[Bath Bullet]

Just did my 500km oil change the other day, the service schedule says clean the filter, it seems to indicate that a new one is not needed for 4 services (9000kms)however, for the price of a new one I would always use new.
Having said that I thought I would clean the 'old' one just in case I forgot to get a new one, or had to drop the oil between services for some reason.
I soaked it in petrol, in a screw lid jar for safety, agitated it, then washed it in clean petrol.
This is the o.e item, marked 'Steelbird March 2001'
I found lots of small fluff balls coming off, and the fabric was coming unstuck from the steel, certainly not fit for use again, imagine those bits clogging the oil ways, disaster!
Like I said, I think for the small cost, best to use new every time, I'll order a stock now!
Any one know of a replacement element that's better than the one available please?
Many thanks,

[Kevin Mahoney]

I have always wondered about washing the filter. In India pennys count and people crab over a bike that has any amount of oil in it when it comes time to change it. I am afraid that the washing advice is about as dated as this advice.
http://store.royalenfieldusa.com/potato

[1Blackwolf1]

 ;)i wondered about that also maybe they have filters there are more like a VW.  Then you could get away with a wash and install.

[Bath Bullet]

The price for a filter for any motorcycle is about £8 in Britain, be it a screw canister type or eliment like I used on my Aprilia 1000 V twin engine, o.k., I know there are usually more miles before changes, but I would gladly pay nearer those prices for some thing better if some one could find a replacement better made item, I do wonder about those bits of fluff clogging an oilway.
I can get 4 for £7.50, say's it all really!

[1Blackwolf1]

The price for a filter for any motorcycle is about £8 in Britain, be it a screw canister type or eliment like I used on my Aprilia 1000 V twin engine, o.k., I know there are usually more miles before changes, but I would gladly pay nearer those prices for some thing better if some one could find a replacement better made item, I do wonder about those bits of fluff clogging an oilway.
I can get 4 for £7.50, say it all really!

  I think that about these also, the Electra lean burn has a real looking filter at least.  Kind of wonder if RE could make one like that for the iron head.

[Foggy_Auggie]

The only bushings in a 500 iron is the conn rod floating big end and wrist pin.  So that fluffy filter must be O.K. for all the years it's been used.

Just change it, don't clean it and throw the old away.

[Sag Harbor~Bullet]

I just changed my oil for the first time as well. My dealer had given me a replacement filter with the felt fabric 'wrapper'. I changed the oil (and filter) in less than 45 minutes.

Ironically, later in the day, my UPS parcel arrived from the on-line store with an assortment of goodies, including a 5 pack of filters which looked very different from what I had just installed.

These have no felt wrapper, although they appeared to be the same size. I'm wondering if that matters at all on the next change?

I have a Bullet Deluxe with an aluminum engine.

Thanks in advance for the reply.

[ace.cafe]

I thought this looked like a pretty sweet unit to install into the external rocker feed lines.

http://www.dcclassicmotorcycles.co.uk/parts/oil_filtration/oil_filtration.htm


It doesn't really matter much where in the oil cycle the filter is, as long as it gets filtered in each  cycle. Also could help for oil cooling in the rocker line.

Pretty pricey, but kinda nice too.
One of the guys on another forum from Australia said that the Electra X AVL filter is used in this item, so it's easy filter replacement from CMW. Check on that to be sure, because I only have "hear-say" info on that.

[Sag Harbor~Bullet]

I ordered an OEM filter for the avl engine as you had shown
http://store.royalenfieldusa.com/oem-oil-filter-avl

The one my dealer gave me, and that had been was originally installed was this one...
http://store.royalenfieldusa.com/oem-oil-filter

They both are listed as options for the Deluxe. I was just curious if one was better than the other. My dealer seems to go with the felt ones.


Thanks for the post.
BTW that's a very cool add-on to the bike.

[Kevin Mahoney]

You cannot and should not use the felt filter in a bike with the AVL Lean-Burn engine. It will not fit unless you somehow stuff it into the engine. It is the wrong filter - you have to use the paper type

[LotusSevenMan]

Scots B
Think you'll find that those fluffy balls that come off the filter pass easily through the oilways but help to take up the slack in the floating big end bushing and act as dampers thereby giving a softer, less vibration feel to the engine............... Oh, OK. I'll get my coat 

[Bath Bullet]

No room, not with the sawdust I put in there to quieten the tappets down!

[Sag Harbor~Bullet]

You cannot and should not use the felt filter in a bike with the AVL Lean-Burn engine. It will not fit unless you somehow stuff it into the engine. It is the wrong filter - you have to use the paper type

Thanks Kevin.

Somehow I got the thing in there.  I soaked it in a little oil first.
Taking the original one out wasn't exactly a piece of cake.


In any event I'm glad to know that I've ordered the correct filter.
Is there any problem in keeping the felt one in place?

[t120rbullet]

Thanks Kevin.
Somehow I got the thing in there.  I soaked it in a little oil first.
Taking the original one out wasn't exactly a piece of cake.
In any event I'm glad to know that I've ordered the correct filter.
Is there any problem in keeping the felt one in place?

Are you sure you have a AVL engine?
I don't think they put the AVL in a classic until 08.
I also don't think the felt filter will even fit in the AVL nor the paper one fit the old engine.
The AVL one is shorter and bigger around than the felt one.

[Sag Harbor~Bullet]

"Are you sure you have a AVL engine?"

The cylinder head looks to be alumimum.

It's a 2007...just like this one (but a year newer)...http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photos/2008models/2008models-RoyalEnfield-Bullet500esDeluxe.htm

I'm feeling sort of stupid right now. But at least the oil is fresh!
here's a photo of my bike...

[ace.cafe]

Iron Bullet engine on the Left.
AVL  engine on the Right.
Look at them closely, especially at the cylinder head area.
Noticeable differences.

[Prairie Hunter]

Dude--I firmly believe that the bike in the pic is an iron-head, not an AVL.

[t120rbullet]

The cylinder head looks to be alumimum.
It's a 2007...just like this one (but a year newer)...http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photos/2008models/2008models-RoyalEnfield-Bullet500esDeluxe.htm
I'm feeling sort of stupid right now. But at least the oil is fresh!
here's a photo of my bike...

You don't have a AVL.
You use the felt wrapped filter not the paper one.
The cylinder head on all 3 models is aluminum.
Only the cylinder is iron on the old "iron" engine.
You don't have to feel stupid. With all these models nowadays I'm getting confused too.
Things were so simple back a few short years ago, 350 or 500.
 

[Bath Bullet]

Thats the Classic Iron Barrel model, nothing to feel stupid about, if you dont ask you wont know.
When I changed mine the replacement filter was tighter fitting then the o.e. version, so thats what you may be thinking.

[Sag Harbor~Bullet]

Thanks to all for the replies...and the education. I guess I should start posting more on this side of the forum.

When I read the generic spec.s for the Bullet Deluxe, they described the engine as aluminum. Either way I am much appreciative for the correction.

http://www.enfieldmotorcycles.com/models/deluxe.html

Unique Features

All of the features of the Classic including the new aluminum alloy Lean-Burn AVL engine, but further enhanced with:

    * Rubber knee grips
    * Combination chrome and painted tank
    * Chrome fenders, a chrome airbox and chrome rear brake lever