250-500cc Metal on drain plug

Just drained the gear oil on my '96 wxc I just got and the plug had more metal than any other bike I ever owned. Metal was super thin shavings about a 1/4" long. May have been smaller pieces stuck together because they came apart when I rubbed them together. There was one solid piece about 3/8" long about the size of an eversharp pencil lead. Oil was filthy and thick so it had been in there a long time. Does this seem unusual or normal? Bike shifts great.

could be like that from being such old fluid...i would fill with atf type f as it cleans really well and run 15 min then drain and fill fluid of your choice.

ya thats what I did, drained it, flushed it, added atf, gonna ride it this weekend then redrain and fill. I have always used Bel Ray gearsaver, I guess thats ok, never had any issues. Love the sight glass like my Jap bikes!!!

is the plug one of those magnetic ones? I don't ever have metal shavings on mine but I saw this ebay one and the pics showed how many particles which would normally be sat in the engine were clinging to the plug upon removal, could be it has one of those in?

yes it is magnetic!

i thought all dirt bikes had magnetic plugs? gaz, maybe someone swapped yours out? any two stroke is going to have some metal on its plug when you change oil, might be a good idea to fit one if yours isnt magnetic!

as far as I know mine is standard non magnetic but it's more of an on road bike with off road capabilities, not a straight dirt only bike, I have got a magnetic plug to fit but it's chinese, I don't know if I trust it to hold in! I'll use it if mine ever strips off. That sounds funny

I'd put it on there. I don't know how much it helps, but I feel funny running without some kind of magnet in the oil. The magnet should stay in place, and so will the plug, if you use a fresh crush washer. Just torque to spec.

i put magnetic drain plugs on any car or truck ive had altho they dont get much being they have filters. but they get a little. same with street bike. any transmission ive worked on has a magnet in the pan (auto) or on the plug (manual)