Oil filters for less $$$ (K75/100/?)

[CaptDistraction]

I just wanted to pass on something that will hopefully benefit others. The Fram PH6063 oil filter is just about identical to the BMW oil filter for K bikes according to my reading of the IBMWR parts substitution page. That filter may be had at www.partsamerica.com for $8.49 which is about half the price of the filter from BMW. To maintain that price advantage, you need to order at least six filters. This bumps you up over $50 for your order total and gets you free shipping. So get six for yourself and be set for several years of riding or go in with a buddy or two and be set for the year. Mine arrived today and they look just like the BMW filter that I bought the last time I had to do an oil change.

Please be sure to confirm the application for your bike, and just so I don't get into any trouble, I am not making any claims despite the obvious and substitute parts at your own risk (and I have no financial relationship with PartsAmerica).

Cheers,

David

[cjack]

I just wanted to pass on something that will hopefully benefit others. The Fram PH6063 oil filter is just about identical to the BMW oil filter for K bikes according to my reading of the IBMWR parts substitution page. That filter may be had at www.partsamerica.com for $8.49 which is about half the price of the filter from BMW. To maintain that price advantage, you need to order at least six filters. This bumps you up over $50 for your order total and gets you free shipping. So get six for yourself and be set for several years of riding or go in with a buddy or two and be set for the year. Mine arrived today and they look just like the BMW filter that I bought the last time I had to do an oil change.

Please be sure to confirm the application for your bike, and just so I don't get into any trouble, I am not making any claims despite the obvious and substitute parts at your own risk (and I have no financial relationship with PartsAmerica).
Cheers,

David

They were the exact filter, no paint on the metal, made in Austria at one time. Then for awhile they were painted black and made in Italy. I didn't have a local dealer back then and would have bought them in a minute if they were in fact the same manufacturer. Good to hear.

[djw]

The STP S3614 has been working fine for me, available at Autozone for about $3. Just have to peel off the sticker. I went to this from the Fram 3614 when they started putting that black grip stuff on their auto filters.

[PHMarvin]

Hi, David (CaptDistraction),
The first Fram 6063 I bought was, in fact, identical to the OEM filter, made in Austria, without the BMW logo. It was a Mahle OC-91. The next one I bought, also a Fram 6063, was painted black and made in Italy. It looked nothing like the OEM filter. And, knowing what I know about Fram automotive filters, I don't trust it since it is no longer made by the OEM manufacturer. I don't want to risk my K1100LT or Harriet's K75A/3 to a filter held together with string and cardboard. So I haven't used the Fram 6063 for years and don't plan to, unless they go back to repackaging the Mahle OC-91, the OEM filter.

[Motorman]

What is it you know about Fram filters that makes them so bad? That is a rather common brand and I don't see tons of vehicles self destructing on the road from Fram filters. There aren't that many manufacturers of filters period.

[cjack]

What is it you know about Fram filters that makes them so bad? That is a rather common brand and I don't see tons of vehicles self destructing on the road from Fram filters. There aren't that many manufacturers of filters period.

That's the funny thing about oil filters. If they don't leak on the drive or bust open or something, you have no idea if they are doing anything like filtering. There are some filter tests which show a pretty shoddy construction for Frams. I don't remember where...Google it...but again, the filtering test if there was one would be the real test. You know, like microns and stuff.

[johnnyquest]

Fram also makes a motorcycle-specific filter for the K-bike that you can get at checker/schucks/kragen stores. It's a little less expensive than the BMW filter, but IMO the BMW filters aren't that expensive and when I go to Iron Horse I get all the seals I need for the oil change with the filter as a kit.

JQ

[djw]

That's the funny thing about oil filters. If they don't leak on the drive or bust open or something, you have no idea if they are doing anything like filtering. There are some filter tests which show a pretty shoddy construction for Frams. I don't remember where...Google it...but again, the filtering test if there was one would be the real test. You know, like microns and stuff.

Try this link (http://motorcycleinfo.calsci.com/Consumables.html#OilFilters)

[Bobmws]

Some folks are just too "Value Driven"! If you want to save some money, stop changing (wasting a precious resource) oil at 3k miles, run it to 6k like BMW recommends for the newer bikes. :stick

[kbasa]

Some folks are just too "Value Driven"! If you want to save some money, stop changing (wasting a precious resource) oil at 3k miles, run it to 6k like BMW recommends for the newer bikes. :stick

Bingo. I've been using the 6K interval for a few years now. By spending half as much on oil, I can spend the full boat on a filter.

