| Author | Message | ||
     Whiskeytango |
Hi, I just changed my transmission fluid and there was a lot of metal on my drain plug, more than I have ever seen. The bike has had synthetic fluids since it was broken in and it was just changed 2000 miles ago. The transmission shifts well, but I've been getting an intermittant but frequent squeeling noise that I can't identify. The oil on the inspection cover was frothy white, but the oil in the tranny looked fine. It was Mobil 1 15W50(NON-motorcycle oil) which I just switched over to Mobil 1 V-twin 20W50 in both the engine and transmission. The amount of metal on my plug was such that it looked "fuzzy" for 1/4 of an inch all around the plug. Should I be worried? Thanks, WT  | ||
| Glitch |
I'd be more worried about how the water got in. That milky white is moisture in the oil. | ||
| Whiskeytango |
OK, now I'm worried about that! Everything was clean and leak free. I've run without my airbox in the rain a few times, but I ride very gently in the rain. The oil in the engine looked fine. How else could water have gotten in there? | ||
| Crashcourse411 |
This has been in other threads. The water probably got in from the clutch cable boot out in front. IMHO change the oil until it no longer looks milky this will probably clear up the "squeeling" you hear also. Then see how it shifts. Does anyone know what the friction discs are made of in the clutch pack? Are there metal ones and fiber ones like other non-Buell clutches? The fuzz could be from the metal discs if they are ferrous. Since the clutch is probably not engaging correctly with all the water in there. Good luck | ||
| Johnnylunchbox |
I use a small zip tie to seal the rubber boot on the clutch cable adjuster. Some pack the boot full of grease. | ||
| Crashcourse411 |
Bad post timing. I believe one of the lines in the air box is the trans vent this maybe where your water came in. First get the water out that is the cheap and easy thing to do. It will just cost time and a few more quartz of oil. | ||
| Whiskeytango |
Ah-ha! Thank you all for such fast answers. I just changed the fluid and drove around for about 15 minutes. The squeek came and went until it warmed up and then it went away. I'll see if it comes back after I ride it this evening. In the mean time I will see about sealing up that boot. I also have a new airbox on the way from American Sport Bike. It is too much stress for me on a daily driver when I can't even tell the difference except for the noise. This forum is great! Thanks again, Warren | ||
| Roly |
hi ,a lot of the milky stuff is condensation, short trips will cause this ,need to warm up more .washing with cold water when engine hot another no no ,cold meets hot. silicon the clutch cable round the joint ,another entry point. riding in the rain ,water hitting cases,another problem with short guards. | ||
| Whiskeytango |
Crashcourse411, did you mean that I should change my fluid again (or multipal times) to help clean out all of the water? I guess if it was splashed up on the inspection cover, it is splashed around everywhere in there, right? How long should I run it in between draining/filling? Thanks again, Warren | ||
| Whiskeytango |
Roly, I do make a lot of short trips, but with the cost of gas now, I'm trying not to ride just for fun(which sucks!), but I'll keep that in mind. The rain I can't do anything about. I just sold my truck so if its raining, I'm riding! I've got some silicon in the garage, so I'll do that right now! Thanks, WT | ||
| Reepicheep |
Every time I pull that boot, water comes pouring out. I just did a fluid change yesterday and did a cable tie, I will see if that fixes it. It could be coming in the clutch lever as well. Lube your cable while you are putzing in there, makes a WORLD of difference. | ||
| M1combat |
Keep riding in the rain  . Ride it once a week or so up to FULL operating temp. It'll cause the water to vaporize and most of it will come out the vent (which I believe is the tube zip tied to the upper portion of the damper). As far as the fuzzy plug, I wouldn't worry about it too much unless you get large chunks. 16K miles and I change my M1 75/90 gear oil every 2K-2500 miles. I've gotten fuzz every time. | ||
| Roly |
