Vulcan Drifter Riders

DISCUSSIONS => Drifter 1500 only => Topic started by: OR Seedman on April 24, 2018, 11:56:34 AM

Title: Small bearings in oil
Post by: OR Seedman on April 24, 2018, 11:56:34 AM
so...I was changing the oil on my 1500 that I replaced the bevel gear bearing on  (first oil change after initial clean out and repair...about 250 miles on this oil) and I pulled the pre-filter screen to get everything out.  The screen was clean and I could not find any metal shavings from the bad bearing when I emptied the oil....however, I did find these two small ball bearings (3-4 mm in diameter).  Any idea where they would have come from internally?  they are far too small to have come from the bad bevel gear bearing and none seemed to be missing from it when I pulled it....any ideas would be greatly appreciated...

ps...the engine seems to run just fine without any excessive knocking or noise...

Title: Re: Small bearings in oil
Post by: Ogri on April 24, 2018, 15:53:07 PM
Part of a non-return valve of some kind?
Title: Re: Small bearings in oil
Post by: Bucko on April 24, 2018, 17:05:47 PM
Not trying to be a dick but are you sure they weren't in the oil change pan before you dropped the oil?  They look like they're bicycle size.
Title: Re: Small bearings in oil
Post by: OR Seedman on April 24, 2018, 17:27:05 PM
that's okay...someone was bound to ask that question....and yes, I am sure...the pan was clean before draining the oil into it...
Title: Re: Small bearings in oil
Post by: greenbarn on April 26, 2018, 21:45:18 PM
I think those look like muffler bearings, probably got back internally somehow through the exhaust valve, and ended up sucking back through the Kuhneutson Valve , and winding up down in the oil pan.    .... ::)....   sorry, I couldn't resist, LOL.

I do not know for sure, where those could have come from.   What about the case bearings on the ends of the crank and the balancer shaft and the trans input and output shafts??     I think it would make me pretty nervous--  worth taking them to your local friendly Kaw dealer, to ask a tech if he recognizes them. 
Title: Re: Small bearings in oil
Post by: CDNRatMan on April 26, 2018, 21:49:51 PM
 ;D told you if we put them in there it would drive him nuts....
Title: Re: Small bearings in oil
Post by: OR Seedman on April 27, 2018, 07:11:05 AM
Greenbarn...helpful as always...will take your advice....

Ratman.....ROFLMAO
Title: Re: Small bearings in oil
Post by: OR Seedman on April 27, 2018, 07:22:52 AM
Greenbarn...I went through every possible parts diagram of the VN1500 engine.....all the smaller bearings used in on the internal shafts are roller bearings....nothing that small uses round bearings....but I will still take your advice and take them to a tech and see what they say....

thanks,
Title: Re: Small bearings in oil
Post by: greenbarn on April 27, 2018, 08:40:13 AM
I have not had one apart.    But the 92045 bearings in this diagram look (to me) like ball bearings...    and I'm thinking would be just about the right size, unfortunately, for your mystery bearings.
https://www.kawasakipartshouse.com/oemparts/a/kaw/500b2698f8700223e47908c9/crankcase-r2-sim-r5
Title: Re: Small bearings in oil
Post by: Troll on April 27, 2018, 14:17:08 PM
That's a caged ball bearing, so there should be bits of that, too....As I remember, that was also a pretty large bearing with bigger than bb size elements...
Title: Re: Small bearings in oil
Post by: OR Seedman on April 27, 2018, 19:02:11 PM
yeah...I looked at all the internal bearings in the diagrams...none are that small....it's definitely a mystery
Title: Re: Small bearings in oil
Post by: greenbarn on April 27, 2018, 20:49:49 PM
I definitely think Ratman may have been messing with you.... DO you keep your bike locked all the time??? 8)
Title: Re: Small bearings in oil
Post by: Pilgrim on April 27, 2018, 21:00:18 PM
You may want to install a magnet on the bottom of your oilpan
Title: Re: Small bearings in oil
Post by: CDNRatMan on April 28, 2018, 01:53:53 AM
Are you still blaming me for the fire extinguisher? Now I get blamed for everything........
Title: Re: Small bearings in oil
Post by: greenbarn on April 28, 2018, 09:59:06 AM
Quote from: CDNRatMan on April 28, 2018, 01:53:53 AM
Are you still blaming me for the fire extinguisher? Now I get blamed for everything........
Yep, all things, LOL
Title: Re: Small bearings in oil
Post by: RockinRollin on April 28, 2018, 10:40:26 AM
Can't be muffler bearings, they're much bigger. :)
Title: Re: Small bearings in oil
Post by: Bucko on April 29, 2018, 23:50:00 PM
Quote from: RockinRollin on April 28, 2018, 10:40:26 AM
Can't be muffler bearings, they're much bigger. :)

And thy always have a middle hand thread.