Lots of aluminum in transmission oil

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jetrep
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Joined: 08:12 am Apr 06 2012
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Location: Northern IL

Lots of aluminum in transmission oil

Post by jetrep »

A friend bought a 2003 KDX200 over the weekend. The bike is working well but the gearbox oil is turning silver quite quickly. I've seen this before on my 2001 CR125R but it had aluminum clutch plates. We haven't had a chance to pull the engine apart at all to investigate...just wanted to ask the folks here if there are any other common causes of this issue on this bike?

Does anyone know if aluminum clutch plates were ever even offered for this bike? I haven't found any available for sale yet (not that I want them...just trying to determine the likeliness of this being the cause).

I know we should be investigating this ourselves but we won't be able to get to the bike for a couple days and we're hoping to have the bike ready to ride for the weekend.

I do not know what oil was in the bike originally but we were using Rotella T 15W-40 as we had it around.
david
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Location: Forney, TX

Lots of aluminum in transmission oil

Post by david »

Yes, the friction plates are aluminum. Change the oil out with ATF.
'81 KDX 175
'90 KDX 200
'07 Vulcan 2000 Classic LT (totaled 4/25/15)
'82 Honda GL500 (sold)
'96 ZXi 1100 JetSki
'98 STX 1100 JetSki
jetrep
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Joined: 08:12 am Apr 06 2012
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Location: Northern IL

Lots of aluminum in transmission oil

Post by jetrep »

If I remember correctly when I removed my clutch (2005) to install the Dynaring the stockers were steel. What years were the plates aluminum?
david
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Joined: 08:30 pm Oct 10 2011
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Location: Forney, TX

Lots of aluminum in transmission oil

Post by david »

My 'steels' are steel, hince the name, but my frictions are aluminum if I am not mistaken. It has been a few months since I had them out and I wasn't looking for that in particular.
'81 KDX 175
'90 KDX 200
'07 Vulcan 2000 Classic LT (totaled 4/25/15)
'82 Honda GL500 (sold)
'96 ZXi 1100 JetSki
'98 STX 1100 JetSki
kdx633
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Lots of aluminum in transmission oil

Post by kdx633 »

If the previous owner did not change the oil on a regular basis then alum/steel bits will build up in nook and crannies.Rotella is a diesel oil very high in detergents that will free this gunk up and float it around.
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