Metal shavings?

Hi, this is my first post. I bought a 2012 new from the dealer a few weeks ago and did my first chain cleaning today. What a mess! Anyway, I noticed metal shavings in the accumulated lube on the slider near the front sprocket. They are very sharp, gave me a splinter. Is this normal to have some shavings or does it sound like the chain & sprockets weren't aligned properly from the dealer? I haven't adjusted the chain since I bought the bike a few weeks ago. Thanks!

Drive chains on brand-new bikes tent to be adjusted to the point where there is not enough chain slack.
Don't blame anybody at the dealer because that's how the bike rolls out of it's shipping crate (and, frankly, most dealers intentionally put the newbies at the bottom of the dealership totem pole in that "entry level" position - prepping your new motorcycle for you).
Also, most riders, too, will be constantly adjusting their drive chains, all riding season long, always removing needed chain slack.

Get down low and point a flashlight up from beneath the swingarm pivot, just behind the front sprocket.
If the chain is way too tight, the chain will grind the forward edge of the chain slider away and continue gnawing through the swingarm, itself.
The more your rear suspension sags during this condition (lowered rear suspension, always carrying a large load of camping gear, etc.), the faster this will happen.

If this checks out OK, it's coming from somewhere else along the chain's path.

Hi, thanks for the reply. The chain was/is not too tight, and the slider shows no sign of wear. There is no visible damage to the swingarm either. I took off the chain guard, slider and the "chain guide" (bottom of chain near rear sprocket) and noticed no wear or damage anywhere. Also the sprockets seems to be wearing normally, but there's only about 250 miles on the bike.

The "shavings", almost look like tiny pieces of shredded wire brush. There is a better term than "shavings" but I can't think of it ATM.

The rear wheel is slightly off alignment (going by alignment marks), I will make an adjustment and keep an eye out for more "shavings".

Called the service dept. at the dealership and the guy I spoke to said it's nothing to worry about. I'm not very confident he knows what he's talking about, so if someone has other advice, plz chime in.

Does the chain show any wear marks and areas of bare steel in abnormal spots?

I'd remove the chain guide (thing sitting in front of the rear sprocket) to see if something has become wedged in there and gouging the chain.

How about a couple of well-lit pics?

Also get a small magnet and see if it cathes the savings so we know if its aluminum or steel....;-)

I did remove the chain guide and everything looked normal there as well. Good idea about the magnet, at this ponying I'm thinking it must be shavings from the sprocket. The chain looks normal.

Sar649 wrote:

The rear wheel is slightly off alignment (going by alignment marks), I will make an adjustment and keep an eye out for more "shavings".

This is your problem.

Straighten the wheel out and you'll be good to go.

With the rear sprocket out of alignment the chain grinds the sprocket and inside of the chain down.