Cam Chain guide advice

[ZayneE30]

Hey guys, looking for some advice to plan out what I should do.

My 75 xs650 has 6,000 miles on it and while I was doing an oil change I noticed a fair amount of black plastic looking material in the bottom of my oil drain pan. The cam chain has been adjusted spot on about 500 miles ago.

Another note is that after my bike sat for a 2 weeks while I was out of town, its first startup when I got back had this horrible grinding sound for the first 2-3 seconds. However I can not get it to replicate and the engine sounds fine when running now.

What should my next step be? Just suck it up and do the top end to replace the guide? Or would you guys keep riding.
I’ve never opened up an engine but I’ve done just about every other job you can do to a bike.

Attached is an image of me wiping up the oil drain pan with a paper towel and you can see some of the black specs.

 

[Kevin Kruse]

Those specs don't look too bad, the guide might still be intact.

Here's how my oil change looked a few months ago which I promptly tore down to replace afterwards,
https://www.xs650.com/threads/kevins-1980-xs650-g-restoration-thread.68684/post-888987

Jim's Top End Rebuild How-To in the tech section explains it all thoroughly, got me through it.

 

[ZayneE30]

Thanks kev, I was really wanting to ride it out to Palm Springs for a classic car and bike show. Thinking I might try to do it then start to gather parts.
Another note is that I only had about 150 miles on this oil change (had to drain it for some service) which is why I was worried. I feel like that’s a large amount for such little time.

 

[Kevin Kruse]

It doesn’t look too bad, but did you pull the sump cover? If the guide is breaking off bits then they might be collecting in there, also in the filter in the clutch cover.

 

[ZayneE30]

Yeah the sump looked good and I didn’t see much in the side filter. There was 2 pieces that were slightly larger, around 1-2mm.

 

[Kevin Kruse]

I would think you’re okay to ride around, maybe don’t flog it. From what I’ve seen around here is that the sides of the front guide break off which is what happened to mine, and the chain will rub on the exposed aluminum guide body.

Worse case is the plastic totally delaminates which is possible as I was able to pop mine off pretty easily when it was out. Even then I doubt it would be catastrophic, just really noisy, but I could be wrong..

 

[joebgd]

I second, I think your good to go.
You'd see more biger plastic and if it was rubbing aluminum your oil would be shiny with it. Ride with no wory.

 

[bazz]

Here's mine
The engine had sat idle for many years

 

[Raymond]

That's not really a lot in the oil, not enough to scare the horses. There's always some detritus in the engine oil. I'd be inclined to ride it around but keep an eye on it.

 

[5twins]

I'd say you're good for a while. Do plan on changing the front guide out eventually though (start "gathering" parts, lol). It's not a mileage thing but rather an age thing. The glue is failing on most of the original guides by now and the rubber strip is coming off. Just do frequent oil and filter changes (about every 1000 miles) and watch for more bits of rubber. Also inspect the oil in the drain pan for "sparkles". That could indicate the rubber strip has fallen off and the chain is grinding away the aluminum of the now "naked" guide.

The small bits of rubber you've found may not be from the guide but rather from the rubber ring attached to the #4 starter gear. It deteriorates with age as well, and can start breaking into little bits like you found .....