[450-X]

I've been changing the oil in my '05 450X very regular - about after each ride/race of about 3 or 4 hours. The engine oil comes out very clean each time. I change the oil filter every other time. The clutch side oil looks much darker. Is this normal? Are the rest of you seeing this too?

And, from the dumb question category...does the clutch side oil also oil the transmission gears, or is that done by the left "engine" oil?

Thanks for your help.

By the way - those of you who previously suggested the Napalm air filter screw were right on the money. That fixed my problem with getting the stock air screw/wing nut started after a filter change.

[crazybrother]

And, from the dumb question category...does the clutch side oil also oil the transmission gears, or is that done by the left "engine" oil?

Yeah, the Transmission side & clutch are both in the same oil bath.

[04 crf450]

ya it's usual for the tranny side to be much more dirty, its from the clutch plates

[Smash]

The more you abuse your clutch the worse it will be. Heat and clutch particles take their toll compared to the engine side. You also have a filter on the engine side to clean it up as opposed to the tranny/clutch side.