Plastic Bits / Oil Change

[Duck749]

Ok, so I believe these are from the arm/guide (non metallic), what I am concerned about is, I just did a top end…

Bike is a ‘78 Special and has 29k miles and now 150 miles after top end done. Top end was because I previously found long black strands of plastic in the bottom filter. I put new chain, cam bearings and arm/guide in while also polishing valve seats. Bike has run great and no issues since top end.

Was careful to follow all the alignment of front guide. Only thing I can think is when putting chain tensioner cap back on it stuck some as threading it on, and I know turned tensioner in. Got that all cleaned up and such and is smooth and tensioner still set correctly currently. Maybe went 5-10 miles initially with it in (tighter condition).

Question is, is it normal to get some wear in of parts and see small pieces. These pieces were found in the side filter not lower end one.

 

[Jim]

Best guess is the epoxy that holds the mesh in place on the sump filter. Kinda hard to believe those bits will make it through the pump, but it's happened before. @robinc (rip) had exactly the same thing happen to his fresh top end. Finally found where they broke off the sump filter.

I'd look there first.

 

[Jim]

From here...
https://www.xs650.com/threads/on-the-road-again-at-40-the-bike-that-is.49360/post-557052

 

[Duck749]

Thanks - that is a relief motor isnt coming apart! Fortunately I just replaced lower sump filter with new one. Color does look like glue from old filter. Couldnt remember the color guide I put in from Heiden Tuning but old ones were black.

Here is pick of the piece ontop of the old filter

 

[Jim]

Looks like a match to me.

After the fact (Robin's), realized the epoxy must have broke loose inside the sump filter, 'cause it can't pass through from the outside. If I ever run across this issue, I'll toss it. Can't do a repair to the inside of it.

 

[5twins]

That looks like one of the aftermarket replacements (round magnet). Guess we need to add that to the list of bad things about them, lol.