Shavings in Gearbox Oil. Help!!

NialOx
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NialOx
Edited Date/Time 6/9/2021 7:14am
Hi Everyone.

Went to do a refresh of my new to me RM125.

I’ve done an hour or two on it and it was running and riding great. Clutch and gearbox working well.

I’ve just gone to change the oil and it’s got a ton of shavings in it.

I don’t think they are magnetic but I can’t tell for sure.

I’ve attached some photos.

Cheers
Nial


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NialOx
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NialOx 6/8/2021 12:46pm
6/8/2021 12:46pm
Update

Had a spare 5 min so I took the clutch cover off to have a look.

Some background info - this bike had an easy life before me. Apparently it was a farm bike up in Scotland and I bought it off a 55 year old who did very very light trail riding.

Upon inspection.

No obvious wear to clutch plates.

The basket also is barely worn.

I’m wondering if the hard use I’ve given it (first in its life) is what’s caused the first bit of wear of the basket and that’s what the shavings are.


Photos included.

Cheers



sandman768
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sandman768 6/8/2021 1:04pm
6/8/2021 1:04pm
Check the crank drive gear bolt, I have had one back out and it rubs on the inner clutch cover case....
1
NialOx
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NialOx 6/8/2021 1:06pm
6/8/2021 1:06pm
sandman768 wrote:
Check the crank drive gear bolt, I have had one back out and it rubs on the inner clutch cover case....
Did that happen to you on a motor from factory? Not rebuilt?
sandman768
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sandman768 6/8/2021 1:10pm
6/8/2021 1:10pm
It was rebuilt, mechanic error.... you can likely check it with just the cover that you already have off... it’s the bolt that holds the gear on the end of the crank, clutch side....worth taking a look......
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Paw Paw 271
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Paw Paw 271 6/8/2021 1:19pm
6/8/2021 1:19pm
Check them with a magnet to see if they are metal or alloy. The clutch basket looks to have been filed in an attempt to smooth the finger wear off. This can leave a lot of that size shavings if not cleaned.

Paw Paw
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NialOx
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NialOx 6/8/2021 1:30pm
6/8/2021 1:30pm
Paw Paw 271 wrote:
Check them with a magnet to see if they are metal or alloy. The clutch basket looks to have been filed in an attempt to smooth...
Check them with a magnet to see if they are metal or alloy. The clutch basket looks to have been filed in an attempt to smooth the finger wear off. This can leave a lot of that size shavings if not cleaned.

Paw Paw
Cheers man.

Going to buy a magnet tomorrow.

I don’t think they look filed. Honestly the bike is ridiculously clean. It wouldn’t surprise me if I essentially broke in the basket for the first time last weekend.

I’m only saying it as I know it’s quite normal on new bikes to get shavings.

Cheers
Nial
NialOx
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NialOx 6/9/2021 4:45am
6/9/2021 4:45am
sandman768 wrote:
It was rebuilt, mechanic error.... you can likely check it with just the cover that you already have off... it’s the bolt that holds the gear...
It was rebuilt, mechanic error.... you can likely check it with just the cover that you already have off... it’s the bolt that holds the gear on the end of the crank, clutch side....worth taking a look......
It’s like you are mystic.

As you suspected. Crank gear bolt completely loose and chewed up the back of the basket. I’ve attached photos.

Baring in mind the amount of swarf. Do with think it’s fair to say a full rebuild is in order?



sandman768
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sandman768 6/9/2021 5:06am
6/9/2021 5:06am Edited Date/Time 6/9/2021 5:11am
The threads in the crank half end will need to be chased by a quality tap, no Chinese metal! Get a new crank bolt. If you can save the crank threads, use Red loc tite when installing the new bolt, torque to proper specs. I would disassemble and clean the clutch and shifter star assy. To remove as much of the shavings as possible. Reassemble and start bike, keep changing oil until shavings are gone. Usually the bolt backs out & rubs on the inner clutch cover. Should probably spin all the bearings to see if they are damaged from the shavings, any roughness would indicate replacement needed.
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NialOx
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NialOx 6/9/2021 5:18am
6/9/2021 5:18am
sandman768 wrote:
The threads in the crank half end will need to be chased by a quality tap, no Chinese metal! Get a new crank bolt. If you...
The threads in the crank half end will need to be chased by a quality tap, no Chinese metal! Get a new crank bolt. If you can save the crank threads, use Red loc tite when installing the new bolt, torque to proper specs. I would disassemble and clean the clutch and shifter star assy. To remove as much of the shavings as possible. Reassemble and start bike, keep changing oil until shavings are gone. Usually the bolt backs out & rubs on the inner clutch cover. Should probably spin all the bearings to see if they are damaged from the shavings, any roughness would indicate replacement needed.
Cheers man.

I’m sort of in the mind that if I can get the next few weekends out the way I’ll crack on and just re-do the engine.

I’m just wary of the gearbox pulling up loads of shite as I know they are a weak point.

Do you know how you torque the primary bolt without spinning the engine?

I’ve attached another photos - not sure if face of gear is supposed to be flush to end of crank but I can’t push it anymore
sandman768
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sandman768 6/9/2021 5:40am
6/9/2021 5:40am
You can use a copper penny to jam the gear between clutch basket gear, get service manual for proper gear placement & torque specs.... Gear should line up with basket gear....
1
NialOx
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NialOx 6/9/2021 7:14am
6/9/2021 7:14am
sandman768 wrote:
You can use a copper penny to jam the gear between clutch basket gear, get service manual for proper gear placement & torque specs.... Gear should...
You can use a copper penny to jam the gear between clutch basket gear, get service manual for proper gear placement & torque specs.... Gear should line up with basket gear....
Brilliant. Thanks so much

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