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Flakes are never normal. Any chance you saved the oil and can get it analyzed to see what is in it?
Valves are good. Will start by dropping the pan and covers to see what I can see.Also have you checked valve clearances? Cam lobes could be wearing. Also pulling the valve covers might give you more insight into the metal flakes.
I kind feel go another 2k then check also. My 78 with well over 100k showed metal in filter none magnetic first change then nothing , after rod bearings. How would the timing chain get sloppy in 10k ? The steel particles have me a little worried.Not too long ago, there was a video on the web from one of the motorcycle bloggers where they had people send in their oil and I believe filters from their bikes first oil changes, or the break in changes. The article was from the UK and covered all known brands of bikes here in the US as well as some lesser known brands.
The results were pretty amazing in how much "junk" was found in the oil on some of the cheaper brands of bikes and to a lesser degree the better built bikes.
Reasons given for some of the stuff in the break in oil were contamination of the assembly line to parts wear in.
Before I would begin tearing things apart in a panic, I would do another oil change in the 2K range and see what you find. Of course, if a noise or something weird starts happening before that 2K, the bets are off and then I would do a tear down.
If you had 100K or more miles on the bike, I would worry a bit, even. then, there still may not be reason to worry to a tear down point. My RT went over 100K before the nikasail cylinders needed rebuilt then anther 100K, I have replaced two timing chains and both times I needed them, It was pretty obvious they needed to be done.
At 240K miles plus, I am still running the original crank. cam, lifters, and push rods. Until they start making a lot of racket or show major metal in the filters or oil, they are not going to come out of the engine.
A long note and my opinion, a few flakes just wouldn't bother me. Good luck, St.
Here is a YouTube video that looks at oil from various manufacturers' new bikes. The results were interesting -
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This becomes a perfect application for a good Dimple magnetic engine oil drain plug.
Snarky comment Alert;
A magnet works on everything from a single cylinder to a V what ever. Except for Aluminum shavings. Those show up in the filter. So check your magnet and your filter at least once a day after checking your tire pressure and final drive level.
I'm sorry I can't help myself.
Professionals have tried.