hi ,its the silicon that sets hard, builders or glazing type.gas here in the uk is approx 9 dollars a gall, bo hoo . i do 40 miles every day. usually on the buell ,all weathers.you will have to change tranny oil few times to get results.you could try leaving the case cover off overnight a few times too, it should evaporate a little .it happened to me on a ktm 640. | ||
| Dtx |
Whisky, I just changed my fluids last night. There is always fuzz on the plug. Don't worry about it too much. I see you are a KC guy. You have to come riding with us sometime! Drake | ||
| Whiskeytango |
Dtx, I just read your profile and I would love to see your bike! I'm debating the D&D versus the Drummer without ever hearing either. Do you ride with the group that meets on Fridays at 119th and Metcalf? I'm going to show up this week and meet some other Buell riders, but if you ride more frequently, just let me know! I guess I can learn to live with a fuzzy plug... Thanks again, WT | ||
| Kccyclone |
Whiskey, wait on your exhaust decision until you hear and see Tim, JJ, and mine on Friday...Drakes sounds great, but ours is a lot less $$$$$$$$$$$ ... Larry | ||
| Whiskeytango |
Cool! I can't wait! | ||
| Madsx |
Whats the best way to lube the clutch cable and with what? | ||
| Henrik |
I always use mountain biking cable lube. Those guys see much more dirt than we do - and their shifting is highly dependent on cables functioning perfectly. You can get lube canisters with an unsharpened syringe type needle, which makes it easier to actually get the lube into the cable. Henrik | ||
| Midknyte |
Pics of the cable you want to grease and zip-tie for clarity. I put just enough white grease to form a seal...   | ||
| Dtx |
Whiskey, Yeah I ride with all those guys. Great group! I have to agree on their exhausts...they are the best sound for the dollar. However, if I could do it all over again, I would still get the D&D. I really like its BARK. | ||
| Truk |
Another thought. Check the clutch cable where it comes down from the handle bars and around the frame on the right side. It can rub through the rubber covering on the clutch cable exposing the cable where the clutch cable hits the frame. I Tie wrapped an additional rubber hose over the clutch cable at that point where it comes in contact with the frame for some additional protection. Mine had started to rub through, but had not exposed the cable. If the cable was exposed it seems like another potential access point for water. I have also used electrical tape and tie wrapped on both ends of my clutch boot. 9,200 miles and so far no water.... | ||
| Wyckedflesh |
Suprised no one has said anything to you yet, but 15w50 is to thin an oil for the transmission/primary. 20w50 MINIMUM, 75w90 Mobil1 seems to be the most common for people who don't use the Buell recommended Sporttrans. Remember, the primary covers your clutch AND your transmission so running a non gearlube or motorcycle intended oil can cause problems with your clutch plates down the road. Yes, the clutch is made up of alternating fiber plates and steel plates. Its the fingers of the plates sliding back and forth in the clutch housing grooves that makes most of the "fur" that builds up on the drain plug. | ||
| Whiskeytango |
Wyckedflesh, I took it for a ride last night and this morning and the shifting feels funny, I had a couple of false neutrals and it just feels different. I'll go get some M1 75W90 gear lube and try it again! Thanks again, WT | ||
| Reepicheep |
I used the same stuff Henrik did, I forget the brand, but it had a dull needle tip on it. Lean the bike as far to the right as you dare, pull the clutch lever in, and jam that needle as far down the cable hole as you can get it, and squeeeeeeeze. Hopefully, most of it will go down the cable instead of all over the bike... | ||
| Whiskeytango |
Wyckedflesh, Much better with the M1 75W90! There was MUCH less emulsified oil this time and the Mobil 1 bottle design was much easier to use than a funnel. All the weirdness is gone and it is shifting beautifully! Its raining again so hopefully the zip-ties and silicone will keep out the water this time. Thanks to all for your help! WT | ||
| Dtx |
Whiskey, where did you get the M1 75W90? | ||
| Whiskeytango |
Dtx, They have it at the Advance Auto Parts on 75th and Metcalf for $8.18 I might have gotten the last one though! I would call first! WT | ||
| Dtx |
OK, thanks! |