[BradfordBenn]

Bingo. I've been using the 6K interval for a few years now. By spending half as much on oil, I can spend the full boat on a filter.

Same thing I have been doing.

[PHMarvin]

Bingo. I've been using the 6K interval for a few years now. By spending half as much on oil, I can spend the full boat on a filter.

Or you can do what some of us (mostly) who have turned to the Dark Side do, which is use pure synthetic oil (Mobil 1 15w50 in my case) and change oil and filter every 10k miles or annually, whichever comes first! I did it with my '96 K1100LT (got 122k out of it before I sold it) and will do it to my '95 K1100LT as soon as it hits 20k miles. (It had 4833 miles on it when I bought it last year.)

[deilenberger]

Gotta agree with Phil. Have the DATA to back it up - had my oil tested last time I changed it at 6,000 miles. It was in fine condition and easily good for 10,000 miles. I'm doing it this year at 8,000 since that's the miles since I did it a year ago (shameful - but it's been one of those years..)

3,000 mile oil changes are a real waste of oil, time and oil filters.

[RTdavey]

Could someone post the BMW oil filter part # please.
I am wondering if the NEW "K" bike uses the same oil filter?
Thanks.
Dave

[cjack]

Could someone post the BMW oil filter part # please.
I am wondering if the NEW "K" bike uses the same oil filter?
Thanks.
Dave

The filter that originated on the K bikes in 1985 is #11 42 1 460 845. The new K engine is using #11 42 7 673 541. It is smaller in general and uses a different filter tool.

[RTdavey]

The filter that originated on the K bikes in 1985 is #11 42 1 460 845. The new K engine is using #11 42 7 673 541. It is smaller in general and uses a different filter tool.


cjack -
Thanks.
Do you have any aftermarket filter numbers for the new "K" bike???
The filter tool I bought from NAPA; but I would like to cross the filter over to a Purolater Pure One filter.
Thanks, again.

[dlearl476]

Fram Oil Filters Recalled
About a week ago, Less Criess who works for the Washington Motorcycle Road Racing Association (WMRRA), wrote that, although they hadn't had any problems with FRAM oil filters, a hot rumor said that some FRAM models were being recalled: "At our practice and race days this past weekend (April 16-17) we found NO suspect FRAM 6017 filters. It was a pain pulling fairing lowers and checking all the bikes that might have had them (FRAM 6017 fit Honda CBR600F2s and F3s as well as Yamaha Seca IIs) but it was well worth the effort just to be sure!"
We got the run-around for a few days while trying to verify this, until today (April 20th) when FRAM sent out the following admission:

Safety Recall
FRAM PH6017 Motorcycle Filters

To All Customers:

This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the
National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act. (Gee, FRAM, it's a bit
late to try and cover your ass.)

Allied-Signal Automotive Aftermarket, marketers of FRAM oil filters, has
determined that a defect which relates to motorcycle safety exists on
certain FRAM motorcycle oil filters. This effects the FRAM PH6017 oil
filter purchased from Allied-Signal between January 1, 1995 and March 16,
1995, The filter has "Made in Korea" printed in silver letters following
the Allied-Signal address on the side of the filter.

The PH6017, produced in Korea, is being recalled for thread problems
which could affect installation resulting in the filter blowing off in
service.

To correct this condition, all PH6017 oil filters marked "Made in Korea"
should be returned to the dealer for immediate credit. All dealers
should return the filter to:

Attention: Joyce Cole - RC195
AlliedSignal Automotive Aftermarket/Bemis
105 South Missouri Street
Jackson, TN 38301

For PH6017 filters that have been dealer installed, all service and
required parts as described in this letter will be provided free of
charge.

The work will take approximately 30 minutes to complete. However,
additional time may be required depending on how dealer appointments are
scheduled and processed. To obtain this free service, contact your
dealer as soon as possible to schedule an appointment.

If you have any problem obtaining the needed repair, please contact
AlliedSignal directly at 1-800-468-904. An AlliedSignal representative
will arrange for prompt attention to your vehicle.

