea what they sell for these days but with the miles I now put on my Airheads I have no problem buying the German filters.

 

[osbornk]

On the 'older' K-bikes the filter is inside the oil pan and any filter with paint or other coating needs to be avoided like the plague. On oilheads where the filter is mounted outside there should be no problem. Having said that I avoid them, as their cardboard interiors are less than inspiring. Why spend $ 15K on a bike just to save a few $$ on filters? I know that the BMW/Mahle filters are pricey but they filter the finer particles as well. K&N and the Mobil1 filters are good too, but as long as my bike is under warranty I'll by the BMW filters. Just my 0.02 cts. YMMV

I've used Frams on K bikes for years. However, you need to avoid the one with the black gripping area on the end. It will come off and get in the pan. Other than that, there is not a problem.

 

[ssls6]

Assuming we're still talking about airheads, the BMW kit contains the gaskets and o-rings you need.

 

[Bill Burke]

In the automotive application, Fram has often come up short. Here's a sample:

http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oilfilters.html#avoid

 

[94867]

K&N and the Mobil1 filters are good too. I'm glad to hear that K&N filters rated well. They have a 17mm nut (also predrilled for safety wire) "welded" to the end, making removal much easier, and less messy, than any other filter, and doesn't require that you go out and buy a new filter wrench for each vehicle. I highly recommend the K&N, mail order about $11 (chaparral).

 

[dlearl476]

Sometimes you get lucky enough to combine good quality and a better product.

In case you missed it check out this thread by dlearl476, post #2.

Thanks for finding that, Paul. I was too busy to look at the time. I also can't seem to find a link to the RoadRacing News that announced WERA was not allowing bikes with FRAM filters to compete after several riders were injured when the plate separated from the can and the resulting oil slick caused accidents. This was several years ago, and according to FRAM the problem was a single batch of filters, but still.

 

[RIDERR1150GSADV]

I have had nothing but bad luck with Fram and therefore may be biased. IMHO they suck. If you had good luck with them fine but cardboard doesn't belong in a filter and that is what keeps the pleats in place. Like I said before penny wise pound foolish when trying to 'save' a few bucks on a 15K bike.. Drink one beer less or quit smoking, that will save a lot more then $$ too.

 

[twins4life]

Fram, just say no.

If you have any doubts cut one open and look at the insides. Very poor quality. The end caps dont seal on the filter. The filter has about 1/2 the media of all others. I cut a few open as was shocked at how poorly they are made.

They are the worst of the worst.

Some reading here: http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oilfilterstudy.html#fram

 

[RIDERR1150GSADV]

Check this site for more filter info: http://www.tobycreek.org/oil_filters/

And as to paint on the filters, there is quite a difference between the Mahle/BMW coated filters and the paint Fram uses.