| Author | Message | ||
     Billy_bee |
Hi guys, I have had my Uly for several months now and got ambitious the other day. I was really focused on getting the bike to run correctly after replacing a cracked ECM that began throwing crazy codes. Had some trouble with the TBS reset, but all is well now. So, while I was focused on the bike, I decided to change the oils, engine and primary. Obviously, the process is very easy, but I got a little surprise on the primary dran plug...metal flakes. More like chips. I have changed a lot of fluids in my day, but I have never seen a drain plug covered with so much metal. The oil was FILTHY, too. I am guessing the PO did not pay close attention to the primary oil. But it may be that these things blow chunks of metal with every fluid change. So, what does your primary oil and drain plug look like? Bill | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
I own an 06 with 35K miles and never have seen much of anything on the drain plugs other than filings, certainly never any chips. Is your primary chain too snug? How many miles on that bike? I change the Primary oil about every 10,000 miles. More than that is probably overkill and wasteful. Hopefully the cheetforbrains PO hasn't caused any lasting harm to your ULY. Chips doesn't sound good but I wouldn't worry about it too much, so long as the amount was very small. No sense worrying, just ride and try to forget about it and keep it maintained per the service manual. The service manual shows a diagram for the primary oil level. It also specs out 32 oz of Formula+. Make it easy on yourself and just pour in 32 oz and forget trying to see the level because it is very hard to see down in that dark primary. 32 oz and you are good enough. (Message edited by electraglider_1997 on December 30, 2011) | ||
| Tootal |
How many miles on the bike? PO might have never changed the oil. Small bits of metal on the first change wouldn't scare me but after that it would. The primary oil is also your transmission oil so any burrs on the tranny gears might wear off. I would change it and see what it looks like in 2500 miles. Formula+ will work, or any high quality synthetic engine oil. Do not use any transmission lubes as they contain chemicals that will attack your stator and short it out. DAMHIK. | ||
| Mark_weiss |
At 48k miles, my primary drain plug normally has a dense layer of fine black fuzz. Sort of like a crewcut. Don't forget that the primary houses the clutch. While clutch debris won't stick to the drain plug, it will blacken the oil. | ||
| Billy_bee |
The bike has almost 34K on it now. I bought it with just over 29k. I doubt this is the first change, but I would guess it has been a while since the last change. I don't tend to worry too much about these things as I know there is little I can do to alter the past. But. I may run it for a few hundred miles and change the oil again...kinda like a fluid flush. But should I also look at the primary chain and check the adjustment? Is there a goo how-to write up on the chain adjustment? Thanks, guys, Bill | ||
| Motorbike |
Billy bee, I know how you feel. Take a look at what I found in mine. No issues at all, just a mysterious chip from the third primary oil change. I would bet a small fortune that if I tore it down to the last bolt, I would not find where this came from. I'm thinking it was just a stray chip from machining operations at the factory. http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/142 838/656494.html (Message edited by motorbike on December 30, 2011) | ||
| Uly_man |
Err, you asked this question in October at which point you changed the primary oil. See the picture that you posted below.  You were also given the best and most concise answer possible. Trust me Dude by 34k it would have blown up by now. (Message edited by uly_man on December 30, 2011) | ||
| Motorbike |
Uly man, I am not following you at all on this. I posted this link to a previous thread that I started in October so Billy bee could see what I found on my primary plug, just for reference. My XT has only 9300 very well maintained miles on it. That is a pic of my primary drain plug, not Billy bee's. Thanks. PS I hope you all have a very Happy New Year! | ||
| Billy_bee |
Motorbike: My "chip" looked almost identical to that. Strange. I thought about keeping it but it went into the trash with the towel I used to clean all the debris from the magnet. So, I'll stop fussing about this and start to worry about something else... Thanks, guys, Bill | ||
| Uly_man |
At 34k it should be fine. I think the last owner did not change the oil enough. As far as I can see, but just MO its the ECM system that seems to cause the biggest problems. Just enjoy the bike. |
