Oil Filter, how cool is this?

[buzzcut]

Hi all. Just bought a bergman oil adapter kit from murphs kits. Always wanted one on my connie but never did it. just found out it fits about 26 bikes of which the voyager 1200 is one. allows for spin on filters and just less mess. thought this fits the title...how cool is this lol

[Bonnie and Clyde]

Hi all. Just bought a bergman oil adapter kit from murphs kits. Always wanted one on my connie but never did it. just found out it fits about 26 bikes of which the voyager 1200 is one. allows for spin on filters and just less mess. thought this fits the title...how cool is this lol

Great now you tell us!

[SgtSlag]

Need links, please! I put a conversion kit on my 1979 Honda CB750. That adapter allowed me to add an oil cooler, and a spin-on oil filter. That bike used the same filter as the V-1200. I LOVED that spin-on filter, compared to the cartridge filter... Inquiring minds want to know -- and to order the kit! Cheers!


OK, I got off my lazyness, and I found the site: Link. They have PDF's listing all sorts of things, including a list of Kawasaki bikes the kit will work on: ZG1200, 1986 - 2003! They also list spin-on filters that will work and fit. On my Honda, I had to make an educated guess...

The kit cost is $144 + S/H. Not bad. The converter for my Honda, cost me around one Benjamin, back in 2009. I've been wondering since I bought my 1200, in 2010, if such a converter kit were possible. Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus, and there is a conversion kit for the V-1200's! Hallelujah, Baby! Yes, I am a little bit excited by this news...

[SgtSlag]

Take a look at this cross-section diagram of the old filtration system, and the new one: link. Looking at the photo's, I could not figure out how it sealed the oil into the underside of the bike.

I would advise caution in your selection of spin-on filters as you do not want it to protrude any further out of the bike's underbelly chassis, than is absolutely necessary. Still, if I can find a filter that is basically flush with the undercarriage, it will be golden! It should be very possible to find such a mass produced, readily available filter. Cheers!

[GrandpaDenny]

It looks like all of the commercially available filters will protrude down below the engine. The question is how far. In any case, one speed bump taken wrong and there goes the oil filter.

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On the murphkits.com site where the spinon filter is located, there is information on the short filters that will work. pretty sure something else will scrape before the filter....if short.

[Nails]

I would advise caution in your selection of spin-on filters as you do not want it to protrude any further out of the bike's underbelly chassis

I also must urge caution. On my bike, a PO found a way to deform the filter cover bolt. It obviously bashed onto something, despite being way up in there.

Yeah, my suspension was shot -- haven't bottomed out since Progressives in front and air in back. But these days I also occasionally venture off pavement ... a little ways.

[GrandpaDenny]

On the murphkits.com site where the spinon filter is located, there is information on the short filters that will work. pretty sure something else will scrape before the filter....if short.

The pictures of the filters, short and long, show them installed and how far they protrude. The shortest of the short filters still protrude below the engine. It's your bike, do what you want.

[SgtSlag]

When I added a spin-on filter adapter to my Honda, I also put a metal filter cover over it: the filter sat right behind the front wheel, taking rock hits as I drove. This added tremendous strength to it, but hitting something like a concrete curb would still have crushed the metal filter cover, along with the filter housing, itself.

I have seen spin-on filters take a hit, and deform. It has been rare, but I have seen it. It is another aspect of personal risk management. One could fabricate a cover plate, over the filter, but it really seems like using the OEM plate and bolt would be wiser, if the owner is that concerned with protecting the spin-on filter.

Honestly, I am really considering this adapter kit. If my bike takes such a hit on the belly, the 29-year-old OEM aluminum filter plate cover will likely be damaged, as well. I do not take my Voyager off-road, except on gravel, when necessary. It is all about your personal risk management. I love having the option for a spin-on filter. I will be chewing on this for a month or so, before making a decision. Cheers!

[GrandpaDenny]

I'm waiting for one of three things to happen as a result of this thread:

1: Gene (ekap1200) will come up with a really cool shiny stainless steel doohickey to protect the spin-on oil filter, or
2: Nails will modify the internals of his engine to fit the spin-on filter inside, or
3: Nails will come up with some way of eliminating the oil filter entirely as "unnecessary".

