Gold flakes in engine oil

[Petrikoh]

Bike: SXV 450 2011
Hours: 20 in track use
Problem: Found gold / copper coloured flakes in engine oil filter. These flakes can not be found from oil which is let out from drain plug. Inserts are aproximately max 1 mm in diameter. I have checked stator and it was fine. Big question goes, where these flakes are coming from ? There might be only couple of solutions for this, maybe fronk crank bearing ? Engine is running with no extra noise or vibration.
Thanks!

[SXVINWA]

Stator wasn't it? Sure it's copper?

[bimmerpowrd]

your bike is so awesome it makes its own gold! filter it out & make a big ass necklace

[ApeTheGreat]

rod bearings?

[swerver]

your bike is so awesome it makes its own gold! filter it out & make a big ass necklace

I lol'ed

[wrx_02]

Goldschläger? Take some pictures, I would say a rod bearing too but you said it is running fine?

[Petrikoh]

Here is couple of pictures

http://s1171.photobucket.com/albums/r541/petrikoh/

It seems that rod bearings are most probable source for these.

[JOEDOTCOM]

hi
i would say, big end or crank,
i think its the only place there's copper in the engine,
apart from the stator, which you checked
would strip and investigate
could still be rescueable if caught early
cheers
joe

[Richey]

seen the same thing on slowdave's rmz, think that was bigend bearing, was making a real racket though when it went

[uswjmc22]

Had these same flakes as well. Not good.
Bearing shells are 1 possible source besides the stator.
I'd suggest sending pics to Allen Noland for a diagnosis.

[Rv6John]

That much metal = stop running it till you find out what is making it. If that is a bearing shell going then it is through the tin(wear layer) and eating at the base.

[cal550]

def something bad , get is built , prob shell bearings , thats best case scenario

[ETN550]

That much metal = stop running it till you find out what is making it. If that is a bearing shell going then it is through the tin(wear layer) and eating at the base.

What is the rest of the metal shown in the pic of the filter housing? Could be Steel or Lead? Is it magnetic? Better find it before running anymore. That much metal should reveal its cause when disassembled.

[Rv6John]

I don't know if you saw the latest pics on Allen Nolands (Nolands Trans-world cycles) facebook. Gold particles in the filter housing a few hours before the bearing spun and it threw the front rod. Looks like only a few bits are useable in the engine.

[Motocrosser85]

Petri have you got it sorted out yet? 3 weeks to next race