Oil Filter

[Stime187]

I know this is probably a stupid question, but what type of oil filter do you guys use? And where do you get it? I went to a Suzuki dealer (that didnt have the part in stock) and then went to Wal-Mart. At WM, i looked through their FRAM catalog and found that almost every Suzuki used a "PH6018" or something like that, but the 500 wasn't listed... so that's what brings me to the question.

Also, since I'm on the subject of dumb questions... I just bought my bike yesterday, and I'm fairly sure there must be a second key for the gas tank... is this true? It's either that or something is wrong with mine's lock...

Thanks for any info, I'm new to the motorcycling world so be prepared...:lol:

Scott

[heent]

Welcome to cycling.

Search the forum for "oil filter" and you'll find discussion of what to use and what not to ad nauseum.  I learned the hard way that there are many miss-boxed FRAM filters out there in the GS500's "size"...can't remember the model number C6000 or something.

Many folks told me the FRAMs are crap though and they wouldn't trust them.  I got OEM from a dealer to be safe.

[Rema1000]

Filters:
Hi-Flo HF133 ($4, comes with 2 o-rings)
Suzuki 485537-001 ($5) plus o-ring 485563-001 ($3)
STP SMO-00 ($?)
Fram CH6000 ($6, 1 gasket)

I've heard that the STP and Fram may be the same filters? Prices seem to be about the same: I bought a Hi-Flo 133 on-line for $4, then bought another at my m/c shop for $3.99.  They all seem the same to me, but some people here dis' the STP/Fram ones.  The Hi-Flo ones are cheaper anyways, so I just get those.

[Kerry]

I've heard that the STP and Fram may be the same filters?

Yep!  I picked up an STP filter recently at AutoZone, actually two.  I opened the boxes just to see what I could see.  One of the filters had "CH6000" (the FRAM part number) stamped on it, and the other one had a similar but different number.

I remembered gsJack's experiences with too-small holes in some of these filters, so I only bought the one stamped "CH6000".  It's in Richard's bike now, and doing OK as far as I know....

[Kerry]

I visited most of the auto parts stores in town today in search of an oil filter for my GS500E.  But this time ... I had my camera!

Between 2 Checker stores, Pep Boys and Auto Zone, nobody even had a spot on the shelf anymore for the Fram CH6000.     I was able to uncover an additional cross-reference though: the matching Purolator number is ML16800.  (Not that anyone stocked THAT filter, either.)

So I checked out the STP SMO-00 filters at AutoZone again, and sure enough they were mislabeled.

Here's what I found on the shelf:




Here's a close-up of the filter itself.  Notice the part number:




Here is the catalog that I looked in ...




... to find the cross-referenced Fram number:



Aha!  BUSTED!  And all 3 boxes had the same problem.   :x

I should have pointed this out to a clerk, but I didn't - maybe tomorrow on the way to work.  I continued down the street to the 2nd Checker and ended up ordering 4 Fram CH6000 filters.  (Two for me and two for Richard, who is too busy to do such things himself.   )

Bottom Line:  Buyer Beware!  You want a CH6000, not a CH6001.  (Assuming that you're OK with a Fram/STP/whatever filter in the first place....)

[EvilScooby]

I got mine here for only $2 bux

https://www.partsnmoreonline.com/PNMSite/GS%2015-0005%20Oil%20Filter.htm

[Kerry]

Yeah, I've been eyeing those $2 filters.  (I'll bet Fram makes those too!)  When I decide to buy a pair of carb rebuild kits and can make the $30 minimum order (isn't that the figure?) I'll jump on it.

The Fram filters I ordered were something like $3.36, so no big hit.  Plus, my pair will only take me 6,000 miles.  I hope to need many more filters than that before Ole Yeller gives up the ghost!  

[BRB96Z34]

I know your pain Kerry.  I too was on the hunt for the elusive CH6000 today.  Went to three or four different parts stores but no luck.  Finally went to one of the chains other stores and found oil filters for bikes but no CH6000 until I started digging - finally found one behind a couple of other filters.  Changed my oil and filter, now all's good.

[MarkusN]

IAlso, since I'm on the subject of dumb questions... I just bought my bike yesterday, and I'm fairly sure there must be a second key for the gas tank... is this true? It's either that or something is wrong with mine's lock...

The ignition key works in three locations:
Ignition switch
Tank cap
Seat lock (on the left side of the frame behind the passengers footrests.)

If your key does not work on the tank, somebody messed witht the locks there. Probably replaced the tank without switching locks. Get back to them and have them hand out the original tank cap. (Tank was probably dented /rusted thorugh, which should not affect the cap.)