M8 questions

[Johnnyboy113]

Recently bought the 19TG.
I'm sure these issues have been discussed in detail.
Been reading, looking on-line and am wondering about vented dipsticks, vented trans top plates, oil starvation, New oil pumps, catch cans, compensator issues and so forth...and haven't read a lot of positive.
Should I have bought a goldwing trike? Heck no just kidding. But seriously..dam...did I just buy a time bomb or are all these folks marketing geniuses?

 

[Gorilla]

Bob these are all POSSIBLE problems with that year. Operative word possible. They were a minor in number not the whole production run. If you are using engine oil in under 3000 or 4000 miles then you MIGHT have a venting problem and need to have a Harley Dealer address it. Vented trans plates, oil pumps might be an issue, IF YOU HAVE an issue.

Compensators have been an issue for many years. If you change to a syntenic gear lube in the primary it will decrease the issue.

Catch Cans are strictly something that helps to keep the top of the combustion chamber cleaner. Most people don't even worry about that. Does it help yes but is it necessary not likely.
I ran it just to insure not to have carbon build up.

Bottom line if the bike is running good don't worry about it. If you don't have oil use issues don't worry about it. Change to syntenic gear next oil change and then don't worry about it.

Enjoy your ride.

 

[ISP-FL]

I totally agree with Ted.

I had several twin cams prior to getting my first M8. They were pretty much bullet proof. After I bought my 19 Trike new it was about 10 months and I had to have the mitigation kit done. To be honest I couldn't tell that I needed it but the dealer wanted to do it.

A few months after that I had a traction control recall service completed.

The last big warranty issue was a new reverse motor at 30,000+ miles. However, the newer stronger reverse motors are supposed to last longer.

I feel like the M8 motors are pretty reliable overall. I do maintain an extended warranty. I justify that cost by doing my own oil changes and some other minor service. I figure every year I save at least $300 to go against the $800 or more each year for the warranty.

 

[Old Road Dog]

Recently bought the 19TG.
I'm sure these issues have been discussed in detail.
Been reading, looking on-line and am wondering about vented dipsticks, vented trans top plates, oil starvation, New oil pumps, catch cans, compensator issues and so forth...and haven't read a lot of positive.
Should I have bought a goldwing trike? Heck no just kidding. But seriously..dam...did I just buy a time bomb or are all these folks marketing geniuses?

I'm not sure at what serial number the upgraded oil pump was installed..heck the MOCO may not know exactly but it was 2019 I think. Now my motor is a 2018 built late 2017...no problems. But for peace of mind I went ahead and did a Stage II using the Screaming Chicken Super Sucker oil pump amd cam plate, 447 Torque cam( stock valve springs ok)and SE adjustable pushrods. New cam inner bearing and Hylift Johnson Direct Oiling- Direct Shot lifters (B-2313SE)from Larry's Motorcycle and Machine and S&S lifter keeper thingys.

I won't get into a debate as to why I used SE products instead of S&S or Feuling both quality products which I love. Let's just say the SE products accommodate the MOCOs crummy up to 12 thousands runout better,and I got the SE stuff NOS brand new from a deceased friends ol' lady($150 for the lot)This was a fun and easy job...the hardest part was getting the mother$%%&& exhaust out of the way. Yes a tuner is required. There's only a few special tools needed and if anyone wants the sources let me know and I'll find the paperwork..today tomorrow by end of summer.As far as marketing: two things always sell...SEX AND FEAR.

 

[Johnnyboy113]

Thanks for the insights. Currently mine runs great and no apparent issues. If sumping were an issue..what would I expect to see or feel?
Thanks again.

 

[Old Road Dog]

Thanks for the insights. Currently mine runs great and no apparent issues. If sumping were an issue..what would I expect to see or feel?
Thanks again.

I hate the term "sumping" but everybody uses it.. it's really lack of oil circulation where oil builds up in the cam chest, cam position sensor compartment etc. The oil pump just can't move the oil properly. Your motor will dog out,have no power and your motor can overheat..among other things. Not all motors will do this it's just the hysterical internet spread this uncommon symptom to the four corners of the universe.

 

[leonard]

I have a 2019 bought in 2018. I had the tube put in the primary and a new oil pump upgrade just for piece of mind, I had about 10 to 12 ounces of oil in the sump, so I did the oil pump. That was two years ago. It is running fine. I also put the new harley trans cover on it. I did put a new compensator on it this winter it was making a little noise, and I had nothing to do over the winter so I put it on.

 

[Old Road Dog]

So I'm taking a coffee break from stringing claymores in the concertina wire here at my hilltop fire support base. Anyone that owns a trike at this stage in life should have most of the hand tools to do a stage II. Here are some of the specialized tools one should consider: Feuling M8 Crankshaft Runnout Measuring tool,$110.00+-.( Darkhorse also sells a nice one) S&S Tappet Cuffs for M8,$70.00÷-.HD 25566-06 Cam Drive Sprocket Retention kit $10-15 bucks. Cam sprocket locking tool,$12.00+-.M8 inner camshaft bearing remover/installer, Whoya Products,made in USA, $72.99.Feuling Magnetic
lifter holders, $30.00 +-. Nice to have but not critical, Jim's M8 oil pump alignment tool, $95.00 +-. Koyo Torrington B- 168 needle roller bearing,$25.00+-. Now this one is a must in my opinion, Feuling Crankshaft Cam Drive Sprocket,17T- 1091. $60.00+-. To replace the sloppy oem sprocket because your already in there and why not? Also nice to have ( beats holes punched in cardboard)is Jim's Camshaft Hardware Organizer, $105.00+-. Now just add your choice of Cam,CamPlate,Oil Pump, lifters, and pushrods and service gaskets and get to work!

 

[Dan SC]

Recently bought the 19TG.

...and haven't read a lot of positive.
Should I have bought a goldwing trike? Heck no just kidding. But seriously..dam...did I just buy a time bomb or are all these folks marketing geniuses?

Stop, take a deep breath.

Haven`t read a lot of positive? This forum is full of postings by Tri Glide owners who are happy with their machine.

Every machine made has problems, the M8 had some issues but they have been ironed out.

Sumping is a condition when the scavenge element of the oil pump does not scavenge the oil from the crankcase, which can be a serious issue.

A small number of engines were affected by this issue.

The sumping issue was corrected by the latest design oil pump, the new pump has been used on all M8`s with build date of May 22, 2019 and later.

Look on the frame of your machine and find the build date.

The M8 engine is an excellent powerplant, stop worrying about it.