New fix for oil transfer

[Mykneesbehurtin]

There is a bike shop called Macomb County Choppers that claim they have a fix for the issue,its a larger dia clutch push rod,now don't shoot the messenger i'm just relaying info.Its $49.50 plus $17.50 shipping.If this would work i would spend the money.My sons buddies 17 is doing the same thing so I may let him buy one first lol and see if it works.

 

[MDO]

There is a bike shop called Macomb County Choppers that claim they have a fix for the issue,its a larger dia clutch push rod,now don't shoot the messenger i'm just relaying info.Its $49.50 plus $17.50 shipping.If this would work i would spend the money.My sons buddies 17 is doing the same thing so I may let him buy one first lol and see if it works.

Why would we shoot the messanger? Do you have any information for people needing a fix, a link or contact information? Do they include installation instructions & is there any core charge?

 

[Jack Klarich]

On another forum some guys in Germany stumbled onto this fix, but after more miles it too is an epic failure

What HD fails to understand IMO is the flawed design of the trapdoor and bearings on the hydraulic clutched models

The fluid is trapped there between the bearings and the actuator. The fluid has 1 path and it aint back to the bottom of the tranny. These are my observations, I hope I am wrong.

This may also be why the cable pulled clutches do not migrate tranny fluid JMO

 

[MDO]

On another forum some guys in Germany stumbled onto this fix, but after more miles it too is an epic failure

What HD fails to understand IMO is the flawed design of the trapdoor and bearings on the hydraulic clutched models

The fluid is trapped there between the bearings and the actuator. The fluid has 1 path and it aint back to the bottom of the tranny. These are my observations, I hope I am wrong.

This may also be why the cable pulled clutches do not migrate tranny fluid JMO

I still can't wrap my head around why are only some doing it? It just seems to me if it's a mechanical design flaw, it would be more widespread. The only thing I can speculate is that it has to do with how you rev it/shift it. I know what the service bulletin said, but has anyone heard of any non M8 owners with the problem?

 

[Jack Klarich]

Michael and Fuzzy,

I wish we had hard numbers to this problem. I bet the MOCO does not have them either so this could be why some dealers do not have any reported cases?

Another thing I have thought about is how many people actually check their fluids let alone change their own fluids. This could be part of the answer IMO

One more thing to consider is the riding habits( IE )miles ridden and @ what RPM?

I dunno but if this continues to be a problem it could hurt sales and HD reputation JMO

There are a lot of variables to this problem that I can see right now, I am glad to report I do not have this problem with my M8 Freewheeler

 

[rhino 2]

YES.......I have 'Make that Had a 2017 Tri-Glide......5 Times back to the dealer to drain the primary, and re fill the transmission....At 8 hundred miles each time...And once they even used Harleys fix....And that didn't work....Thats why i dumped the Tri-Glide....Talking direct to Harley....I couldn't believe the line of Bullsh*t they were handing Me and my Dealer..

And just for your information I had a business and over 35 years i dealt with at least 20 customers a day, And most of them would make up a story to me as to why they needed a job done ''Right Now'', So i learned to read facial expressions.....And when Maxwell says its very minor, I can tell you He doesn't believe it himself....He's just flowing the company line...

P/S My dealer has at least 5 other M8's transferring Fluid...

 

[1dn5up]

I read some ware (CRS) that the issue was with the hudrolic clutch models ? The cable models had no issues.

Thought all m8’s had hydro clutches :Shrug:

 

[Jack Klarich]

I read some ware (CRS) that the issue was with the hudrolic clutch models ? The cable models had no issues.

Thought all m8’s had hydro clutches :Shrug:

Just the touring and trike models

 

[midiwiz]

yet my mechanic claims that if the fluid level is too high this will happen, since some shops overfill. He has yet to see any of this, he has seen the sumping but not this.

 

[Jack Klarich]

yet my mechanic claims that if the fluid level is too high this will happen, since some shops overfill. He has yet to see any of this, he has seen the sumping but not this.

Never saw this one yet, typical for HD tranny over full would push fluid out the vent hose on top of tranny

 

[Mykneesbehurtin]

My 17 had a 2 oz loss in 800 miles so the shop put dye in the trans and topped it back off and was told to ride another 5000 miles keeping an eye on the level and if it gets to low bring it back in and they will check the primary oil for dye.So at this point thats all i can do.Google Macomb County Choppers or look them up on Facebook.

 

[Mykneesbehurtin]

Why would we shoot the messanger? Do you have any information for people needing a fix, a link or contact information? Do they include installation instructions & is there any core charge?

According to their facebook page no core and they have a video that shows the removal.Seems very simple and straight forward.Remove derby cover remove snap ring holding the center hat in the clutch basket,remove old pushrod install new then just a reverse assembly of the hat,snap ring and derby cover.As far as dont shoot the messenger on some sites there are always folks who want to blast ya about how the heck could that be causing the transfer.Guess im just gun shy.

