Dark Primary oil after rebuild and 35 miles

[Kd4xr]

Just finished rebuilding clutch, installed new compensator spring and cover, new primary chain tensioner foot, and new chrome inner primary with new mains haft bearing and race. Took it out for a test ride everything seemed ok except for an oil leak from the primary drain plug. Pulled the plug to install a new o-ring and noticed that the primary oil had already turned dark gray after only 35 miles. No metal shavings on the drain plug but I wonder if the dark gray oil is normal?

[lonslo]

No problem. New plates are soft , porous, and dry. It takes a while for them to glaze over and get harder and oil soaked. Just the "dust" coming off of them.

[BUBBIE]

Does or Did the oil smell BURNT... Stator problems turn oil Dark and Really Stinks like from the burnt wires...

signed....BUBBIE

[Kd4xr]

I have experience with oil burnt by the the stator. That's a smell you wont easily forget. I'm happy to say it is not electrical.

My first thought was the new clutch friction plates but since this was my first "Primary Rebuild", I wasn't sure. There are some things that you learn only by experience. It makes sense that there would be a certain amount of material coming off of the new friction plates and that material would end up in the oil.

I'll run it for 500 miles - that will be 4 days in my case - then change the primary oil.

[JayFL459]

Originally Posted by Kd4xr

I have experience with oil burnt by the the stator. That's a smell you wont easily forget. I'm happy to say it is not electrical.

My first thought was the new clutch friction plates but since this was my first "Primary Rebuild", I wasn't sure. There are some things that you learn only by experience. It makes sense that there would be a certain amount of material coming off of the new friction plates and that material would end up in the oil.

I'll run it for 500 miles - that will be 4 days in my case - then change the primary oil.

Sounds like a good plan ..

[MilesToGo]

Originally Posted by lonslo

No problem. New plates are soft , porous, and dry. It takes a while for them to glaze over and get harder and oil soaked. Just the "dust" coming off of them.

I agree. It doesn't take long for the primary oil to get dirty, especially with new clutch plates. Can't believe that Harley use to cycle this oil with the engine.