Okay, I have been in-touch with S&S this morning.
I don't have much info as I can't find any specs about this filter from S&S except its listed as a 30 micron filter and the rep I talked with thinks its made by WIX and it fits my 1997 Harley Heritage softail 1340 engine. This filter has worked well for me the last 10 years but I'm not going to install a filter that looks like that and has a burr.
I did buy this filter 3rd party and the rep had a concern of the date code of 2023. I sent these pics and was suggested I return it to the 3rd party and perhaps buy a replacement direct from S&S, IF I can verify a direct WIX replacement I would rater but WIX.
I may be way off with my detective skills but I think I somewhat may understand the Harley oil filter sage.
This older bike oil system is believed to need a less restrictive oil filter, the new bikes needs better filtering anti drain back valves etc I do know my new 2023 Harley Street Glide uses the new 5 micron rated filter from Harley but to complicate matters the WIX website suggest WIX does NOT make a filter for my new 2023? Why but I don't trust the website as its suggesting a 5 micron rated filter for my old 1997 Harley Heritage!
Best I can tell the Harley brand filters went to a synthetic media a few years back and the Lady at Wix suggested WIX followed. So I call WIX today and do some digging. I have always heard on the forums and such my older evo needs a 30 micron ( less restrictive filter ) I can't add anything about efficiency? I have no idea???
I noticed the new Wix ( as suggested when I put my bike info in ) is now a Wix 5 micron rated filter. ( I use black not chrome so all part numbers are for black) The new part number Wix for my bike is Wix # 57148 (5) micron rated. The lady a Wix suggested this filter changed when the Harley brand filter changed to Synthetic filter media and then enters the 5 micron rating and has a anti drain back valve.
The wix lady also suggested a older filter number Wix 51348 a 21 micron rated filter with also with a anti drain back valve but then my Harley fourms suggest the proper Wix filter for my 1997 is a Wix part # 51215 thats rated at 21 Micron with NO anti drain back valve and has a Cellulose filter media! so now in totally confused!
My guess after inspecting the pics THIS Wix 51215 MAY be the same filter as my S&S filter in question as my S&S does NOT have a anti drain back valve, not 100% but don't think any of my older oil filters over the last 28 years had a anti drain back valve? and the Harley Forums I read suggest with my old school low pressure oiling system I do not need a drain back valve.
Wix limites the filter spec info as well as Harley but the filters sizes are all the same from the (3) wix and my S&S.
Going with an educated guess I wonder if that Wix part # 51215 ( 21 micron filter is the same as my S&S part number 31-4101 30 micron rated filter )?
If so, I can find that Wix #51215 in plenty at my local corner auto parts store and the NAPA version as well!
I'm trying to wrap my head around the micron ratings, efficiency etc, my take is it must be like car stereo wattage was rated in the 80's?
A 100 Watt stereo could be the same as a 1,000 Watt stereo all dependent on how one rates it.
My thinking is if my bike don't need a anti drain back I don't need a anti drain back.
As y'all can tell I'm more confused than ever of what the best filter option is moving forward .
I question did Harley suggest its okay using the newer filter on the old bikes so Harley don't need to continue producing old style filters? Harley is not well know for supporting older bikes.
Everything I read on the forums is my 97 needs a free flowing filter, my question is would that WIX 51215 be my best option moving forward?
I may also research K&N offerings as i'm tired of mail order and would like a proper, free flowing oil filter i can buy at the auto parts store down the street!
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