M8 owners please read.

Doris · Nov 25, 2021

Gents,

The saga of Flipfly’s gearbox issue is resolved. HD are well aware of the issue and have a (unbelievable) “fix”. More of that shortly.

Firstly, this is in no way aimed at Phil. I bought the bike expecting and prepared for the worst. I am more than happy with our deal. Fortunately, fixing this will cost me a wee bit less than some folks, so it’s all good here. Ok? :thumb2

We were going to just “flip” the bike, but I’ve become quite attached to it, so I shall be keeping it for a while to play with.

When we drained the oils, there was clear evidence of carry over from the gearbox to the primary. Witnessed by the volume in the primary being proportionately more than the norm, by the same amount the gearbox was short. The physical fix involves a full strip down and a “bung”.

Unfortunately the low level of oil at sometime in its life has lunched the components that sit high in the gearbox. We will be renewing every bearing alongside any damaged components.

None of this seems to be a concern to Harley. Their “fix”? Owners are advised to check the levels every day!! They also advise that, if an owner is incapable or unwilling to do so, any dealer will do this for free!! I shit you not.

Not all will do this, I suppose that’s why Harley don’t want to go to the expense of offering the real (expensive) fix to everyone. So folks, keep a real close eye on your levels, and if you spot the problem, hot foot to your dealer and make a fuss……Cheers, Doris

JohnnyBoxer · Nov 25, 2021

The ‘fix’ sounds like a sticking plaster, no doubt at the customers toil

Doris · Nov 25, 2021

JohnnyBoxer said:
…..no doubt at the customers toil

Is that even English?

dean0n0 · Nov 25, 2021

What's to be done if checking, finds the primary high and the box low? Are they saying you have to drain one and top up the other, ad nauseum? (is that english?)

Toddmeister · Nov 25, 2021

Doris said:
Gents,

The saga of Flipfly’s gearbox issue is resolved. HD are well aware of the issue and have a (unbelievable) “fix”. More of that shortly.

Firstly, this is in no way aimed at Phil. I bought the bike expecting and prepared for the worst. I am more than happy with our deal. Fortunately, fixing this will cost me a wee bit less than some folks, so it’s all good here. Ok?

We were going to just “flip” the bike, but I’ve become quite attached to it, so I shall be keeping it for a while to play with.

When we drained the oils, there was clear evidence of carry over from the gearbox to the primary. Witnessed by the volume in the primary being proportionately more than the norm, by the same amount the gearbox was short. The physical fix involves a full strip down and a “bung”.

Unfortunately the low level of oil at sometime in its life has lunched the components that sit high in the gearbox. We will be renewing every bearing alongside any damaged components.

None of this seems to be a concern to Harley. Their “fix”? Owners are advised to check the levels every day!! They also advise that, if an owner is incapable or unwilling to do so, any dealer will do this for free!! I shit you not.

Not all will do this, I suppose that’s why Harley don’t want to go to the expense of offering the real (expensive) fix to everyone. So folks, keep a real close eye on your levels, and if you spot the problem, hot foot to your dealer and make a fuss……Cheers, Doris

Thanks Doris, forewarned is forearmed as they say!

I must admit I haven’t really checked the levels that much since I bought mine, but I will be from now on.

It’s also comforting to know that there is a really simple way of spotting things are awry before anything goes wrong, after all it’s a 2 minute job to check the gearbox oil on these bikes so even a muppet like me can manage it!

Cheers for sharing the info and hope you enjoy riding the bike - I’m just waiting for you to tell me it’s not as good as a standard Road King

Doris · Nov 25, 2021

dean0n0 said:
What's to be done if checking, finds the primary high and the box low? Are they saying you have to drain one and top up the other, ad nauseum? (is that english?)

No…congratulations, you’re one of the lucky winners……now talk to Harley to get it fixed….

Toddmeister · Nov 25, 2021

dean0n0 said:
What's to be done if checking, finds the primary high and the box low? Are they saying you have to drain one and top up the other, ad nauseum? (is that english?)

I’d certainly be topping up the gearbox and then riding straight to the Dealer for a chat!

