Dark cloudy gear oil on k1100rs

[sooprvylyn]

Hi there, I recently rebuilt my k1100. I've put about 2000 miles on it, give or take, since reassembly and putting fluids in. I put in Fram 75w140 synthetic gear oil when i initially put fluids in on reassembly. I decided to change it today to replace the rusting drain plug w a stainless plug. When I did, the oil came out dark grayish green and cloudy, but does not have any burn smell or anything like that. When I drained it originally before the rebuild, the oil came out a dark honey color. Any ideas what may have caused the oil to darken and get cloudy in so few miles? One thing that may be pertinent is that I have run it pretty high Rev, so wondering if maybe I cooked the oil running to high in like 3rd gear.  Thanks

[sooprvylyn]

Had I not changed the oil, I wouldn't have known. The bike has been running just fine with no apparent mechanical issues.

[Duckbubbles]

You might consider that oil change a "flush".
I'd run it again for 1000 or so miles and drain again to see what comes out.  The seals could be breaking down and causing the discoloration.
In the past I have had to drain and refill a rear drive several times before the oil came out looking like when it went in.

Frank

[sooprvylyn]

Thanks man, was planning to do that. Also probably going to plan a weekend to just go in and replace all the seals on it too at some point in the next 2-3 months when it gets too hot to ride.

hey, you're in austin too. Going to the handbuilt show this weekend?  If so, my bikes in it.

[Chaos]

Did you put new bearings in the transmission?  The grease in them can dissolve and discolor the gear oil, no harm but disconcerting if you didn't know. 

[sooprvylyn]

Nope, havent actually serviced the gearbox yet.  I know the seals need replacing, but I had to get it together for the handbuilt show so I decided to put that off til it gets too hot to ride.  I have a feeling it might be a combination of 2 things. 1. It sat empty and open(fill and drain) for about a year while I was working on my bike, which maybe caused some drying out of the seals in there. 2. I painted it with black engine enamel and might have gotten a very small amount of the paint in the fill and drain holes.  I rode it down to the show yesterday to drop it off and it was fine.  I'll probably pull the gearbox and service it within the next month or 2 tho so I can be sure everything is hunky dory.  In the interim, i'll probably do a couple oil changes on it to see if it clears up after a flush.