We regret any inconvenience which this action may cause you. However, we
are concerned about your safety. If your dealer fails or is unable to
remedy this defect without charge and within a reasonable time, you may
submit a written complaint to the Administrator, National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration, 400 Seventh Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20590,
or call the toll-free Auto Safety Hotline at 1-800-424-9393.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

Is this an honest mistake or are they pinching pennies at our expense? We think it's the latter, so: Shame on you, FRAM, for trying to cut costs and utilizing cheap labor to make an extra buck or 10,000. And we'd be really pissed if the "Made in Korea" was actually "Made in North Korea," though that's not very likely. Don't be pinching pennies and jeopardizing motorcycle riders' lives anymore.
Thanks to Tedd Speck for typing in the FRAM press release.



There is a reason FRAM oil filters are cheap: They are cheeeeeeep.

Here's the LAST (http://www.scottsonline.com/products.php?PartType=3&Bike=Bmw) oil filter you'll ever need to buy.

[SIBUD]

There is a reason FRAM oil filters are cheap: They are cheeeeeeep.

Here's the LAST (http://www.scottsonline.com/products.php?PartType=3&Bike=Bmw) oil filter you'll ever need to buy.


Read this Oil Filters (http://motorcycleinfo.calsci.com/Filters.html#OilFilters) and see why you would never buy one. Holes are just too darn big to filter out a lot of junk.

[Motorman]

David,

So on the basis of one recall of one model oil fiter in a line up of quite a few if not well over 100, you fault the entire company. Gee what will you do if there is a recall of a BMW component?

[darencs]

The people that spend their spare time dissecting and examining all of the little parts of oil filters say great things about the Purolator PureONE filters, $5.49 each at Amazon.com. Unfortunately, they're on back order :(

[RTdavey]

The people that spend their spare time dissecting and examining all of the little parts of oil filters say great things about the Purolator PureONE filters, $5.49 each at Amazon.com. Unfortunately, they're on back order :(

Uh, Ok.
That's good info.
Now, can you tell me Specifically What the filter number is please?????????
I am looking for direct information here.

[djw]

Uh, Ok.
That's good info.
Now, can you tell me Specifically What the filter number is please?????????
I am looking for direct information here.

At Purolator's site (http://www.pureoil.com), they list the ML16825 as the equivalent for the Fram PH6063. They do not list a PureOne equivalent.

However, for the Fram PH3614 (or equivalent STP S3614), the equivalent Purolator filter is the L10241 or the PureOne PL10241.

Hope that helps.

[RTdavey]

At Purolator's site (http://www.pureoil.com), they list the ML16825 as the equivalent for the Fram PH6063. They do not list a PureOne equivalent.

However, for the Fram PH3614 (or equivalent STP S3614), the equivalent Purolator filter is the L10241 or the PureOne PL10241.

Hope that helps.

Don -
You are quoting these for the new "K" motor, the 2006 new GT right???
Thanks.

[PHMarvin]

Hi, RTDAVEY,
NO, the 6063, 3614, ML16825 and whatever other numbers have been thrown around are for oil filters which (supposedly) fit the OLD K-motors. I haven't seen any info on aftermarket filters for the new K-motors.

[djw]

Don -
You are quoting these for the new "K" motor, the 2006 new GT right???
Thanks.

davey,
Oops, sorry, I missed that you were looking for the new K. As Phil said, those numbers are for the old K.
Don

[BEEMERPECKER]

Good reference:

http://www.calsci.com/motorcycleinfo/FilterXRef.html

[angysdad]

I recently purchased my first K ('85 K100). It came with a Bosch filter and the PO recomended them. My mechanic, who runs a small shop specialising in BMWs, recomended BMW filters only...he did a 'bosch, no' sound in a decent fake german accent. He recommends oil every 3k, filter change every second oil change. After reading the comments, his idea seems good. The advantage is frequent oil change, and by changing the filter every second time, I run BMW filters at half the cost!
Denis

[Mudbug]

The oil filter for the K75, K100, and K1100 models are enclosed in a bath of oil. For that reason, I would avoid using any filter that is coated with black grip stuff that could be removed by sitting in that bath of hot oil for long periods of time.

