LAB-428-Throwaway Oil Filters vs. Reusable Serviceable Oil Filters for Harley-Davidson-Oil Filtration & Micron Talk

The episode is about oil filters for a motorcycle, specifically how different filter types affect warranty coverage and engine protection. Oil filters help trap contaminants so the engine oil stays cleaner as it circulates.

CVO is Harley-Davidson’s “Custom Vehicle Operations” line, which typically refers to higher-trim, more customized versions of its touring and other models. Warranty coverage questions like this usually hinge on whether an aftermarket part (like a specific oil filter brand) is approved or could be considered a cause of a failure.

Warranty coverage is the manufacturer’s promise to pay for repairs under specified conditions. Aftermarket parts—like an oil filter brand—can raise questions about whether the part is approved and whether it contributed to a failure.

Figurati is referenced as the brand of an aftermarket oil filter. In this context, the key point is whether using that specific filter affects warranty coverage on a Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

Axle nut covers are cosmetic or protective pieces that go over the front axle hardware. They’re often added to improve appearance and can help keep grime and corrosion off the exposed fasteners.

Seat bolts are the fasteners that secure the motorcycle’s seat to the frame or subframe. Aftermarket “seat bolt” accessories are often sold for appearance, convenience, or to replace hardware with something more durable or corrosion-resistant.

The speaker is referring to a Harley-Davidson Street Glide, specifically a 2024 model (“24”). The Street Glide is a touring cruiser known for its fairing and comfortable long-distance setup, so parts like axle nut covers are mostly about appearance and small styling touches.

The HJC ARFA 91 is a motorcycle helmet model the host discusses as a value alternative. They compare it to the Shoei Neotech 3, focusing on price and overall suitability for riders who want similar features without paying premium pricing.

The Shoei Neotech 3 is a premium motorcycle helmet model used as the benchmark in the comparison. The host frames the HJC ARFA 91 as a cheaper alternative to the Neotech 3, implying similar category/feature expectations within the modular or premium helmet segment.

Zero 3D is mentioned as a company making innovative products for Harley-Davidson motorcycles. The host also says it has a new line for the Honda Goldwing, indicating the brand’s focus on fitment-specific accessories like lighting and comfort items.

Zero Goldstrike is described as a motorcycle LED lighting company. The hosts position it as an innovator focused on lighting solutions that are meant to be easy to fit on bikes.

“Plug and play” means the product is designed to connect to the motorcycle’s existing wiring or mounting points with minimal modification. In practice, it usually implies fewer splices, adapters, or custom fabrication for installation.

Hog Works is presented as a motorcycle parts manufacturer whose products the hosts trust for fit, quality, finish, and customer service. The discussion frames it as a brand they run on their Harleys.

“Harleys” refers to motorcycles from Harley-Davidson. The hosts say they run Hog Works gear on their Harleys, using their own bikes as a real-world test of fit and reliability.

Lubrication is the process of supplying oil to moving engine parts to reduce friction and carry away heat and contaminants. In a motorcycle context, lubrication quality and filtration work together to protect bearings, cam components, and other wear surfaces.

The hosts specifically frame the oil-filter discussion around Harley-Davidson motorcycles, which commonly use cartridge-style or spin-on oil filtration depending on model and year. Filter choice matters because oil cleanliness affects wear in engines and can influence how often you need service.

“Micron talk” refers to filter efficiency measured in microns—how small particles the filter can capture. Lower micron ratings generally mean the filter can trap smaller debris, but real-world performance also depends on flow rate, media type, and bypass behavior.

Synthetic oil is a man-made engine oil designed to resist breakdown better than conventional oils. It typically helps with high-temperature stability and can improve protection during cold starts.

Harley-Davidson’s Touring line is the brand’s long-distance touring platform, typically with a larger fuel tank and more luggage capacity. Removing the fuel tank is a common step for many maintenance and accessory installs on these bikes.

A strapless transport system uses a mechanical locking or base-and-tower setup to secure the motorcycle instead of traditional tie-down straps. This can speed up loading/unloading and reduce the chance of strap slippage.

