First of all, I just want to say what a great forum and website this is! I just discovered you guys this morning. I have an 02 Wide Glide and I just took it in for the 25K mile service yesterday. The tech guy calls me and tells me that I have metal shavings on the drain plug and coming out of the transmission. I am close to 300lbs and I ride my bike pretty hard. But I always use a clutch and I dont do burnouts or speedshifting. I would still think that I could get at least 40K miles before I would need to rebuild? Do these guys just want my money, or should I pay to diagnose the problem? Any info would be greatly appreciated. Have a great day!

 

Normal wear and tear will produce metal shavings.The metal that is stuck to the magnet should look more like a sludge rather than chunks or large slivers.
Did the teck show you!
Does the tranny make noise or shifts hard?
If not just ride it IMO.

 

Thanks for the help and information. I am basically looking for someone to tell me if it aint broke, dont fix it. I dont have any problems shifting, no noises, no problems with nuetral? The bike runs like a dream? Thanks for any info!

P.S. The tech guy said it was shavings last time (22,500 miles) and this time he said it was chunks?(25K miles)

 

Change it yourself next time. If it is real fine, it is normal. Harley Transmissions last a long time if you treat them right. Make sure you are using good lube. When you get to 75,000 to 100,000 miles, then you can think maybe I nned to check the engine and tranny for wear. If you are satidfied at your own fluid change results, you know you might need to let you riding buddies know to stay away from the servive tech with the metal flakes. I had a new GMC Pick-up, and had a Quicky oil change tech tell me I needed a Major Engine overhaul. I did not listen to the jerk. That was 250,000 problem free miles ago.

 

Change it yourself next time. If it is real fine, it is normal. Harley Transmissions last a long time if you treat them right. Make sure you are using good lube. When you get to 75,000 to 100,000 miles, then you can think maybe I need to check the engine and tranny for wear. If you are satisfied at your own fluid change results, you know you might need to let you riding buddies know to stay away from the service tech with the metal flakes. I had a new GMC Pick-up, and had a Quicky oil change tech tell me I needed a Major Engine overhaul. I did not listen to the jerk. That was 250,000 problem free miles ago.

 

Jake,

Just did a 10k transmission oil change, and I did not see much shavings as I seen on my 7.5 change. I switched to Redline heavy shockproof. The shifting is smooth and no loud engagement any more...

Randy