Found these in my oil today.

Metal shavings
I could not see any gold flakes in the oil so I'm hoping it's not a bearing.
Bike has just over 61,000km's on the clock, I change the oil every 5-6k since buying it at 17k.
I was thinking it could be from the transmission side, like worn shift dogs?

 

It's hard to say what that is, but clearly, any metal in your oil is no bueno ...
Personally, if I found metal in my oil, I would be worried, firstly regarding the source of those particles, and their size, and secondly, regarding what damage could have been done to the engine.

Opinions will vary on this, but if it were me, I would drain the oil, replace the oil filter, and put in some cheap oil, with 1 quart of it being a "motor flush" solvent, and follow the instructions regarding how long to run it. I would then drain it, and probably remove the oil pan, and clean it, and the pick-up screen connected to the oil pump, to make dead sure there aren't any visible particles still there - again with new filter and good oil, and hope for the best.

If the motor has been running well, and you haven't heard any "knocking" typically associated with an critical engine component being, cracked, loose, out of tolerance, etc., I would probably assume gearbox as well, as mis-shifts/poor engagement resulting in that "grinding gears" sound, seems that it could be a likely explanation.

I hope you get this worked out! It's possible that you could change your oil, with or without any further "flushing" or "cleaning", and maybe never know of any trouble for the remainder of the bike's life - you never know!

Just out of curiosity, are the particles aluminum or steel?

 

screw the metal shavings, I'd really be concerned with how the cigarette lighter got in there!!!

Ok- all kidding aside, JNSR's got you pointed in the right direction.

 

Junky, when you're a smoker, you need a lighter on your front porch, under the gazebo, in your cars, your favorite jacket pocket, and dang it, you need one handy when you're tearing into the engine as well!!

 

good one.
But yeah looks to be aluminum, couldn't pick it up with a magnet.

Will I need a new gasket if I drop the pan?

 

 

Yes, but it's only $8 from Honda.

 

Aluminum may be a good thing,or better anyway.All your gears and valve train are steel.It LOOKS like a dowel pin,but I would have guessed those are steel and how it got there who knows.The only aluminum that comes to mind are the cases themselves,and if thats what it is I would be wondering what caused it.
Hopefully you'll see something with the pan off.Or hopefully you won't.