| Author | Message | ||
     Wvbuelling |
I noticed that when I changed my oil this past weekend it looked like small shiny brass colored pieces of metal were in the oil filter. I probably wouldn't have even noticed it if it were not for the angle of the sun when I poured the remaining oil out of the filter. The bike has about 4500 miles on it and I replaced the oil about 1000 miles ago right after I bought the bike this spring. I looked through the knowledge info and couldn't find any reference to this problem. Am I just paranoid or have any of you seen this problem before and if so just what could be causing this?? I have not abused this bike at all and to be honest I could have been mistaken about the metal pieces. If I had a microscope I would have been able to know for sure if something was there. By the way, the bike runs perfect and seems to have decent power. No abnormal sounds or anything to indicate there is a problem at all. Thanks for any info you can give me! | ||
| Iamike |
Brian, I've noticed that before with my oil. I am not sure if it still does it after this many miles, I'll look next time. | ||
| Ptown |
I don't think its something to really worry about, I have seems that over the years in may of my bike and never had any gearbox problems, Keeping the level right and a good oil, thats all the bike needs, but slight wear is possible. After I bought my bike in 2000 for the first 3 oil changes in the tranny I drained out pieces of alloy shavings, similar like those you get on a lathe, bike in 6 Years old and still going with no problems what so ever, no more metal filing in drained oil after that. | ||
| Patrickh |
i would pull the oil pump and take a look up into the drive gear for wear. if it shows signifigant wear you can replace it with an upgraded part. they have been known to fly apart, causing a real problem. (Message edited by patrickh on October 10, 2006) | ||
| Oldog |
WV: engine oil? check the oil pump DRIVING gear, and consider as suggested do the bronze drive gear, the only other bronze in the engine is the "oillite" bushings that the cams run in. If the engine is running good and the stuff is glitter like ok, if you got chunks outa the engine- look further. search the KV on oil pump issues, I have heard of one instance of bushings spinning in the case, [ gotta be oiling failure ] the inspection can be done by removing the "front" hose from the pump and removing 2 screws, the pump comes out as a unit, look in the hole at the driving gear. with the plugs out Jog the motor and look at the gear in several places. This is the pump gear data from as far back as I can find it I would take the time to read through http://www.badweatherbikers.com/cgibin/discus/show.cgi?tpc=3842&post=118408#POST118408 (Message edited by oldog on October 10, 2006) Btw the gear case is not rocket science, I did the gear change last year and am prepping for the annual IRAN.... (Message edited by oldog on October 10, 2006) | ||
| Wvbuelling |
Yes, I am talking about the engine oil. The stuff looked like glitter in the oil so it was all very, very small. I have maintained a proper oil level and have used the Harley synthetic oil since I bought the bike (about 1000 miles ago). Are there any gaskets or other parts needed when removing the oil pump to do this inspection? My bike is running so good that when I changed oil and saw these shiny pieces in it, I about fell over. I have not had any experience with the Harley/Buell bikes before so I need and appreciate your advise. | ||
| Reepicheep |
On my tuber, it took some teflon tape, and an oil pump gasket, and a few zip ties. Very easy check. Rather then crawl under the bike, I used my digital camera in macro mode (which had a rotating body so I could see what I was shooting). blip the starter a few times and recheck a few times (do NOT start the engine), the wear can be really assymetrical. The XB's seem *FAR* better, but there have been a few issues. I don't think any are at risk in under 7k miles, 15k miles seemed about the earliest it could have been a problem on the tubers, and 25k more likely to be where there was a real problem. | ||
| Iamike |
I've hit 60k now, so I'm not going to worry about that. It's just the hole in my new rear that has me in the unhappy mode. | ||
| Oldog |
WV: like Reepi said an oil pump gasket, and some T-tape and zip ties, I used a mirror Do not start the engine but jog it and examine the gear one or the other side of the teeth will be worn, at 4,500 miles it should not be worn badly. change the oil at a short interval mebe 100 miles use dino and change it again after a couple of hundred miles more to flush the mill, If after 1 or 2 short changes then a normal change you still see glitter time for a look, the gear case and rocker boxes are my first picks, as you have lots of little parts in these places the rocker arms have bushings in them too. these MAY make golden glitter, this could be settling of debris in the oil tank,( say from break in ) that is why I suggested 2 short "dino" oil changes. to flush the trash out in the "new" oil, change the filters too. keep up posted, unless the engine is in some way deteriorating I would look at the gear and check for glitter, then short change it 2x then a regular interval Like you I would hope that it is nothing... | ||
| Mmmi_grad |
go to http://www.blackstone-labs.com/ have them send you a oil sample kit , its free. Send them the oil and they will check it out. I have had them check my cars oil and they were great. I have recentley started to have them monitor the Buell. You get a report emailed to you and a hard copy mailed to you. I didnt even want a hard copy  Worth the 20 bucks believe me! |
