Metal sliver in oil -- time to panic?

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monkeyodeath

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I was doing my first oil change on my new-to-me MKIII when I noticed a small sliver of metal sticking to the magnetic sump drain plug.

The piece is ferrous and fairly stiff. No glitter in the oil or any other pieces I could find. Engine seems to run fine.

Any ideas what this might be and how worried I should be about it?

Metal sliver in oil -- time to panic?Metal sliver in oil -- time to panic?
 
Last edited:
monkeyodeath said:
I was doing my first oil change on my new-to-me MKIII when I noticed a small sliver of metal sticking to the magnetic sump drain plug.

The piece is ferrous and fairly stiff. No glitter in the oil or any other pieces I could find. Engine seems to run fine.

Any ideas what this might be and how worried I should be about it?

View attachment 124591
Click to expand...
Well, if panic is your preferred method of response, so be it. It would be prudent, however, to investigate the source.

https://www.accessnorton.com/NortonCommando/why-we-call-it-inspection-2018.24374/

One thing is for certain, mechanical things do not heal themselves.
 
My apologies for the terrible photo, I had uploaded the wrong one. My initial post has been amended with better ones. Piece is about 1/8" long or so.

This bike's engine was rebuilt some 20+ years ago, according to receipts. I have good reason to believe that it's been ridden a fair bit since then, though probably not starship mileage.

I didn't notice any "fur" otherwise on the drain plug, just this chunk.
 
Does look like a bearing cage but as it should have twin roller bearing mains it does not match typical roller bearing cage which is more solid than pressed steel it appears to be.

This is the current typical roller main.

Metal sliver in oil -- time to panic?


Interesting to see what one from 20 years ago would look like, here is a typical ball bearing with pressed steel cage.

Metal sliver in oil -- time to panic?
 
Cut open the old oil filter and see it's content of debris. I would also remove the oil tank and flush it out and look for debris and sludge. Also already mentioned the 1-1/2" hex big sump plug/ screen. For me, it is the work needed when you get a used bike and want to check the vitals.
 
Carl H said:
Cut open the old oil filter and see it's content of debris. I would also remove the oil tank and flush it out and look for debris and sludge. Also already mentioned the 1-1/2" hex big sump plug/ screen. For me, it is the work needed when you get a used bike and want to check the vitals.
Click to expand...
This is good advice and I'll do it and report back.
 
"This bike's engine was rebuilt some 20+ years ago, according to receipts."


Would you be willing to share those receipts with us?
Sometimes there are subtle clues woven into the verbiage/partslist.
 

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