Milky oil and vibes

[Nomadic Cycle Racks]

All three times I have changed my oil since I have owned my the 500 have yielded a grayish tint to the oil. It kind of looks metallic .

On the last two trips to Glamis it did drink a little bit of water; just enough to dip below the start of the cheese grater looking part inside the radiator. Not sure if it came out the overflow since I only have a hose.

I rode my buddies 500 on its maiden voyage, (to him), and it has way less vibes. Is this because of his bars being rubber mounted and mine being solid? I find when I ride for a bit my right hand goes numb. His 500 also has less diesel-like noise coming from the engine.

So I guess I have two dilemas, but could they be related? Milkyish-metallic looking oil, higher vibes than said bike, and more external noise too.


Hypothesis: bottom end seals and crank is going south. My bike runs like a friggin bandit besides these issues.What do you all think?

[britincali]

The grey mettalic oil is nothing to worry about, its just aluminium from the clutch plates.

[bigpower]

Well, if you still have the aluminum plates in there, you're gonna get some gray. Glamis=sand, sand=load, load=heat, if you don't have a catch can for the rad, well, maybe a bit of overflow.

Never hurts to change the seals, ever, especially if you never have.

Vibes, could be anything, but you first gotta look at how old the machine is, what kind of riding its been subjected too, was it ever rebuilt at all, etc.
My good bro, and master motorcycle mechanic says rule of thumb on a big blocker bottom end is 10 yrs, but thats pretty much for a primarily trail ridden machine. You duners and desert dogs really wind 'em up out there so maybe a bit less. Lots of factors, lots of causes. Maybe something as simple as loose motor mount bolts. Best indicator is to measure the rod clearance next time you have the top end apart.

[britincali]

^^^^ Thats a sage bit of advice

[bigpower]

^^^^ Thats a sage bit of advice

best I can do, under the circumstances.

Bet you wish you were here

[AlisoBob]

All three times I have changed my oil since I have owned my the 500 have yielded a grayish tint to the oil. It kind of looks metallic .

Normal ( as stated) w/ aluminum clutch plates. Moose sells steel plates for $40. A good investment.

On the last two trips to Glamis it did drink a little bit of water; just enough to dip below the start of the cheese grater looking part inside the radiator. Not sure if it came out the overflow since I only have a hose.

Just monintor things.... ANYTHING can and will happen...in the dunes!

I rode my buddies 500 on its maiden voyage, (to him), and it has way less vibes. Is this because of his bars being rubber mounted and mine being solid?

Most likely

[AlisoBob]

The grey mettalic oil is nothing to worry about, its just aluminium from the clutch plates.

The aluminum suspended in the oil acts like a cutting agent against the crank seal collar. I suggest steel clutch plates, or changing your oil after every ride.

15/40 Rotella is cheap enough to do so!

[Uzi]

Also if it is using water and the oil becomes more milky you should start suspecting the seal on the water pump shaft, it may be letting water into your bottom end. Try putting a catch tank on it to see if you are boiling it out that's a strong possibility with the high motor loads in the sand. I would start by changing the clutch plates to the steel and then determine if that was what was tainting the oil.

[AlisoBob]

[M.F.D.B.]

Dont forget you are going to get some glitter even with steel plates. Every bike I have owned, dirt or street does it. The clutch friction material and normal wear also contribute...

As for the lack of rubber mounts, try dis holmes...

http://www.bannedcr500riders.com/board/ ... php?t=1965

[Nomadic Cycle Racks]

Nice input guys, thanks. So I assume I have the stock aluminum plates? Ive been running the 15/40 rotella and it has been working alright. I did have a false neutral inbetween 2nd and 3rd one time though. It revved to the moon and slammed into gear

This only happened once though. To me it felt like the oil was a bit thin in the dunes. Maybe I'll run some ATF through it and try something thicker.

As far as the vibes go, I really have no idea about the history of the motor, so I can assume it has never been rebuilt. I'll have to ride with you guys sometime soon and give the bike a one over. I'm still new to these power houses and want to dial it in. Anybody doing a Glamis trip in the near future??

[M.F.D.B.]

Nice input guys, thanks. So I assume I have the stock aluminum plates?

As far as the vibes go, I really have no idea about the history of the motor, so I can assume it has never been rebuilt.

You ASSume a lot?? The answer is only a few minutes away...

Pull the cltch cover and look at the plates...

Pop the carb and reeds and see what the piston looks like. If its a stock bore, cast, the motor prolly has never been apart.

Not sure what your budget is, but if it allows, just pull the motor and rebuild it. If your only issue is vibes and an occasional false neutral you prolly wont need anything more then a few bearings or a gear or two. Use only OEM parts from SH and replace all the gaskets and seals. You will not loose any sleep over it anymore...

[iggys-amsoil]

Trick I was taught by an old timer, but hell I'm one myself.

Loosen the motor mounts, measure for gap between the frame mounts and cases. Insert washers as needed.

Those Alum plates will turn the oil gray. Its not unusual that the coolant will be just below the rad core inside. Especailly at Glamis. I usually fill mine just to the top of the core. Check it at the end of the day.

[M.F.D.B.]

Keep an eye on the weep hole...

[dannygraves]

a catch can is your best friend in the dunes, I will fill mine up loading it at low speeds and it will suck it right back in when the temps drop. I spent like $2 on it using a wal-mart baby bottle, some zip ties, clear hose and some nigyvering.

[M.F.D.B.]

a catch can is your best friend in the dunes, I will fill mine up loading it at low speeds and it will suck it right back in when the temps drop. I spent like $2 on it using a wal-mart baby bottle, some zip ties, clear hose and some nigyvering.

Wait a minute, isnt that the one I GAVE you??

[AlisoBob]

http://www.steahlyoffroad.com/weightsde ... =N-HP46.15

[dannygraves]

a catch can is your best friend in the dunes, I will fill mine up loading it at low speeds and it will suck it right back in when the temps drop. I spent like $2 on it using a wal-mart baby bottle, some zip ties, clear hose and some nigyvering.

Wait a minute, isnt that the one I GAVE you??

nope, you gave that one to that one guy who had a '97, I made mine! Have you been hangin out with brit?

[M.F.D.B.]

a catch can is your best friend in the dunes, I will fill mine up loading it at low speeds and it will suck it right back in when the temps drop. I spent like $2 on it using a wal-mart baby bottle, some zip ties, clear hose and some nigyvering.

Wait a minute, isnt that the one I GAVE you??

nope, you gave that one to that one guy who had a '97, I made mine! Have you been hangin out with brit?

Irs CRACK dammit!!

[dannygraves]

see you tomorrow at armagosa!

[bigpower]

nigyvering.

Now theres a southern word for ya

[AlisoBob]

nigyvering.

Now theres a southern word for ya

+

[M.F.D.B.]

Messed up, but funny as hell...