Metal on Primary drain plug

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Aug 2, 2012 | 12:41 PM

#21

NoCoLoco

Road Warrior

Joined: Jul 2009

Posts: 1,979

Likes: 2

From: Northern Colorado

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guntoter

Myself, I change engine oil, filter, transmission oil and primary oil every time together. I also don't let it ever go past 3000 miles (unless on a trip) and use Syn3 in all 3. So far, so good on 2 different bikes. I have never understood all these theories and advice on using non synthetic oil is somehow better.

All things being equal, in "ideal" conditions, synthetic is no better than dino. It is in extreme conditions, like with temperature and pressure is where synthetic has its advantages and you don't really get that in the primary. Using a premium synthetic oil in there is overkill, so is changing all 3 oils every 3000 miles. You're throwing your money away... not to mention perfectly good oil haha!

Aug 2, 2012 | 01:06 PM

#22

ltmdl90

Road Captain

Joined: May 2008

Posts: 568

Likes: 3

From: Windber, PA

Looks normal to me, i just changed mine this afternoon at 13,000 miles and adjusted my clutch. Put syn 3 in it. Its a shame how much the dealers charge to do it.

Aug 2, 2012 | 01:15 PM

#23

CVORoadKing2013

Thread Starter

Tourer

Joined: Aug 2011

Posts: 401

Likes: 22

From: Lebanon, Pa

Not sure how the clutch came out of adjustment. All I know is I ended up with a ton of play in the lever(more than the 1/16 -1/8) and the cable tensioner was extended a lot. When I took back to the dealer they did the clutch adjustment again and it seems fine.

Aug 2, 2012 | 02:44 PM

#24

baust55

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: May 2011

Posts: 2,283

Likes: 4

From: nebraska

hummm .. i changed all three holes the primary fluid was very dark almost black and thick ..
very little metal on the plug.

i was saprized it was so dark ??

Aug 2, 2012 | 02:59 PM

#25

FDHOG

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Jul 2010

Posts: 2,275

Likes: 241

From: Highlands, NJ

Fine fuzz in mine. Gotta agree with others. I run Amsoil 20/50 in the crankcase and Severe Gear in the tranny, but I found that Formula+ works the best in the primary (go figure).

Aug 2, 2012 | 04:11 PM

#26

Retrop

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Nov 2008

Posts: 2,034

Likes: 128

As the clutch plates go through normal wear and tear they will shed metal. That is the very reason the engineers put a magnetic tip on the plug. It is normal for it to accumulate if you ride your bike much at all. What I saw was not accessive. Next time you change the primary fluid you might not have any fuzz down there. If you did not have any fuzz on the magnet that would mean it does not get ridden much. The magnet is working, don't sweat the small stuff.

Aug 2, 2012 | 06:16 PM

#27

jpooch00

Elite HDF Member

Joined: Jun 2007

Posts: 4,867

Likes: 268

From: People's Republic of Boulder Colorado

I used to have some fuzz/paste on the magnet when I changed the primary oil. Since I started using Redline primary oil, I have no metal at all on the magnet.

Don't know if this would apply to everybody, but that's been my personal experience.

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with Redline products in any way, but I'm sold on them.

Last edited by jpooch00; Aug 2, 2012 at 06:18 PM.

Aug 2, 2012 | 07:31 PM

#28

stratplexi

Grand HDF Member

Joined: May 2006

Posts: 3,636

Likes: 1,208

From: Ohio

Dont worry about it...you are fine. Just change all 3 holes every 5K miles and you will be fine and your bike will last a long time. Use Syn 3 in the motor and trans and use the formula + in primary. No need to go Syn in the primary as it does not see the extreme conditions your motor does and I think the Formula + allows the clutch to 'grab' a little better but this might be my imagination.

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Aug 2, 2012 | 07:52 PM

#29

Notgrownup

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Mar 2009

Posts: 24,730

Likes: 9,241

From: Snow Hill, NC

i have 72000 miles on mine and when it was new i have seen that much fuzz and shavings on it...it cleaned up after the 2nd and 3rd oil change...i change mine every 10000 miles.