metal flakes in primary oil

[stonep]

In doing my first ever primary oil change at 22,000 miles, I found a small amount of fine metal flakes on my primary drain plug (FXSTB 02 model). Dealer did an oil change (or so he says, anyway) about 1000 miles back. The SYN3 Oil came out a bit cloudy grey with metallic swirl. Didn't look right to me for oil only 1000 miles old in a well run in motor. Either the stealer hasn't been changing my oil or there's some metal grinding away somewhere . Dealer man tells me that he 'tightened my primary chain a bit' last service - could this be it? Where the hell can metal flakes come from in a primary?? Grateful for any advice.

[Heavy Magic]

22 thousand miles is a bit long before changing oil in your primary
as the oil breaks down over time your primary will run hotter due to the added friction of burnt out oil.
when your chain gets loose it will naturally wear on the Sprockets
and I'll be that is where it is coming from.
If it is not a lot of filings merely a bit covering the magnet that would be almost normal wear in my opinion.

I change mine about every 3-5 thousand at most

HM

[stonep]

Thanks Heavy Magic - but it wasn't the first oil change , but the first time I did it for myself, not via the dealer. Bike has always has regular services according to manual. Should I still expect to find metal flakes on the drain plug?

[E Z Rider]

Heavy Magic,
You are reading too fast, he means HE is doing his first oil change, not the bike's first oil change. read it s l o w l y "Dealer did an oil change (or so he says, anyway) about 1,000 miles back."
course, doing oil change every 1,000 miles is about as much sense as every 22,000 in my opinion, but hey, it is his bike, he can do what he wants and there is probably nothing to do down there on boring Aussie weekends
Stonep,
Re, your question: I'm sure there is a thread on this forum (search, search, search) that explains that this is to be expected from the primary case as the flecks will be from the clutch discs grinding away. There is no filter, so where else will they go, either from the clutch pack or any chain wear & tear? The plug is magnetic (somebody will correct me if it's not) so if you only "have a small amount of fine metal flakes" as you said, after 1,000 miles, you are good to go.
As for the color, I don't believe you will ever get the oil to stay in an as new color state. Only time you get that is in a clean fuel burning engine like LPG or propane.
Get out there, ride & enjoy the Aussie countryside, beach, desert, wherever you ride,
Jon

[stonep]

Many thanks for some good, sensible sounding advice, Jon - I'll sleep easier tonight and ride the ass of the 'Train tomorrow in the beautiful Australian springtime. Everyone tells me the HD is like a tractor - tough as hell and able to take a bit of rough treatment.

[csoday]

If there are no noises and it shifts fine, ride it and keep an eye on it. The plug is doing what it is designed for.

[stonep]

How clean should primary oil look after 2 thousand miles? I expect trannyoil to be clear, but what about primary oil?

[bbrowncods]

After 454 total miles on the bike, the Primary oil was grey with light swirl of "shiny" in it. Obvious clutch pac material.

[newultraclassic]

Primary oil will get dirty rather quickly, even at 1,000 miles. Good to change it every 3,000 miles or so.

[Trekker]

I just change all 3 at 4000 & yes I get flakes & such each time.
The plug is indeed magnetic to catch any metal that might be swirling around with the oil (from the clutch basket or sprockets as mentioned).
As for the color, expect it to be dirty. That's just means it's doing it's thing.
All sound normal with your ride, & I wouldn't lose sleep over it.
Just ride knowing H-D's are indeed like tractors.
They can handle most of what you throw at them.
Ride safe,