 

[Jack Klarich]

According to their facebook page no core and they have a video that shows the removal.Seems very simple and straight forward.Remove derby cover remove snap ring holding the center hat in the clutch basket,remove old pushrod install new then just a reverse assembly of the hat,snap ring and derby cover.As far as dont shoot the messenger on some sites there are always folks who want to blast ya about how the heck could that be causing the transfer.Guess im just gun shy.

I have read some are having a bit of luck with this fix

Baker ( an after market leader in clutch and trannys) is about to market a side door that will cure the transfer stay tuned Their R and D department has concluded what I posted earlier, the fluid is getting trapped in the side door @ the actuator. The fluid cannot make its way back down to the bottom of the tranny fast enough so it slides down the pushrod. IMO once the fluid in the tranny case gets to a certain level the gears cannot pick up enough lube so it slows down the transfer. I do not know how low that is nor do I want to find out. I wonder if The MOCO has changed the side door and acuator on the new models?

 

[Mykneesbehurtin]

I would hope so Jack,but we all know if they did they wont let anyone know it will take someone like Baker to find out,or i am going to the shop today so i will find out if the part numbers are the same for the trap door for the 17 and 18 and 19.

 

[Mykneesbehurtin]

The part number for the 17-18 and 19 are all the same,so either they havent fixed the issue or they have something else they have done.

 

[Jack Klarich]

The part number for the 17-18 and 19 are all the same,so either they havent fixed the issue or they have something else they have done.

There is supposed to be a new part number for the clutch acuator

This could be big news if it is confirmed

I am waiting for Baker Tech support to get back to me on their new trapdoor

If they don't have a true fix it may never happen

It still bothers me that some transfer and others do not

I just checked mine, my level has NOT changed since my last fluid change, it has not transferred any fluid in over 17k miles Fingers crossed that it never does

 

[Freewheeling Ron]

Since the tech bulletin on this goes back to 2014 and includes twin cam engines, are the twin cam side doors of the same design and have the same part number as the one on the M8? I checked the gear oil on my 2015 FW and it is at the top of the line. I don't seem to have an issue with 4k miles on trike.

 

[PosseRider]

No problems on my 16 Tri with 30,000 miles. knock on wood

 

[Jack Klarich]

Since the tech bulletin on this goes back to 2014 and includes twin cam engines, are the twin cam side doors of the same design and have the same part number as the one on the M8? I checked the gear oil on my 2015 FW and it is at the top of the line. I don't seem to have an issue with 4k miles on trike.

If your Freewheeler has a cable clutch they for the most part are not having problems

The Bearing doors on hydraulic models are different

 

[Mykneesbehurtin]

There is supposed to be a new part number for the clutch acuator

This could be big news if it is confirmed

I am waiting for Baker Tech support to get back to me on their new trapdoor

If they don't have a true fix it may never happen

It still bothers me that some transfer and others do not

I just checked mine, my level has NOT changed since my last fluid change, it has not transferred any fluid in over 17k miles Fingers crossed that it never does

Changing the trap door is not a simple process from what im seeing,unless you can remove the trap door without removing the gear set.

 

[Jack Klarich]

Changing the trap door is not a simple process from what im seeing,unless you can remove the trap door without removing the gear set.

Yup, it can be done with special door puller set

 

[Trampas]

If I was harley I would get rid of the hydraulic clutch and go back to the old way, my 2016 triglide had the hydraulic and I didn't think it was any easier pulling in than my 2002 road king or my 1997 softail, seems like the ones having trouble are the hydraulic one's and not all of them are doing it, that is why no recall, basically I think they need a recall on this, harley is playing dumb on this and don't want to admit they screwed up their design, this is my take on it, not to sure how many harley's they are selling because of this, dealers seem to have quite a few in inventory and the 2019's are coming out. The word gets out about this and most people will think twice about a harley.

All for now Trampas

 

[radismukes]

If I was harley I would get rid of the hydraulic clutch and go back to the old way, my 2016 triglide had the hydraulic and I didn't think it was any easier pulling in than my 2002 road king or my 1997 softail, seems like the ones having trouble are the hydraulic one's and not all of them are doing it, that is why no recall, basically I think they need a recall on this, harley is playing dumb on this and don't want to admit they screwed up their design, this is my take on it, not to sure how many harley's they are selling because of this, dealers seem to have quite a few in inventory and the 2019's are coming out. The word gets out about this and most people will think twice about a harley.

All for now Trampas

In this day and age Harley needs to think about a Class Action issue. In the long run it could cost them a lot more.

 

[Mykneesbehurtin]

Yup, it can be done with special door puller set

Does Jims make this set.

 

[Jack Klarich]

Does Jims make this set.

Yes. look here also

https://www.georges-garage.com/product/trap-door-puller-2/

 

[Freewheeling Ron]

If your Freewheeler has a cable clutch they for the most part are not having problems

The Bearing doors on hydraulic models are different

Mine is hydraulic.

 

[Jack Klarich]

Mine is hydraulic.

All hydraulic clutch bikes may have this problem, however most of the reports are on the M8 powered bikes

 

[Freewheeling Ron]

Thanks Jack.