Another question about...

[sneedvegas]

I have a question about... oil. I changed my oil through the screen hole for the first time today. I could tell that it had never been taken out. As expected there was a little metal near the washer end. It wasn't a great amount, so I think it is just metal from the break in period.
This time I changed to synthetic (M1 4T). I let the oil drain while on a 2x4 and with the kickstand on the ground. I started putting in the oil and realized I had forgotten the oil filter. I took it off and it drained. I put on the new filter. At this time I had put 3 quarts in. I started the bike and let it run for a few minutes. I stopped the bike and waited a few and checked the level. It was at the full mark. I rode the bike about 10 miles and came home. Again, it is showing full. The oil is dingy, like it mixed with the old. Is this a problem? Normally it wouldn't matter, but the synthetic and regular oil don't exactly mix (I've been told).

[VulcanE]

The M14T (and just about every other synthetic) is fully compatable with dino oil. It won't harm anything. You could let your bike sit and drain for 2 days, and you won't never get all the old oil out. Remember, if the oil don't get dirty, it's not doing it's job. You'll be fine.

[sneedvegas]

Thanks VulcanE, it runs like a new bike, so I figured it couldn't be too bad. Btw, I will be in your neck of the woods next Saturday. I have some friends in Adairsville that staying with before we head on down to Savannah on Sunday. I'm hoping to get in a ride over to Centre, Alabama on Sat. Those lakes over there make for some beautiful scenery.

[AlabamaNomadRider]

The amount of old oil that got into the new isn't enough to matter at all. Being dirty it will naturally give the new oil a darker color. No problem at all. I wouldn't worry about the color.

[ringadingh]

If you left it off of the 2x4 it may drain a little better, but your only talking a very minimal amount regardless.

[macmac]

You stained the new oil is all.... No big deal.

I have seen oils both dino and syn get older in the bottle and turn dark before. By the time you can see the grung in the oil bottle the rest is in the engine. That isn't exactly pleasing, but it happens.

The more temps varry on stored oils the more grungy they can get.

[sneedvegas]

How about the metal in the screen? I assumed since it was a small amount it was from the break in period. But, how much is too much in there?

[macmac]

I am a little surpised that it is metal. You sure it isn't gasket, or sealer? What color is it? And at that some gaskets are semi metalic in nature, and it may be a flake of that.

In any case unless this metal is a 1/4 inch or bigger i wouldn't worry about it. I imagine it's a flake, just large enough to have not passed thru the screen.

I pull my screen every other oil change and after the first oil change, never again found a thing.

[sneedvegas]

there was a pretty good size piece. Not larger than 1/4 inch tho. All of it seemed to have been there a while. It was bunched up on one side. I will change the oil again at some point this summer and if its not clean I'll know there's a problem.

[macmac]

Do you still have that piece? What metal does it appear to be? Steel a magnet will pick up? Alloy, gray colored metal? Brassy copper colored? What? What else was wrapped around it?

Is the screen still in good shape?