Broke the inner lip of my oil filter cover

So I attempted to change the oil for the first time today, as a complete oil changing newbie.

I ran into a snag.

When I bought the bike, the previous owner stressed that when changing the oil filter, NOT to follow the advice of the manual, and remove the #2 exhaust pipe. he claims that with enough finagling, turning, twisting, and rotating you can squeeze the oil filter, and the oil filter cover out between the exhaust pipes. So I took his word, and loosened the centre bolt, and tried and tried and tried to remove the oil filter cover. after about 25 minutes of finagling, twisting, turning, and rotating, I gave up.

I called him, and asked if he was certain. he assured me that EVERY time he changed the oil, the exhaust pipes remained where they were. he said a gentle pressure may be required.... but it WILL fit.

I tried and tried and tried. and I got VERY frustrated. I was SO close. literally millimeters away from the oil filter cover from fitting between the bars. I figured if something gave just a few millimeters, it would come out. so I put a flat head screwdriver up against the O ring groove, and lightly tapped it with a hammer, trying to force it out between the exhaust pipes.

after about 3 or 4 consecutively harder swings the inner lip BROKE! about 2-3mm of the inner lip snapped right off. WHAT AN IDIOT I AM.

So now in full out panic mode, I sat down, calmed down, and tried to figure this stupid puzzle out. WHAT DO YOU KNOW.... I had NO idea that the center bolt comes CLEAR out. It was slightly stuck, and being so, made the removal between the exhaust pipes impossible. I tugged on the centre bolt.... and out it came. once removed, the oil filter cover slid out REALLY easily. I felt like a douche nozzle..... let me tell you that.

So I finished changing the oil, and put everything back together. 8 hours later... no drips under the bike.

I know this is NOT an XJ filter, or an XJ filter cover, but its the only google image I could find that showed the inner lip of the oil filter cover. the area I shaded red literally broke off my filter cover.





if there is no leak... and I removed the metal fragment, and the associated metal debris, is there any risk to leaving it as is?

 

if it doesn't leak it's fine. If it does, get a new one on ebay for 10 bucks (what I did after bending mine)

 

Thanks lou.

I absolutely LOVE this forum.

you guys put minds at ease; and educate. an incredible group of people you are.


Thanks for everything.