damn oil filter

I just purchased a 90' 600R Ninja. Someone before replaced the stock 4-2 exhaust with a Vance & Hines 4-1 header. Who ever designed the thing was an idiot and the collector is right under the oil filter. I had to take the pipe off and pry (ouch) the header down to get the filter out. I don't want to do this every oil change, I think it will crack the head.

I am thinking about sanding the filter cover on one side a little bit, just enough to clear the pipes. That is the only thing I can think of besides taking the whole thing apart (NOT). Any body else have this problem or better ideas?