Copper filings on oil filter base.

On the KZ900 the lower smooth roller had a bushing. The one with teeth had needles.

He's offline, I wonder if he is pulling the pan to have a peek? With the trip planned, better have a look, It would haunt me!

Looking at the parts fiche I would be pulling the valve cover as well to Inspect.

One thing I AM NOT sure of is if there were any bronze friction parts in the oil pump itself. This is why removing the pan is a must at this point.

If the pump rotor gears had a support bushing wearing, shouldn't loose oil pressure? It would cause the pump gear mesh to be excessive.

Motor Head wrote:

Looking at the parts fiche I would be pulling the valve cover as well to Inspect.

Checking the cam chain guide and tensioner components would not be a bad idea. Unfortunately to check all of them correctly would also entail removing the head also. When was the last time the valve clearances were inspected?

Thanks for all of the replies so far.
These filings were very fine, and stuck to the filter base like a dense paste. They were in a moon sliver shape about 1/4" wide X 1 1/2 inch long. I should have taken a photo.
They sparkled a little like the sparkle you see in Never Seaze compund, but definitely copper coloured.
The oil pressure light has not gone on and the bike sounds and runs great. I'll see if the Kaw shop has a pan gasket and I'll pull the pan.

R

Ordered a pan gasket. I won't get it until next week. I'll run it over the weekend, then dump the oil and inspect for debris. When I get the gasket I'll drop the pan.

I strongly suspect big end bearing(s).

So much for the trip I've been planning for over a year. I was really looking forward to some solo time, and mountain riding.

Sometimes life just gets in the way. They say bad luck comes in 3s. The clutch on my 2006 Frontier started to slip a coupla weeks ago. Needs a new friction disc ($450) and dual mass fly wheel ($1000!!!!!) plus labour. After taxes will be well over $2600. Of course Nissan doesn't cover ANY clutch related problems under warranty after 3 years.

I'm just waiting for the other shoe to drop.

R

I don't think it can be your crank or rod bearings- like otakar stated, they are roller bearings, not babbit bearings. There isn't any copper in them.

Personally I would drop it, and inspect, if satisfied with the results you can use a excellent silicone seal on the surface. If you read through all of the posts here the main concern may be with your timing chain guide wheels, as they would have a bushing with this material. But I had a thread last week where I was preparing for a trip, and had dropped my pan, found something unusual, and removed all of the covers to Inspect. Turns out it had a piece not from Kawasaki but from an oil additive bottle. Anyway I had a clutch cover and pan gasket at the ready, but my stator cover gasket was in correct/ or missing. So I siliconed. Much of the gaskets have been replaced in the auto industry by silicone, including oil pan gaskets.
This way if you need some parts you can get them ordered.

Okatar,

The valve clearances were checked At the Kaw shop a little over a year ago. I have no reason to suspect that they are not correct. Plugs all look good and all head pipes heat evenly. No unnatural noises or problems.

R

I'll look around myself this evening (right now I'm committed to some time with my wife), but are you guys sure the big end bearings are rollers?