I would avoid any filter that looks like this -
http://kjun.smugmug.com/Other/Avatars/85566/701380397_ufnK7-M.jpg

[PHMarvin]

I recently purchased my first K ('85 K100). It came with a Bosch filter and the PO recomended them. My mechanic, who runs a small shop specialising in BMWs, recomended BMW filters only...he did a 'bosch, no' sound in a decent fake german accent. He recommends oil every 3k, filter change every second oil change. After reading the comments, his idea seems good. The advantage is frequent oil change, and by changing the filter every second time, I run BMW filters at half the cost!
Denis

Bonjour, Denis,
BMW does not make filters. They buy oil filters, put the BMW logo on them, raise the price (a lot) and sell them through their parts system. The Original Equipment Manufacturer for your K-bike oil filters is Mahle. The filter number is OC-91.

Years ago, Fram repackaged the OEM filter (Mahle OC-91) in the Fram box and renumbered it as the Fram 6063. I bought one. Later, they changed suppliers and the filters were painted black and manufactured in Italy. I bought one, thinking it was still the Mahle. I was disappointed when I opened the box. I have not bought one for a few years, but have heard they again changed suppliers, the new one being in China.

Years ago, Fram was a well-respected brand. But seeing the construction of their automotive oil filters (cardboard end-plates and string holding things together), I changed brands of aftermarket filters. The brand of oil filter I'm most comfortable with now is ABF - Anything But Fram!

[BuddingGeezer]

At Purolator's site (http://www.pureoil.com), they list the ML16825 as the equivalent for the Fram PH6063. They do not list a PureOne equivalent.

However, for the Fram PH3614 (or equivalent STP S3614), the equivalent Purolator filter is the L10241 or the PureOne PL10241.

Hope that helps.

The reason Purolator does not recommend the auto filters for motorcycles is some motorcycle engines have roller crank bearings and generate very little oil pressure. I do not know all the engines with roller crank bearings but the original Kawasaki Z1 900s do. These type engines will not push enough oil through the auto filters, which tells one that the Purolator motorcycle specific filters really don't filter very well.

Bosch filters were made by Champion labs, as were the Walmart Supertec filters and some other brands. Purolator recently bought Bosch filters. I ran Supertec 7317 filters on my K100LT and have one on my Honda ST1100. I think the Supertec quality has dropped, maybe not in the filter media but it has gone from a rubber bypass valve to a hard plastic one. Bosch and Purolator claim to have a 99% filtering ability at 20 microns.

Any bike in warranty should use the oem or motorcycle model specific filter. Cuts down on warranty denials.

Ralph Sims


Ralph Sims

[ragtoplvr]

Also, Fram filters were specifically not allowed for the Cummings diesels used in Dodge trucks, they had under piston cooling jets. The fram would shed particles that would plug the jet, and the result was engine failure not covered by warranty. So there are 2 cases of fram failures. There is a TSB form Dodge on it, sometimes it is on line, but gets removed as copyright rules demand.

Fram used be be made in Nevada, MO and used to be very good. After they were bought by Allied Signal they were managed for maximum profit. Meaning the Nevada plant was closed, and every thing made where it can be bought the cheapest. Lots of people out of work as is normal for the USA now.

IMHO, you are paying for a name. Kinda like BMW maybe????

Rod

[osbornk]

The oil filter for the K75, K100, and K1100 models are enclosed in a bath of oil. For that reason, I would avoid using any filter that is coated with black grip stuff that could be removed by sitting in that bath of hot oil for long periods of time.

I would avoid any filter that looks like this -
http://kjun.smugmug.com/Other/Avatars/85566/701380397_ufnK7-M.jpg


I can confirm that the black stuff comes off and makes a mess.

[motoedde]

I can confirm that the black stuff comes off and makes a mess.

The new Purolator Pure Ones have a similar grip but the entire filter is coated with it:(

[Kayseventyfive]

The new Purolator Pure Ones have a similar grip but the entire filter is coated with it:(

Oh OH! I wonder if they have been outsourced to China like their lesser filters.

[motoedde]

This is what the new Purolator Pure Ones look like...the textured paint is similar to the Fram...

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000H7XJNQ/ref=asc_df_B000H7XJNQ954598?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&tag=googlecom09c9-20&linkCode=asn&creative=380341&creativeASIN=B000H7XJNQ