DR650 gearbox whine

[XF650]

Oil change for Brass Monkey has revealed a few very small bits of swarf plus the oil was quite black.
Only done approx 2,000km since last oil change, mostly gravel.
3rd gear whine isn't getting any quieter either.

[pete376403]

Black is ok - means the detergent in the oil is getting the carbon particles (blowby soot) out of the engine. Metal particles is not so good. Is the metal on a magnetic drain plug? if so does the magnet look "furry"? That's pretty normal, however if the metal is larger, more discrete particles, might be time to get worried.
Split the old oil fiter open and see what is trapped in there.

[XF650]

Having trouble uploading pic of the particles that were stuck to the magnet. Very small bits though & nothing in the filter.

[NordieBoy]

I'm going to guess this is the photo referred to above.


Just found it on the interweb somewhere.

[dino3310]

i'd expect that after a rebuild, mines done 1500 with 3 oil changes and shes all clear now.
but im never surprized with the amont off shit that wears inside a motor.
Could it be a little hardfacing off the third gear maybe

[XF650]

Decided to bite the bullet & have the gears inspected - after 41,700 km's the 3rd gear whine wasn't getting any quieter plus as per previous posts, oil changes were occasionally revealing minute traces of metal.
However all's not what I was expecting - it's obvious 4th gear is the one that's "delaminating" (the blacker one in the pics). Plus there is a bit of wear where the selector forks engage, within tolerance but still makes me question the oil I'v been using.
But what is most surprising is that the noisy 3rd gears (drive & driven), are showing the least wear of the lot!!! WTF.

[JATZ]

Plus there is a bit of wear where the selector forks engage, within tolerance but still makes me question the oil I'v been using.

You can't leave us all hanging like that

What oil were you using ? just so we know which one to avoid

[Woodman]

You can't leave us all hanging like that

What oil were you using ? just so we know which one to avoid

Hey, maybe start a new thread about which oil to use????

[tri boy]

Hey, maybe start a new thread about which oil to use????

Noooooooooooooooo,

[miles1]

Before any one else strips their gear boxes it migh pay to read this.
My XF 650 has screamed like a banchie in 3rd since i brought it 2nd hand 8 years ago with 16000 ks on the clock.
I finished flogging the bike through africa in Jan this year and put another 22 000 odd ks on the clock. It now has 78 000. The motor got so dam hot in northern Kenya (45 ish) you could cook eggs on the clutch cover. I used any oil i could get my hands on, 10 40, 15 40, 20 40, what ever. When i drain the oil is is always black (a bit of carbon in it) but clean. sometimes small pieces come out. (no where near the amount that my old KTM 520 always had)
To me (i am a mechanic) it sounds like a gear mesh problem. I could be wrong though.
I am going to keep flogging it until the engine stops and then buy another one.
I put another 5000 ks on the bike here in austria with no problems and it is now sitting in a crate down stairs waiting to be shipped back to NZ.
I did blow the rear shock 3 times (because it is crap and i was riding to fast with to much weight) fixed it on the side of the road the first time with a new seal head then i brought seals in Ethiopia for $2 USD.
If you are interested in Have a look at my blog on Travel Pod, search miles1

Cheers Miles

[dino3310]

Hey, maybe start a new thread about which oil to use????

yeah yeah and it could have a simular name like 'KLR650 owners whine'




i just know im gonna pay for that

[dino3310]

If you are interested in Have a look at my blog on Travel Pod, search miles1

Cheers Miles

sweet mate, good to see the 650 getting what she made for

[Aslan]

Before any one else strips their gear boxes it migh pay to read this.
My XF 650 has screamed like a banchie in 3rd since i brought it 2nd hand 8 years ago with 16000 ks on the clock.
I finished flogging the bike through africa in Jan this year and put another 22 000 odd ks on the clock. It now has 78 000. The motor got so dam hot in northern Kenya (45 ish) you could cook eggs on the clutch cover. I used any oil i could get my hands on, 10 40, 15 40, 20 40, what ever. When i drain the oil is is always black (a bit of carbon in it) but clean. sometimes small pieces come out. (no where near the amount that my old KTM 520 always had)
To me (i am a mechanic) it sounds like a gear mesh problem. I could be wrong though.
I am going to keep flogging it until the engine stops and then buy another one.
I put another 5000 ks on the bike here in austria with no problems and it is now sitting in a crate down stairs waiting to be shipped back to NZ.
I did blow the rear shock 3 times (because it is crap and i was riding to fast with to much weight) fixed it on the side of the road the first time with a new seal head then i brought seals in Ethiopia for $2 USD.
If you are interested in Have a look at my blog on Travel Pod, search miles1

Cheers Miles

thanks for posting Miles - encouraging for those of us with DR's - cheers Aslan

[Aslan]

Decided to bite the bullet & have the gears inspected - after 41,700 km's the 3rd gear whine wasn't getting any quieter plus as per previous posts, oil changes were occasionally revealing minute traces of metal.
However all's not what I was expecting - it's obvious 4th gear is the one that's "delaminating" (the blacker one in the pics). Plus there is a bit of wear where the selector forks engage, within tolerance but still makes me question the oil I'v been using.
But what is most surprising is that the noisy 3rd gears (drive & driven), are showing the least wear of the lot!!! WTF.

Watching with interest Struan - trust all's well for you

[NordieBoy]

3rd does look to be in good condition

4th however is really cool...