Hitchcocks Forum

I have on removal of my Samrat alloy rockers noted some alloy type particals in the oil grooves , the filter seems ok but on draining saw small amounts of silver like particals when thinned with petrol ...is this the first sighting of a terminal floating bush big end...many of this message site readers say yes...very paranoid ..big bucks rebuild , is this the outcome of a 535cc high comp piston after 4,000 miles on a standard oil pump
?

Could be nothing as it turned out to be on mine but the risk is too great to ignore so I would suggest a strip down anyway. Sparkly oil is never a positive sign.

I think that particles are more likely to be aluminium alloy. I say this based on having seen a blocked rocker block which had very fine silvery slivers (like very fine small scrapings, which are very soft) which turned out to be big end white metal.
I, of course, bow to superior knowledge elsewhere on this forum, but this is my limited experience. I'm sure Norm can tell us more.

The 535 Lightning uses a different oil pump from the standard 500. So I'd prepare for the worst. The first thing I'd check is the skirt of the piston. It's quite possible that's where your metal came from. I'd expect some 'bedding in' deposits from your first 4000 miles. However, it really depends on how big these particles are.

Clean it all out change the oil and then watch it carefully. I am not a fan of stripping down for the sake of it, do it when you have to.

I am right with Dennis C on this. It would be worth checking the scavenge suction filter gauze [front underside of crankcase] for any debris, though - if there are lots of metal flakes, things may not be too good, if it is relatively clean, change the oil and keep her going. You could also remove the timing cover and check the condition of the oil pump gears. A couple of hours work tops and you may be back on the road with renewed confidence in your Bullet. Don't assume it is knackered just yet! Cheers, Paul.

Phil it had to come eventually, was only a matter of time but as stated keep an eye on it and it will let you know when it has had enough. Costs me about $8/900 to rebuild them providing the head is ok, about $500 for rod/roller, or $300 for roller and get it fitted to your conrod, $200 for piston,$100 for main bearings, maybe a rebore or hone all depends. About a day to pull the motor and strip it down and another day to get it all back together and running again

Well after reading all your thoughts on the subject I should add that the barrel was rebored after running with no air filter and some road shrapnel got in and damaged the bore ..so my piston has only done 1,000 miles and it was the first oil change after that and I checked the crankcase filter screwed plug and it was debris free .
I think what I should do is ride as normal get the engine to temp and re-tighten the head bolds as I have pulled my head off and on then clock 500 miles and pull the rockers off to see if they are clear and go from there .
I will pull my timing cover tommorow to check all is good , so much is new like high lift cams and ajustable spindles , new race type cam followers and new worm drive gear with bonded seal , lots of steel to bed in but the magnet catches that , many years ago when I first got the bike I thought the big end was going and it turned out it was the throttle side making all the noise .

If the big end 'aint knocking, keep the Samrats a rocking!

Here is another thought, did you grind the ally from the top of the timing cover oil seal when you fitted the high lift cams,with the Ace cams you have to actually expose the top of the seal to get clearance, if not that can be where metal is coming from