RISK racing (as mentioned in the segment) appears to be a brand that makes motorcycle transport systems. In this episode, it’s being promoted as a strapless method for securing bikes in a trailer or truck.

Oil filtration is the process of removing contaminants from engine oil to reduce wear and help maintain oil cleanliness. The episode’s core theme is how reusable and disposable filters compare in capturing particles (micron discussion) and managing debris over time.

OEM filters are oil filters made by the original equipment manufacturer (or made to OEM specifications). The host contrasts OEM disposable filters with the reusable magnetic filter, implying differences in filtration performance and service approach.

Wire mesh filters use a mesh element to physically trap debris in the fluid. They’re often discussed as reusable filtration media, and the podcast contrasts them with other filter styles used in different applications (industrial vs. sports).

Harley-Davidson is referenced as the motorcycle brand whose oil filtration practices and filter types are being discussed. The hosts contrast disposable “throwaway” filters with serviceable/reusable designs in the context of Harley-Davidson ownership.

The hosts describe a “magnetic reusable” filtration approach, implying the filter uses magnets to help capture ferrous particles in the oil. This is positioned as a key differentiator versus other reusable designs and is tied to the hosts’ enthusiasm after reading technical “white papers.”

“Nominal” and “absolute” are different ways to describe filtration performance. Nominal ratings are typically based on an efficiency threshold (like capturing a certain percentage), while absolute ratings are meant to indicate the largest particle size that will be captured under specified test conditions.

Synthetic media refers to the filter’s internal material (the “media”) made from synthetic fibers or blends rather than paper. Synthetic media can offer more consistent pore structure and often improved particle capture compared with traditional paper media, depending on the design.

Paper media is the traditional filter material used in many oil filters. It’s widely used because it’s cheap and easy to mass-produce, but its filtration performance depends heavily on the media’s thickness, pore structure, and the filter’s overall design.

Throwaway oil filters are disposable filters that you replace when they clog or reach their service interval. The discussion contrasts them with serviceable filters, focusing on magnet placement and how well they capture particles.

Placing magnets inside the filter medium (or as an integrated part of the filter) can increase the chance that contaminated oil passes near the magnet surfaces. The hosts claim this is a “big advantage” because it improves particle capture and allows the filter to be cleaned.

The hosts reference a Canadian company whose design immerses magnets in the oil stream, claiming it can physically strip particles as oil passes over and around the magnet. This is presented as an “extreme” approach compared with magnets located outside the filter.

“Absolute” and “nominal” are different ways manufacturers describe filtration performance. Absolute ratings typically mean the filter captures a specified percentage of particles at or below that micron size under defined test conditions, while nominal ratings are looser and may refer to average performance. This matters because two filters with the same micron number can behave differently in real use.

Flow rate is how quickly oil can pass through the filter media. The episode claims reusable filters can offer a higher flow rate, which can help maintain lubrication during cold starts or high-demand conditions. However, filtration effectiveness and flow can trade off depending on media design and how loaded the filter is.

Cooling fins on an oil filter increase surface area to help dissipate heat from the oil. The episode contrasts filters with external fins against “stock OEM” filters, and suggests the finned design can improve thermal management. Better cooling can help oil maintain viscosity and protect engine components.

A micron rating describes how small of particles a filter can capture from oil. The hosts emphasize that the rating can be reported as “absolute” or “nominal,” which changes what the number actually guarantees about filtration.

PC racing flow is referenced as a filter brand/publisher that reports a 10-micron rating using the “nominal” measurement method. The episode contrasts that with “absolute” ratings to show why two filters can both claim similar numbers but filter differently.

The hosts mention OEM filters claiming “35 micron absolute,” but they also say the exact numbers are unclear and may vary by claim. This sets up the comparison between OEM throwaway filters and the reusable filters being evaluated.

Silicates (often discussed as silica/silicate in oil analysis) are non-metallic contaminants commonly introduced from dirt that gets into the engine, typically via the air intake. Because they’re tied to what the air filter allows through, silica levels can be a clue about air leaks or poor filtration rather than internal metal wear.

