Brass in the old sump oil and oil filter housing

Hi.. anyone got any ideas.. 1979 Z1300 dropped the oil today and found what looks like brass sludge in the oil pan.. its very fine no big filings and very golden in colour.. Had this bike for a few years but haven't ridden it yet but did run it for a few minutes when I bought it.. sounded OK and haven't started it since.

dencol wrote: Hi.. anyone got any ideas.. 1979 Z1300 dropped the oil today and found what looks like brass sludge in the oil pan.. its very fine no big filings and very golden in colour.. Had this bike for a few years but haven't ridden it yet but did run it for a few minutes when I bought it.. sounded OK and haven't started it since.

they say " a picture's worth a thousand words".......... how 'bout posting a pic. Was it the only contaminant or was there "other" debris?

There's brass embedded in the clutch plates as part of the fiber plate material. Maaybe one or more of the fiber cluch plates has started to disintegrate?
And I'm thinking there's a brass plain bearing on the clutch basket (that would be typical)
I have yet to dive into the bottom end of one of these babies so maybe another member who has will chirp in please.

I think there is brass in the main bearings as one of the layers but it can't be from that. Engine would be knocking or not running if the bearings were that beat. I think....

Ledkz1300 wrote: I think there is brass in the main bearings as one of the layers but it can't be from that. Engine would be knocking or not running if the bearings were that beat. I think....

Most main bearing shells are copper with a babbitt liner fused to the copper.

As stated above the clutch is a likely culprit.

If there is any worry about the main bearings, perform an oil pressure test.

Low oil pressure would confirm either a problem with the oil pump or loose tolerances in the bearings.

Low oil pressure + metal in the sump = bad news

I agree the clutch is the most likely source of the brass particles in your oil. However I would have expected your oil filter to screen them out. I would advise you to drop the sump and check the mesh on the oil pickup isn't blocked.