Harley Davidson Oil Filter Cross Reference

Don’t forget the crush washer!

A crush washer is used to seal the sump plug and to prevent engine oil leaking out. It is made from a soft alloy (usually copper) and will ‘crush’ when you tighten it up, creating a better seal than the sump plug will on its own.

They cost pennies so it doesn’t make sense to try and reuse your old one or not use one at all.

However, even if you do buy a new one, it’s easy to forget to use it. When I remove the sump plug, I throw the old crush washer away immediately, fit the new crush washer and then use some making tape to hold it in place. The tape also slows me down when I come to refit the sump plug and makes me double-check everything.

You can buy a box of crush washers here or from this link.

OEM Vs Aftermarket oil filters

You might be wondering whether you should use a factory oil filter or an aftermarket one. 

These days, most manufacturers source their oil filters from the same companies that produce the aftermarket ones.

In some cases, the manufacturer might specify slightly different materials (perhaps a thicker casing) but if you buy a filter from a reputable brand (like K&N, HifloFiltro, Bosch, FRAM, Purolator) you’ll be in safe hands. 

Cheap oil filters tend to skimp on areas that are hard to spot but can make a difference. They can have a thinner casing, which can rip when you go to remove it and the sealing washer can be of poor quality, causing the filter to leak. Quality aftermarket oil filters are absolutely fine but penny-pinching on a cheap oil filter is asking for trouble.

Your First Motorcycle Oil Change

If you’ve not changed your motorcycle’s oil before, it can be daunting. However, with the right tools and a good idea of what you’re doing, anyone can change their motorcycle’s oil. It will save you money and you’ll know it’s been done properly.

Need some pointers? We’ve put together this motorcycle oil change guide to run you through the process.