Norge final drive question: Gear oil, she no looka so good.

[fanattic]

Has anyone experienced this?:
I'm doing the 10k service on my 2013 Norge (6880 Miles). Final drive gear oil was very black. Some metal slivers on drain plug magnet, but not excessive. Gear oil in pan looked a bit silvery when I stirred it, but felt ok (not gritty) between my fingers. When I emptied the drain pan, I found some more tiny bits of metal like what was on the magnet. A couple of them felt gritty as opposed to thin slivers that you can see but are hard to feel. The transmission fluid on the other hand was very clear and looked a lot different than the final drive oil. Initial service was done by the dealer. Bike has been garage kept, has only been in the rain once. Most of my riding has been 100+ miles per ride.
So am I paranoid, or is this normal?
Thanks for any advice!

[guzzisteve]

Not normal, I would call dealer and see if they put some Moly in it when they did the service.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Not normal, I would call dealer and see if they put some Moly in it when they did the service.

Yeah, the dark color was probably just from a moly additive. If that's what you are worrying about, not to worry.

[canuguzzi]

No chunks right? Shifts right and rear end doesn't smoke right? No howling from the rear end right? No strange vibes right?

No worry.

Since you will anyway, do what I do, take two samples, put them in little bottles. Next time you're at the dealer, show it to them. Keep the other sample, proof of what you showed them. If they want to check further, let em.

[fanattic]

Chunks? No, but it was the couple of bits that did feel like tiny grains of sand that made start worrying. Of course it's possible that those bits ended up in the pan while it was sitting. I drained the final drive last evening, but didn't empty the pan until this afternoon.
 It's been running fine, not howling or smoking and no vibrations, so hopefully it's moly that gave it the color, and what metal was there is normal wear.
 

[bobbyfromnc]

I use Red Line Heavy Duty gear oil with Shock Proof in both trans and final. trans quieted down as well as final.

[fanattic]

Thanks for the comments folks. I'm going to run it for a while with new gear oil and no Moly additive, then check it out. One more question though. Is there a good reason to add the Moly?

[canuguzzi]

Red line.

[ITSec]

Thanks for the comments folks. I'm going to run it for a while with new gear oil and no Moly additive, then check it out. One more question though. Is there a good reason to add the Moly?

That's a typical oil thread question 

Some swear by it, some swear at it, and some (like me) just point to the specs published for the bike and ask where it mentions a need for it. I'll leave others to say why they think it's helpful, and point to my Norge (now at 100K miles) that has never had it. For the record, I use Mobil1 75W90 full synthetic oil in the gearbox and final drive. I did get a few flakes on the magnet during the first 10-20,000, but haven't seen any since. Final drive bearing and seal replaced at about 78,000 - bearing could have kept going, but since I had it all apart to do the seal, it made sense to spend the extra $90 for the bearing.

[blackbuell]

I'm at 49K miles on my '09 Norge and have only been using Mobile 1 75W90 full synthetic gear oil in tranny and final drive, too. Never have added Moly. So far, no problem.

Jon

[ohiorider]

Another testimonial for the Guzzi final drive. 

Just turned 62,000 miles (1200 Sport) yesterday, and all seems to be well with the final drive, aside from the fact that it tends to blow enough oily vapor to cause the CARC swingarm to get covered with grunge.  However, no dripping of 80/90 Agip onto the garage floor.  Probably need to check the seals before serious riding next season.  Tranny also seems to be doing well on a diet of 85/90 Agip.

Haven't paid close attention to the magnetic plug metallic content.  Seems to me all my previous Beemers had some spooge stuck to the magnet at every hypoid gear lube change.  I recall seeing a bit on the Guzzi plugs too.

[Bonafide Bob]

I use Red Line Heavy Duty gear oil with Shock Proof in both trans and final. trans quieted down as well as final.

  Ditto

[canuguzzi]

That's a typical oil thread question 

Some swear by it, some swear at it, and some (like me) just point to the specs published for the bike and ask where it mentions a need for it. I'll leave others to say why they think it's helpful, and point to my Norge (now at 100K miles) that has never had it. For the record, I use Mobil1 75W90 full synthetic oil in the gearbox and final drive. I did get a few flakes on the magnet during the first 10-20,000, but haven't seen any since. Final drive bearing and seal replaced at about 78,000 - bearing could have kept going, but since I had it all apart to do the seal, it made sense to spend the extra $90 for the bearing.

 

When someone claims additives do something and claim their bike went xx miles, ask them how they know the additives had anything to do with it. Additives do something 100% of the time, they cost you money.