I asked earlier this week if you could change the filter without first draining the oil and not expecting to get a large amount of oil all over.

Before you ask, I did this because I had drained the oil before I realized I couldnt get the filter off and needed a wrench, but I had to drive.

Anyway, Did it this morning from the top, took maybe 5 minutes, and more of that was figuring out which way to run my hands around the engine. Id estimate less than 4 ozs of oil was spilled. So yes, you can easily and relativly cleanly change the filter without chaning the oil.

 

Cool. I might have been less hesitant about the 7,500 mile break in before the first oil change had I know I could have just replaced the filter at 3,500 miles w/out much effort.

 

Some recommend filling the new filter with oil before installing it. Think this makes any sense? Couldn't hurt.

 

I do this everytime I change the oil. I dont necessarily fill it, but I put a bit in there and use a little bit of oil around the seal - which gives it a better fit as a 'seal' rathern than rubber on metal.

 

I have never heard of filling the filter before putting it on, but I ALWAYS put a bead of oil on the gasket of the filter. This helps the seal and it also makes for easier removal...

 

It is always a good idea(recommended!) to oil the seal on a new filter prior to installation. It also helps you to get an extra quarter-turn on it when tightening it up.

 

I did just the opposite. I drained all the oil and removed the filter on the wife's car only to realise after installing the new filter. No fresh oil! Thank god I had the bike.