you have some great suggestions. I would make sure you are there when the next service is done. where ever that is

 

It can also happen with dino oil.

 

I can say for sure that no matter where I do the service I'll get the oil filter and at least a good sample of my oil and check it out.

 

The blame on synthetic oil is BS.

 

Just finished a top end rebuild including having heads ported. Just did a 200 mile oil change and I found lots of brass particles in the oil at bottom of the pan? Very small but a lot of them? Bike runs perfect, no knocks or weird noises? No smoke or strange vibrations? Trying to figure out where they are coming from. Always had Harley do my oil changes before and they never said anything. Don't know if this is a old issue or something new? Valve Guides? Cam bushings? Wrist pin bushings? Rocker pin bushings? I don't know if there is any brass used on the bottom end? Thrust Washers? This is a Sportster Engine.

 

Since you were not there when the filter was cut open, you are trusting someone that will benefit from you believing them. There may have been some material in the filter and maybe not. I would run a fresh oil change for 1000 miles and change it myself, cut the filter apart and examine it on your own. I would think that if something was coming apart internally your drain plug magnet would pick something up too, examine it when you change your oil after the 1000 mile change. If you don't fell comfortable going 1000 miles just go 500.
One other thing, why did he cut your filter apart, is this normal procedure for him? Most shops don't cut filters apart unless there is a reason. Do you know anyone else that goes to him for service that you can ask about the filter cutting?

JMO!

 

They never cut my filters open that I know of. I have done the two recent oil changes since the rebuild. I found the brass particles in my oil. I did the 2,4,6,8, heat cycles on the rebuild using the old oil that was in the bike so I could wash out the assembly lube. I than put 200 miles on it and did another oil change. It was on this oil change that I noticed the brass. I just got back from Harley and they said that in most cases that they find brass in the oil it is the thrust washers. If it is I should get knocking or clanking very soon. So I'm just going to keep riding it and see what happens. I will stay local though.

 

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exactly!

 

The Synthetic oil didn't cause damage to your engine on it's own. I'd personally RUN from a shop that told me that. Something else is going on there, assuming it's not shavings from the filter housing being cut open incorrectly. Send the oil to blackstone and find out exactly what's in your oil.

 

Newbie question in an old thread...