Kawasaki Sportsbike Riders Club - Australia - Online Forum

There was a bit of discussion about the gold flakes over at www.bigbikeworld.com (ZZR1100 etc site) They reckoned that it was an indicator of #3 conrod bearing on the way out. I reckon that is horseshit coz my ZZR1100,1200 and now my ZRX1200 have gold flakes in the oil after changing. Probably some material off gearbox spacers and not worth worrying about IMO.

Peter wrote: I'm not sure if I should be concerned about finding gold coloured metal bits in the oil ?? Has anybody else seen this in their oil ??

I have owned two bikes from new ( R65 BMW .... ok .. has the laughing finished now ? and the current ER-6 ). Both had the oil (and 2 filters) changed at least 4 times before the first dealer service @ 1000 km. As the oil was obviously brand new and clean each change,there were visible metal particles in suspension in the used oil. IMO, oil is probably the cheapest thing you can throw at an engine to prolong its life...... use a quality oil and change it (and the filter) more often than recommended by the manufacturer, at least in the early life of the bike ( assuming you have a new or low mileage machine ).

Peter wrote:the last oil change was done by Team Mofo

there is half your problem

The boys are right! Good fresh oil is cheap insurance. I change the oil on the mighty Rexess every 20 or 30 thou, wether it needs it or not!

My oil changes tend to be more like every 5,000k's Motul 5100 with a K&N race universal filter ..... yes they are just as cheap as others

bonester wrote:There was a bit of discussion about the gold flakes over at http://www.bigbikeworld.com (ZZR1100 etc site) They reckoned that it was an indicator of #3 conrod bearing on the way out. I reckon that is horseshit coz my ZZR1100,1200 and now my ZRX1200 have gold flakes in the oil after changing. Probably some material off gearbox spacers and not worth worrying about IMO.

Thanks Bonester,were these pieces big enough that you could pick them up and feel them between your fingers ?? Did you take enough notice that you can recall what you thought to be the largest of the pieces ?? I've got a lot of differing opinions from mechanics so far.

My changes will be identical to yours robracer, same oil as well, although I did use a Power Flo filter by Putoline this time because thats all the local Kwaka dealer had ?? I've never heard of the brand ??

Pete, if you are doing regular oil changes the brand of filter should not matter... they all do the same thing but when I found out the K&N's were cheap..... well say no more

Never tried feeling the bits in my fingers, Peter.

This is not looking good, might have bought a lemon ??

Nah mate ride it like you stole it. It is a *KAWASAKI* after all.

Yeah bonester your right, I'm over it !! The bike runs beautifully and the occasional clunk just adds a bit of character. I'm just gonna ride the ass of it. Thanks for the advice.

bonester wrote:There was a bit of discussion about the gold flakes over at http://www.bigbikeworld.com (ZZR1100 etc site) They reckoned that it was an indicator of #3 conrod bearing on the way out. I reckon that is horseshit coz my ZZR1100,1200 and now my ZRX1200 have gold flakes in the oil after changing. Probably some material off gearbox spacers and not worth worrying about IMO.

Hey Bonester, did the gold metal flakes continue appearing for the entire time you owned the three bikes (how long did you own them) and what amounts of the flakes did you find in the oil ??

Never had gold metal flakes in my ZRX or ZX12...