Ferrous material refers to iron-containing wear particles produced by metal-to-metal contact inside the engine. In oil analysis, rising iron levels typically indicate increased internal wear (for example, from bearings, cylinder components, or other iron-based parts).

Blackstone Laboratories is a well-known oil analysis company that tests used engine oil and reports wear metals and contaminants. In this discussion, it’s referenced as an example of a lab that can track things like silica (dirt ingress) and iron (internal wear).

Silica and iron are common wear/contamination indicators in used-oil analysis. If silica and iron levels stay stable across oil changes, it suggests the engine is running well and the oil/filtration strategy is controlling contaminants.

“Absolute” micron ratings are intended to indicate the filter’s capture performance at a specific particle size under test conditions. When a filter claims “20 micron absolute,” it’s marketing that it captures particles around that size very effectively, compared with broader “nominal” ratings.

Amsoil is an aftermarket oil and filtration brand that markets specific oil filter performance claims, such as micron “absolute” ratings. In this segment, they’re used as the example for a 20-micron absolute disposable filter.

MAHLE is a major manufacturer of oil filters and other engine components for many automakers and aftermarket brands. The hosts mention it to support the idea that only a few large filter makers supply many different labels.

Bearings are precision components that rely on clean lubrication to prevent accelerated wear. The segment links oil filtration quality to protecting bearings from abrasive particles.

A nominal filtration rating is a less strict claim: it indicates the filter is intended to capture particles around a stated size, but it doesn’t guarantee how often that happens. That’s why the discussion contrasts nominal (frequency/efficiency can vary) with absolute (near-total capture under test).

An absolute filtration rating is a lab-tested claim that the filter will stop (capture) nearly all particles at a specified size and larger. In other words, it’s a “worst-case” style guarantee under standardized test conditions, not a marketing estimate.

“Absolute efficiency” refers to how effectively a filter captures particles across a range of sizes, not just a single marketing number. The hosts connect it to real-world outcomes: if you filter too tightly, the filter can clog and trigger bypass, which reduces actual filtration. This is why they emphasize understanding test methods and conditions rather than relying on the label alone.

A filter “bypass” happens when the filter element becomes too restrictive (often from clogging) and oil is routed around the filter to keep the engine supplied. The tradeoff is that bypass oil isn’t being filtered, so more particles reach the engine. The segment explains that an overly aggressive “absolute” micron target could lead to bypass sooner, defeating the purpose.

Wear metals are elements found in used oil that come from engine components as they wear. Rising wear metals over time can indicate abnormal wear or contamination, while stable wear metals suggest the engine is not deteriorating rapidly under current maintenance conditions.

The hosts reference a 2018 GMC Yukon as an example where oil analysis showed the total base number dropping around 9,500 miles. That’s used to illustrate a scenario where the oil is aging and becoming more acidic even if wear metals behave differently.

When oil becomes acidic, it can accelerate corrosion and wear by attacking metal surfaces and degrading protective additives. The segment contrasts stable wear metals with a case where the “total base number” starts to fall, which they interpret as oil losing its ability to neutralize acids.

Microns (µm) are a measure of particle size. In oil filtration talk, a lower micron rating generally means the filter can trap smaller particles, but it can also increase restriction and clogging rate depending on the filter design.

Industrial equipment often uses filtration strategies designed for extreme contamination and long service intervals, sometimes with very fine capture targets. The speaker contrasts that with vehicle use, arguing that what makes sense for mining dump trucks and industrial systems may be unnecessary or impractical for motorcycles/cars due to cost, complexity, and diminishing returns.

Nominal vs absolute refers to how a filter’s micron rating is defined. Nominal ratings are typically based on capturing a percentage of particles, while absolute ratings aim for a more complete capture at the stated micron size—so the same number can mean different real-world performance.

Micron ratings describe how small particles a filter can capture, but the meaning depends on how the rating was measured. Without knowing the test method and whether the rating is nominal or absolute, two filters with the same micron number can perform very differently.