Doris · Nov 25, 2021

Toddmeister said:
……. - I’m just waiting for you to tell me it’s not as good as a standard Road King

It’s not…..but it can be made “reasonable”……

Toddmeister · Nov 25, 2021

Doris said:
It’s not…..but it can be made “reasonable”……

You’re mellowing with age……

……and I hope you’ve kept the Duck

Doris · Nov 25, 2021

Toddmeister said:
You’re mellowing with age……

……and I hope you’ve kept the Duck

Phil kept the Duck……

brut33 · Nov 25, 2021

This makes the cam chain tensioner issue on 1999 to 2005/6 bikes sound a piece o' piss. I love my 88cu. :kissy2

JohnnyBoxer · Nov 25, 2021

Doris said:
Is that even English?

Asking them to check the oil daily

dean0n0 · Nov 25, 2021

Doris said:
No…congratulations, you’re one of the lucky winners……now talk to Harley to get it fixed….

Harley roulette, with some already losing.

Doris · Nov 25, 2021

brut33 said:
This makes the cam chain tensioner issue on 1999 to 2005/6 bikes sound a piece o' piss. I love my 88cu.

Same old, same old…… both reasonably easy fixes….

Big Si · Nov 25, 2021

Doris said:
Gents,

The saga of Flipfly’s gearbox issue is resolved. HD are well aware of the issue and have a (unbelievable) “fix”. More of that shortly.

Firstly, this is in no way aimed at Phil. I bought the bike expecting and prepared for the worst. I am more than happy with our deal. Fortunately, fixing this will cost me a wee bit less than some folks, so it’s all good here. Ok?

We were going to just “flip” the bike, but I’ve become quite attached to it, so I shall be keeping it for a while to play with.

When we drained the oils, there was clear evidence of carry over from the gearbox to the primary. Witnessed by the volume in the primary being proportionately more than the norm, by the same amount the gearbox was short. The physical fix involves a full strip down and a “bung”.

Unfortunately the low level of oil at sometime in its life has lunched the components that sit high in the gearbox. We will be renewing every bearing alongside any damaged components.

None of this seems to be a concern to Harley. Their “fix”? Owners are advised to check the levels every day!! They also advise that, if an owner is incapable or unwilling to do so, any dealer will do this for free!! I shit you not.

Not all will do this, I suppose that’s why Harley don’t want to go to the expense of offering the real (expensive) fix to everyone. So folks, keep a real close eye on your levels, and if you spot the problem, hot foot to your dealer and make a fuss……Cheers, Doris

Thanks for the 'heads up' as they say. Mine arrives a week today so it'll be the first thing I look at. I did ask the dealer I bought it from (Honda) if the fix had been done but the salesman (ex Harley dealer principle) said that dealers aren't doing it unless a) they are requested to, or b) if the oil transfer is noticed and is causing a problem. Therefore mine hasn't been done. :blast

Personally, I think this attitude feckin' stinks.

Is the fix you are talking about the drilling of the inside of the primary case and the insertion therein of a vent? :nenau

Also Jon, is this the same as or related to the sumping issue?

boxer · Nov 25, 2021

Numerous uTube vids on M8 sumping if you want to worry more.

Big Si · Nov 25, 2021

boxer said:
Numerous uTube vids on M8 sumping if you want to worry more.

Yes I know. I had an M8 softail a little while ago, but they didn't seem to be affected.

Doris · Nov 25, 2021

Big Si said:
Thanks for the 'heads up' as they say. Mine arrives a week today so it'll be the first thing I look at. I did ask the dealer I bought it from (Honda) if the fix had been done but the salesman (ex Harley dealer principle) said that dealers aren't doing it unless a) they are requested to, or b) if the oil transfer is noticed and is causing a problem. Therefore mine hasn't been done. Personally, I think this attitude feckin' stinks.

Is the fix you are talking about the drilling of the inside of the primary case and the insertion therein of a vent?

Also Jon, is this the same as or related to the sumping issue?

Yes, that’s the fix….however…..there is another suggested method…I don’t know how good it is, but empirical evidence suggests it works and it’s piss easy. Slumping is different. That’s flooding the crankcase with oil/inefficient scavenging. This is an oil pump/pump housing issue. Flip’s old motor will be modified as part of the build……

Big Si · Nov 25, 2021

Doris said:
Yes, that’s the fix….however…..there is another suggested method…I don’t know how good it is, but empirical evidence suggests it works and it’s piss easy. Slumping is different. That’s flooding the crankcase with oil/inefficient scavenging. This is an oil pump/pump housing issue. Flip’s old motor will be modified as part of the build……

Cheers, I've sent you a text.

Ogmios · Nov 25, 2021

Doris said:
Is that even English?

It's odd English. :pullface

M8 owners please read.

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Like Newton - only stupid

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