Somebody (me) needs to go for a looooooooong ride. I'm off Friday AND Saturday and don't have to be to work Sunday until the evening, so at least I'm going to ride with the Retreads. Gertrude's got a new front tire, and I fixed the front brake switch, and tomorrow I'm off so if the weather cooperates I'll do the rear brakes (and stainess brake line that I've had for over a year) and actually get her inspected.

[buzzcut]

the filter adapater just arrived. I did some measuring from engine bottom to oil filter nut and came out with 25mm below engine. with the napa gold 1365 at 2.6 inches long sitting in the cup, it measures 31mm below engine so only 6mm longer than the oil filter nut (1/4 inch). for those who are interested. 1/4 inch is not likely to hit anything imho and it will dent before it cracks anyways. Respectfully, not looking for arguments btw.

[SgtSlag]

Thanks for the info. Much appreciated!

I really miss my spin-on from my Honda. I think I will order the adapter when I return from my vacation, in a few weeks. Cheers!

[Nails]

Respectfully, not looking for arguments btw.

Gosh, somebody's liable to get the impression that this site can be a bit argumentative.

1/4 inch is not likely to hit anything imho and it will dent before it cracks anyways.

Yeah, that doesn't sound like much risk, given that the stock configuration is recessed anyway.

But as mentioned, my bike took a beating down there. My headers also were badly dented. viewtopic.php?p=85649#p85649 Replacing the springs and fork oil in front and the "fork" oil in back (with correct air pressure) did wonders -- I used to bottom on speed bumps, but haven't anywhere since those repairs. This improvement surprised me because the ride height didn't change.

I'm just arguing to take a look at the dents and scrapes already down there and maybe plan some suspension work first.

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valid point. no scrapes or dents and nut is in perfect shape if a tad dirty. But it is my bike and I will do what I want( sort of above quote - too sensitive sometimes) Of course, this gives me a baseline if I ever wanted to go to longer filters which I really don't see happening for me. BTW after 40 years of sport touring suspension, I had to bump up the air pressure to 50 one up to get the right handling feel for me. Took some digging to find out what the rear shocks could handle but its 72. Changed out the 20 year year old shock oil with amsoil and what a difference....for me. wife is comfortable at 55 psi in rear. so no bottoming out is likely . Amsoil in front too with stock at 8 psi and feels great. i went from progressives in my connie to emulators and wow. so If i upgrade it will be emulators again. Sad to say I threw out the progressives which would have fit....Always after the garage cleaning do you need something you threw out lol

[Nails]

I've been reminded that I'm running a bit behind schedule, making my bike mine.

My shock oil honestly looked like pus -- surely was original. I went with ATF to clean it out, but if it comes back a recognizable oil substance I plan to change to real fork oil this time.

I understand that the most common emulators that fit are a PITA to adjust. But once there ... you know the story.

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HI all

so I finally installed the adapter kit. Hopefully the pic shows well. I tried to compare it to the drain plug so you can see for yourself the 6mm. I daresay the centre stand pivot will hit before the filter will..

[Nails]

Okay, before fixing my suspension, this definitely would've been toast. I kept saying "drain plug" when I meant the pup that holds the stock filter cover in place. It's recessed well above the drain plug, but still managed to get whacked to hell and gone on something that wasn't just a clumsy wrench.

I totally agree that there's lots of stuff hanging lower, and I can't explain that. But it really did get whacked all the same -- I don't know why it didn't break the cover.

With respect, this mod isn't for me, even after fixing my suspension. But I have a way to deal with the stock filter that doesn't involve rolling around in the mud.

And yes, my bike obviously had a colorful history. Only an idiot would've bought it.

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Follow up report on the filter with 1500 km of rough, dirt and speed bumps.

No scrapes.:)

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Still no bumps or scrapes with several months of daily riding. I would say dragging the oil filter is an extremely rare event and Ive done two up over speed bumps etc. I am using the shortest of the oil filters though. Very happy with this mod. Just fyi

[Nails]

Cool beans.
I haven't touched down since replacing the shock oil the first time. The puss-like substance that was in there still gives me nightmares.
But before then I smashed the motor into stuff practically every ride.