Help Identifying Oil Pan Metal Pieces (Pics)...

[Ben_Carufel]

Hi guys,

So last week I went to change the oil on my new-to-me '79 R65 the first time, and had bought an oil pan gasket to do that at the same time.

Upon taking the oil pan off, clustered in the middle of the pan there were a handful of chunks of metal. I've photographed them. The first set is the aluminum that was there. The second two photos show the single piece of steel I found.

Any thoughts as to what they may be? An experienced R65 owner who saw my bike shortly after I picked it up said he thought it sounds like it's running just right. I'm not sure whether to tear the whole thing down or ride it a while until I pick up a second bike, then tear this one down.

We're having some really great riding weather here in San Diego lately and I'm going crazy with no bike to ride.

Your help is appreciated! :ear

[Bob_Roller]

My only guess would be an issue inside the timing case, possibly at some point in time, the timing chain had problems .

It's one of the few areas that pieces like that can come off and find their way back to the oil sump with the drain holes just below the cam drive gears .

Have you taken the oil filter out yet and had a look at it  ?

[montmil]

With the pan off, can you see any damage to visible components? Can you rotate the engine and see any nicks in the piston skirt or crankcase?  

With both steel and aluminum pieces, I could only guess the engine may have hand grenaded at some time in the past and a PO did a quick 'n dirty rebuild. It's kinda scary with that much shrapnel laying in the pan.

The Airhead is a tough old bird; rather tractor-like and can take quite a lot of abuse. If the engine is running OK, I might just keep on rolling.

Have you pulled the oil filter and inspected the filter cavity?

Monte

[Ben_Carufel]

Oops, sorry gents. I should have mentioned the filter. Yes, I pulled it, and it was 100% free of any metal shavings or pieces upon teardown.

Monte, I did lay under the bike and have a look at the innards with a bright flashlight, but I didn't bother to roll the bike back and forth a bit to check the piston skirts. I'll do that in the morning!

[Barry]

I can understand how you would be concerned with relatively big lumps of metal like that in the sump but If there is no obvious damage from the areas already mentioned I'd clean up and ride it.  

BTW nice macro photos.

[Ed Miller]

I wonder if some ...um, jerk put junk down the oil fill tube.  If you can't see any damage from below, that is.  

[montmil]

I wonder if some ...um, jerk put junk down the oil fill tube.  If you can't see any damage from below, that is.  

Ex-wives, jealous boyfriends, Harley riders...

[Lucky_Lou]

I wonder if some ...um, jerk put junk down the oil fill tube.  If you can't see any damage from below, that is.  

Ex-wives, jealous boyfriends, [size=14]Harley Riders[/size]...

[size=11]Not shiny enough for harley riders worrying though
Lou[/size]