I know a few people on here have had or have CB500's, so thought I would ask...

I have got stalled with servicing my bike - I can't remove the old oil filter. Its a HiFlo HF303 filter that seems pretty much stuck on there. I've tried removing it by hand, or by using a boa-constrictor (Rubber strap wrench) but can't shift it.

I've done a search for the type of filter, and have found a proper oil filter wrench for it. However, the info on wemoto states that it might not be suitable for Honda V-Twins due to space issues. So I wondered if anyone had used one successfully or not?

If not, are there any suggestions on what else might work? There are quite a few different types of oil filter wrenches out there...

I don't really want to hammer a screwdriver into the old filter and use that to wrench it out if poss, as I don't really have any old screwdrivers knocking about that I could use. Also, the replacement that I have got is another HF303, so I don't mind buying the proper tool for it.

Thanks in advance,
Stax.

Never had a CB500, but be careful if you end up using filter pliers. I've had a filter start to twist without budging in the past, and it became a real chore to remove. The trick seemed to be to grab the filter as close to the base as possible.

Don't know my Hondas very well but is the CB500 a V Twin?

Sounds like someone's over-tightened it in the past. Can you pop the old oil back in and get the engine nice and warm first, might break the stiction on the 'O' ring - mind yer maulers though.

My Suzuki manual shows using a proper filter socket but says tighten the filter hand tight then give it two full turns I do mine hand tight and a quarter turn (with a socket) and never had a leak yet.

Hand tight and two full turns sounds way to much to me as well, I only did mine well hand tight and never had a problem. You may find if the existing filter was severly overtightened the screw driver method may have to be resorted to but if the new filter is fitted with the "O" ring and thread oiled first you wont have such a struggle next time.

Two turns is what's specced for my Gee Essex too

'Hand tight and two turns' is very subjective - it all depends on what you percieve as 'hand tight'. To me, that's when I can't get it any tighter without grabbing with both hands and really going at it, in which case it only needs 'nipping up'. To some people it's as soon as it stops turning very easily in which case it would need a bit more but two full turns still sounds excessive - maybe it's one of those things they say in order to cover themselves, ie so if the oil leaks out the filter they're not responsible!