Yamaha TW225 Ran with very low oil

[Henry2202]

So, I have learnt a very valuable lesson, NEVER assume. I bought this yammy tw225 about 2-3 months ago. It has a looking window for the oil, i checked it frequently, all looked fine.

My bike started making a tapping noise a week ago, so i checked the valve lash and adjusted to spec (only inlet was out slightly) Started it up, but still tapping. When i adjusted the lash i noticed the oil was black, but when i looked in the oil window it looked like golden oil, that's when i realised it had hardly any oil and the metal behind the window was stained golden.

When it started tapping i had to still ride it to work for 3 days, a total of 100miles. It cut out at one point but fired straight back up.

Anyway i changed the oil today, well what was left of it, 150ml of black oil came out. The bike should have 1 litre. Fired it up and it sounds much better but not as it was prior to all this, there is a slight tapping but barely noticable.

I am very paranoid now I've damaged the engine. The bike feels the same as when i bought it, still pulls fine, just a slight tapping noise, I'm going to re-check the valve lash tomorrow to make sure it's correct.

But I'm guessing there's a high chance i've damaged something and wold appreciate opinions on this, Please don't bash me for being an idiot, i already know that and am kicking myself, cheers.

[MCN]

Well as you said Hell will Mend You.

Low oil can cause over heating.
Loss of lubricant properties mean the oil doesn't protect the parts it is supposed to.
And other dreadful stuff.

But... If you didn't hammer it whilst it was low and you didn't do a 1000 miles then all you can do is hope you didn't fcuk something.

You can easily tell if there is jewellery (expensive shiny metal) in the filter/screen.
Also, fecked engine oil that's been roasted stinks like a bonfire and you can't get the stench off your hands for about a year.
Drop the oil filter/screen and check for bright metal. Bearings etc. lose bits when friction heats them up and the screen/filter should catch them to prevent them compounding injury.

Go to your local chapel and light several candles to St Mary.

If there is no indication of failure in the screen/filter then chalk it up and don't let it happen again/(let on it happened) or you'll be run off the forum.
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[Henry2202]

Haha thanks for the reply and sorry for late reply.
I don't thrash the bike just cruise. There was no metal in the drain plug filter or oil filter or oil when i emptied it, it was black but didn't smell burnt.
The bike now makes a rattle/ticking noise mainly when cold but it is just noticable when riding. Hopefully it doesn't get worse but any ideas what it could be? I can't locate the noise easily. cheers

[bladerunner]

If it's suffered oil starvation the first thing to go usually is the cam bearings which ate usually just sat in the aly of the head. If that's scored it'll usually get worse quickly and makes setting the valve clearence a bit of a waste of time as the can itself will start to move about.. see how you get on tho as now your aware of the low oil it was running you may have become a little more paranoid about any noises that do come from the engine.
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Current bikes...cbr929, KDX200's, Rd125lc mk2, RGV250's