Just did an oil change on my bike and I found some metal shavings in the oil. Also, the oil is really black. What could be happening?

I was using a 3year old oil filter with fresh oil before the change which was about 30 miles ago. The reason why I had to use the old filter was because the bolt on the filter cover was stuck. Thanks to htech, that matter was resolved a few days ago. So right now, I have a new filter and new oil.

 

As bike gearboxes share the oil with the engine they can generate fines. It is very important to change the oil due to their high revving nature. I suggest that you flush the engine and then have a look under the rocker cover to see how bad it is. Change again in 500 miles to flush any remaining residue out.

 

If oil weren't in itself so critical then more people would be stressing the filtration. Whether $5 a quart or $.50 oil will do its job and cool, lubricate, clean and pickup debris. A clogged filter does nothing but send all the crap that the oil picked up right back out the bypass valve. I'm kinda weird in that I run synthetic and run it longer. I add additives and change filter elements religiously and frankly the oil doesn't show signifigant thermal breakdown. Luke's got it right. I would personally also check some internals depending on the condition of the stuff that came out. Are the shavings visible individually or just as metal in the oil. That also helps you determine what is wearing and if its abnormal or reasonable.

EDIT: Also bikes w/ wet clutches share engine oil. It may just be wear from your clutch material


[Modified by tonydatyga, 10:43 PM 10/5/2002]