What's the best thing to use for removing the oil filter. I started with a strap wrench,no joy. Had a spin off type couldn't get enough room for the ratchet. Goes against my nature but i used a screw driver through it in the end.
There is enough room for the right tool. What d'ya recommend?

Don't put it on so tight next time :)

If a couple of hands and a strap is not moving it then perhaps even a screwdriver and a hammer might just rip it up.

First time i have gone near it. Someone did put it on fairly tight though.

There are straps you can buy at Supercheap or the like which latch on and when turned lock around the filter and can be used to remove.

I used to use the screwdriver and hammer method, but it was always in the back of mind that if it didn't come off after I'd stabbed a hole through it then the bike could not be ridden.

Now I put a big jubilee clip around it and tighten it up with the screw part at the right angle so you can strike it with something, at least it doesn't damage the filter. This method has always worked for me.

You can get band type removers that screw tight around the filter rather than rely on being twisted to do it. I did use a chain type last time and it was awkward, but the time before I pierced it with a screwdriver. It's a last resort thing really, as I found the body ripped, which is obviously not good when you unscrew it by hand!

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_255216

I've always used a ratchet tool similar to this:

gavins wrote:I've always used a ratchet tool similar to this:

And you don't have any issue with clearance for the ratchet?

I thought about using an extension when I used the chain wrench, but then the rad would be in the way. As we all know, what with the headers and the rad, there's bugger all room to get anything at the thing in a sensible manner!

http://www.davidsilverspares.co.uk/VFR4 ... art_22854/
Works wonders, i use them for my bikes