This is a specific filter claim: a stainless steel mesh filter rated at 25 microns with an “absolute” rating. The speaker emphasizes that the rating is for the filter media itself and that other elements (like magnets) are separate from the particle-capture rating.

A “micron” is a measure of particle size, and an “absolute” rating means the filter is designed to capture particles at or above that size under specified test conditions. A 25-micron stainless mesh screen is a coarse filtration stage that helps remove larger contaminants before oil moves on to finer filtration or bypass logic.

The speaker references “Audi” as a source for micron-related filtration expectations, implying a test or engineering claim about how filtration performance translates into micron ratings. In context, it’s used to estimate that adding mesh and magnets could correspond to roughly a 10-micron absolute outcome.

A 10-micron absolute rating indicates a much finer filtration target than 25 microns, meaning smaller particles are intended to be captured. In the discussion, the bypass is described as kicking in if the 10-micron stage plugs, so oil can still circulate even when the filter is heavily loaded.

The bypass opening threshold is described as “15 psi,” meaning when oil pressure reaches that level (due to restriction), the bypass mechanism is triggered. This is a design safeguard to prevent oil starvation.

“OEM paper filter” refers to the original equipment manufacturer’s disposable paper-based oil filter element. These are typically replaced rather than opened and inspected, so you don’t get direct visibility into what the filter captured.

The hosts frame filter debris and magnetic particle capture as an “early warning sign” that can help you catch internal problems before they escalate into catastrophic engine failure. The underlying principle is trend monitoring: more metal/debris than normal can indicate abnormal wear or damage.

Fine metal shavings early on can come from normal break-in or initial wear, but large chunks and shards suggest a mechanical problem. The hosts describe using dipstick/filter inspection after the first few thousand miles to decide whether the debris level is normal or not.

A magnet on the drain plug is used to capture ferrous (iron-containing) particles that settle in the oil. During an oil change, it helps you see whether there’s excessive “heavy stuff” (like larger metal debris) that could indicate abnormal wear.

“Mel’s mesh filtration” appears to be a specific filtration approach using mesh media to improve contaminant capture. The hosts connect it to better filtration, magnetic capture, and easier inspection/serviceability versus a stock OEM filter.

A billet housing is machined from a solid block of metal (billet) rather than cast or stamped. In this context, the host emphasizes it as both functional and visually appealing on the motorcycle.

“Figure outie” is discussed as an oil-filter brand that offers both aesthetic billet housings and functional filtration hardware. The hosts focus on its filter design details—especially a serviceable bypass system and a replaceable internal element—plus multiple finish/color options.

“35 absolute” is a stricter filtration rating than “nominal,” implying a higher confidence that particles at that size (or larger) are captured. Absolute ratings are often used to communicate more consistent minimum filtration performance.

“10 micron nominal” refers to the filter’s rated particle size capture level. Nominal ratings are typically an average/typical performance claim rather than a strict “X microns will always be blocked” guarantee, so real-world filtration can vary.

An oil change is the maintenance interval where used engine oil is drained and replaced. The hosts connect filter servicing to oil changes, noting that riders may replace the internal filter element during routine service.

This refers to a reusable stainless mesh screen used as the filter media. Instead of discarding the whole filter, the screen can be removed, cleaned, and reinstalled to restore flow and filtration.

O-rings are rubber seals that prevent oil leaks where the filter housing mates to other parts. Replacing or inspecting them matters because a damaged or “chewed up” seal can cause seepage or loss of proper sealing.

Using magnets in an oil filter helps capture ferrous (iron-containing) particles that would otherwise circulate in the engine oil. This is “supplemental” to the mesh media, which handles non-magnetic debris.

Oil analysis is when you take a small oil sample and send it to a lab to measure wear metals, contamination, and oil condition. It’s a practical way to verify whether your filtration and maintenance are actually protecting the engine.

The speaker explains that large used-oil analysis databases improve how accurately a lab can interpret your results. With more historical samples, the lab can better judge whether your wear metals and oil condition are typical for your bike and oil interval.

The Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act is a U.S. law that limits how automakers can restrict warranty coverage. If a manufacturer conditions warranty coverage on using specific branded parts or services, they generally must cover the cost and can’t automatically deny warranty claims just because you used aftermarket components.

AutoZone is mentioned as a retail source where you might buy an aftermarket oil filter. In the context of the episode, it’s used to illustrate that owners can purchase non-OEM filters without automatically losing warranty rights.

FRAM is referenced as an example of an aftermarket oil filter brand. The hosts use it to support their point that you can buy third-party filters rather than being forced into OEM-only parts.

“Burden is on them to prove” means the dealership/manufacturer must show a causal link between the aftermarket part and the specific failure. They can’t simply blame the part without evidence that it directly caused the problem.

The hosts describe a causation standard: to deny warranty coverage, the dealer must identify a specific failure and show the aftermarket part caused it. They argue that it’s “almost impossible” to prove for typical oil-filter and oil-change scenarios, while extreme misuse examples are more provable.

An aftermarket air filter is a non-OEM filter used to control airflow into the engine. The hosts mention that using an aftermarket air filter with no proper medium could contribute to engine problems, illustrating the kind of evidence a dealer might use to claim a part caused a failure.

Flow testing measures how much oil passes through a filter under controlled conditions, which can help determine whether a filter was functioning as intended. In disputes, it’s sometimes used to evaluate whether a filter could have caused abnormal flow or bypass behavior.

The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act is a U.S. federal law that limits how manufacturers can deny warranty coverage. In practice, it often requires the manufacturer to show a specific aftermarket part caused the problem—not just that an aftermarket part was installed.

BMW is referenced here as an example of a manufacturer that has lost warranty disputes tied to the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. The point is that warranty denial can fail when the manufacturer can’t prove the aftermarket part caused the damage.

The FTC (Federal Trade Commission) is cited as a source for warranty-related guidance and legal context. The speaker uses it to support the claim that warranty denials must meet specific standards when aftermarket parts are involved.

An oil “spec” is a published performance standard that an engine oil must meet (often tied to viscosity and testing requirements). The hosts emphasize that if an oil or filter doesn’t list the relevant spec, it may be harder to defend under warranty law. They’re arguing that meeting a minimum spec is the key to staying “covered.”

“Quickie lube” refers to fast oil-change service shops, which often use aftermarket oil filters rather than OEM-branded parts. The hosts use this as an analogy to argue that using non-OEM filters doesn’t automatically harm warranty coverage. It’s a practical ownership point: many routine services already involve non-OEM components.

The segment claims that using non-standard filters (like those from quick-lube places) could “f*** your warranty,” then reframes it as not being scary and part of legitimate industry practice. This highlights a common ownership concern: how warranty coverage can be affected by using different parts or maintenance practices.

“Magneson” appears to refer to a magnet tool used to remove internal components (like the spring/ball) from the filter housing. The key idea is that magnetic removal can simplify disassembly without damaging small parts.

A reusable oil filter is designed to be disassembled and cleaned so you can reuse the filter element instead of replacing it every service interval. In this segment, they’re discussing how to clean it effectively from the inside out so oil flow and filtration performance aren’t compromised.

They describe a shop-hack to create a 90-degree spray angle so cleaner/degreaser can reach inside the filter. The technique improves access without needing to physically contort the straw or can.

The Toyota Supra is a performance sports car known for its strong acceleration and driver-focused design. It often comes up in car discussions because it has a big enthusiast following and a reputation for being a popular platform for modifications. In a podcast context, it may be mentioned as an example of a car people like to tinker with and improve for specific performance goals.

“Mesh” here refers to the filter media structure that traps particles as oil passes through. The hosts contrast mesh-based filtration (which can plug and trigger bypass) with magnet-assisted filtration that they claim doesn’t affect flow rate as much.

“Throwaway paper mesh filters” refers to conventional disposable oil filters that use paper media and are replaced rather than disassembled for cleaning. The hosts argue that while these can have a bypass, they don’t offer serviceable bypass hardware or magnet-assisted debris capture.