I replaced my final drive oil today. I'm not entirely sure but I thought I saw a metal shaving or two stuck to the fill cap. It was covered in oil so it may have been something else I guess. It wasn't a lot, just a spec or two. Is this normal wear and tear? Btw the bike has just at 48000 miles, so this is only the second time the oils been changed as per the manual.

Thanks for your time.
Btw, I love the smell of hypoid gear oil in the morning. It smells like victory.

A flake or two I wouldn't be worried about. Now if the oil starts to look silvery or if there's more than that it's time to investigate.
But at 48K on a shaftie? Shouldn't be a problem in the world!

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Have owned - 2001 Suzuki Volusia
Current bike - 2005 Kawasaki Z750S
MMI Graduation date January 9th, 2009. Factory Certifications in Suzuki and Yamaha

Cool. The fluid was the normal blue-ish color. Pretty much the exact same color as the new stuff I put in. Thanks for the help.

P.s while I have your attention, the owner's manual said that the engine oil change interval is 8000 miles. Does that seem abnormally high to anyone else? It recommends GP 40 which I'm pretty sure is conventional. I'm a bit harder on my engine than the average rider so I've been changing it every 2000-3000. I mean I know Honda wrote it, so it should pretty much be a law of physics, but 8000 miles?

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[IMG]http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff16/Amdonim/527606_886228938392_991908680_n.jpg[/IMG]

2000 C10 Connie

Good to hear!
And as for your engine, not really unusual, but make sure it's saying miles not kilometers. Otherwise I'd go with whatever you're comfortable with. 8K should be fine, if you're feeling a bit paranoid, try doing it at 5 or 6K instead.

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Have owned - 2001 Suzuki Volusia
Current bike - 2005 Kawasaki Z750S
MMI Graduation date January 9th, 2009. Factory Certifications in Suzuki and Yamaha

How many miles do you ride a year?

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2008 Ducati Hypermotard 1100
2006 Kawasaki KLX250S
2004 Honda CBR600RR
2002 BMW R1150R
1996 Ducati 900SS

Between 15-20k

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[IMG]http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff16/Amdonim/527606_886228938392_991908680_n.jpg[/IMG]

2000 C10 Connie

On the newer Honda/Acura cars, the oil change interval is no longer done by mileage or time. They now come with an oil life gauge which calculates oil degradation using various data. The oil life computer usually tell the driver to change the oil at around 5000 miles. So if Honda cars need to have their oil changed at 5K, how can a wet clutched unit construction Honda motorcyle engine go 8000 miles??? Makes no sense.

Yeah I would continue changing it at the 3000 mile interval. You can go longer if you use synthetic.

I would think that an oil with 8000 miles on it , it would be awfully difficult to find neutral on a hot day at a stop.

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2008 Ducati Hypermotard 1100
2006 Kawasaki KLX250S
2004 Honda CBR600RR
2002 BMW R1150R
1996 Ducati 900SS

Ya I agree. Ever since my first bike I've always been paranoid about oil. I double checked it, it says 8000 miles. Oh well. It's not that expensive. If it can handle that, it's $35 for a little peace of mind.

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[IMG]http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff16/Amdonim/527606_886228938392_991908680_n.jpg[/IMG]

2000 C10 Connie

Because it's not a high performance engine, runs a bit cooler than the average car engine, and isn't submitted to as many heating/cooling cycles as most cars are per mileage.

_________________
Have owned - 2001 Suzuki Volusia
Current bike - 2005 Kawasaki Z750S
MMI Graduation date January 9th, 2009. Factory Certifications in Suzuki and Yamaha

What about the unit construction as well as the wet clutch?

_________________
2008 Ducati Hypermotard 1100
2006 Kawasaki KLX250S
2004 Honda CBR600RR
2002 BMW R1150R
1996 Ducati 900SS