How to clean the oil filter on the Honda CB360 / CL360 / CJ360

October 01, 2021 21:00
Updated

The Honda CB360 / CL360 / CJ360 family of motorcycles are similar to most of the Honda motorcycles of this era in the fact that, unlike modern motorcycles that use a paper filter element for their oil filter, it uses a centrifugal filter cup. The way this works is by pumping oil into the rotor while it is spinning at a high speed. This causes any dirt and debris to be flung from the oil and pressed against the inside of the rotor cup while the remaining, now clean oil, gets pumped out. The built-up dirt, just like a standard paper oil filter, has a standard maintenance interval which entails removing the side cover, the rotor lid, and cleaning out the rotor cup. Every 3,000 m / 5,000 km (every other oil change) this should be done in addition to the very first oil change after purchasing your vintage Honda motorcycle. We also recommend pulling out the oil pump pickup screen to clean any debris off of it at the same time.