Filter change every time?

Only about 600/700 miles but 18 month since my last oil and filter change. dumped the oil today but wondering if I really need to change the filter. On mine i need to take off the exhaust which is a modest PITA.

 

If you're changing my milage, then give her a nw filter every-other oil change.
If you're changing by time (as in your case) then just change the oil. The tiny amount of oil in the filter is inconsequential.

If you haven't looked into the spin-on filter adapter, you should. With the smaller-size filters that are available now, you should be able to change the filter with the exhaust in place.

 

Is there a disadvantage to changing the filter every oil change other than the cost of the filter?

 

I keep reading that the exhaust needs to be removed in order to remove the oil filter on oil changes. Is this unique to just some XJ's? I am able to remove the filter housing between the middle #2&3 headers on my XJ750R SECA.. It takes a little bit of manipulating and twisting, but not difficult. Curious.

 

I think certain exhaust systems don't have enough room between the pipes to do so. Could be wrong on that. Haven't had time to look real close at my 750 that has a 4into1 exhaust on it. My 650 is no problem to get to the filter but has stock headpipes and crossover

 

Most all aftermarket systems have to be dropped in order to remove the filter housing. That's not necessary with the stock system.

 

The 4:1 Alfa exhaust on mine is very tight. In fact it's a bloody nuisnace to fit and I think I actually made some longer studs because of this. Possibly this is due to the oil cooler take-off
which pushes the filter housing forward, one of the down tubes is actually touching the filter housing bolt head.

 

I change my filters with every oil change, but I think I'd make an exception if the last one was that soon ago.

 

Most manufactures, be it cars or motorcycles list changing filter every other oil change , I up graded to spin on oil filter (Thanks xj4ever) so I change mine every oil change . This is just me , but filters are cheap and piece of mind that it catches any particles that are flowing through engine . My exhaust is a MAC 4 in to 2 exhaust and have no problem changing filter , as A100man states he has to pull exhaust to change his filter , not sure if spin on conversion would help .

 

Stock filter on my stock XJ550. Not difficult to replace, but messy, since you have to press the old filter off the housing bolt, etc.

I change mine every other change.

 

Aluminum foil is you friend. Cover the lower portion of the headers with it. Shaped properly, any spills will be directed into your oil catch pan.

 

mac4 to 1 system for 550's filter housing can be rotated but not pulled through the header pipes

 

Good idea, but the mess is getting the filter out of the housing, not removing the housing from the bike! Oily fingers!

 

Sorry, that's not oil. I believe that is a glove.