Update for my oil leaking M8

[MikeyTX]

Politics aside, it will be a long time if ever before I trade the '16. Trike body isn't going to change, that is for sure. For way less than the cost of a new one, the suspension can be upgraded. The TC 103 is very easy to rebuild. Crate motor worse case scenario. As I grow older (71 now) I will travel less by m/c. As such, the trike will stay closer to home and not roll up miles as it did this past summer. In fact, once I take it to the Snake and the Dragon's Tail, that will be it except for the annual trike rally in Deadwood, SD. I am, without question, slowing down. :Coffee:

 

[Steve on 3]

Mike

Good for you riding at 71. I hope we all are riding at that age.

Update:

Rode the trike the last two nights in excess of 50 miles per night. Mileage is around 40 on flat terrain with a few hills. Power is really good. Noise is higher that I thought it should be. Still get an oil smell after riding but no observable leaks on motor. Would think that after 150 miles, any oil would have burned off. No smoking at all. I wonder if it needed additional break in time to cure low mileage problem? Trike rides really well with the new front forks.

Can't wait to get my comfort lift on it Thanks Kevin.

Dealer hasn't commented on extended esp.

that I am requesting. Counted up that I am responsible for over 300k in bike sales between my purchases and folks I sent to dealer with salesman's card in hand and they bought bikes. Told them I still don't have confidence that this motor will outlast my payments of 4 years. Don't think I am being out of line for asking for esp with issues we have dealt with.

As always, will let you know what is going on. Dealer says he has had no other problems with any M8. Just my luck to get this one.

 

[rhino 2]

As always, will let you know what is going on. Dealer says he has had no other problems with any M8. Just my luck to get this one.

When ever a dealer tells me I'm the only one with this problem i tell them write it down this way when some one else has that problem you can say we seen that before and we know how to fix it..

When a dealer moved to a new location closer to me.. I stopped in to see their new store. I went over to their service desk and asked have you had any problems with the reverse in the Tri-Glides... No we haven't, Then i told him i did, but i found a rebuilder not far from here and he rebuilt mine for 95 dollars... Then he says can you give me their name i have 3 back here that need rebuilding.. So much for not having a problem......

 

[Fearless]

Mike

Good for you riding at 71.

I hope we all are riding at that age.

Update:

Rode the trike the last two nights in excess of 50 miles per night. Mileage is around 40 on flat terrain with a few hills. Power is really good. Noise is higher that I thought it should be. Still get an oil smell after riding but no observable leaks on motor. Would think that after 150 miles, any oil would have burned off. No smoking at all. I wonder if it needed additional break in time to cure low mileage problem? Trike rides really well with the new front forks.

Can't wait to get my comfort lift on it Thanks Kevin.

Dealer hasn't commented on extended esp. that I am requesting.

Counted up that I am responsible for over 300k in bike sales between my purchases and folks I sent to dealer with salesman's card in hand and they bought bikes. Told them I still don't have confidence that this motor will outlast my payments of 4 years. Don't think I am being out of line for asking for esp with issues we have dealt with.

As always, will let you know what is going on. Dealer says he has had no other problems with any M8. Just my luck to get this one.

Do you think you will do better than 40 MPG that is really good for stock machine my old 09 get around 35 to 36 if I behave myself. ride safely fearless

 

[MikeyTX]

Bucket List

Somehow having ridden all that I wanted to in WA, OR and CA this past summer, not sure I could justify another round of the same. Even the third trip in early September, I had to fight way more traffic in Yellowstone than I thought there would be after Labor day.

 

[Gone2Three]

Mike

Good for you riding at 71.

I hope we all are riding at that age.

Update:

Rode the trike the last two nights in excess of 50 miles per night. Mileage is around 40 on flat terrain with a few hills. Power is really good. Noise is higher that I thought it should be. Still get an oil smell after riding but no observable leaks on motor. Would think that after 150 miles, any oil would have burned off. No smoking at all. I wonder if it needed additional break in time to cure low mileage problem? Trike rides really well with the new front forks.

Can't wait to get my comfort lift on it Thanks Kevin.

Dealer hasn't commented on extended esp. that I am requesting.

Counted up that I am responsible for over 300k in bike sales between my purchases and folks I sent to dealer with salesman's card in hand and they bought bikes. Told them I still don't have confidence that this motor will outlast my payments of 4 years. Don't think I am being out of line for asking for esp with issues we have dealt with.

As always, will let you know what is going on. Dealer says he has had no other problems with any M8. Just my luck to get this one.

Well I'm hoping you can close that deal on the ESP, like you've said it's shouldn't be entirely out of question knowing the bike's history. Glad your at least getting to ride that Trike now!

As time goes on hopefully your long time trust is regained in both the bike and dealer. Best of luck brother!

ThumbUp

 

[Steve on 3]

Fearless

I think 40 is excellent and I will take it all day long. That is at 55 mph. As we know as the speed goes up the mpg goes down. I think the bike is getting broken in. My concern is still the pieces of o ring that may or may not be in the oiling system. Dealer has been pretty good so far. Just have no confidence in the motors longevity.

Y'all ride safe

Steve

 

[Fearless]

+1

I would be as nervous as a cat trying to bury crap on a Marble floor also. good luck I think your mileage will go up even with speed and break in time. fearless

Fearless

I think 40 is excellent and I will take it all day long. That is at 55 mph. As we know as the speed goes up the mpg goes down. I think the bike is getting broken in. My concern is still the pieces of o ring that may or may not be in the oiling system. Dealer has been pretty good so far. Just have no confidence in the motors longevity.

Y'all ride safe

Steve

 

[alienwulf]

Steve i have watched your post with interest it is a lot to go thru for such a huge investment. Sometimes these dealers forget just how large the cost really is to people. If he declines on the Esp counter with how about cost? There is a very large spread on them and he really would lose nothing and keep a customer if you should have problems later. As it stands if it crapped out after warranty, you would be one pissed buyer. Just some thoughts, hope this works out for you..

 

[Casper]

I've been following you post, and it stinks to high heaven....sorry for all you're going through. On my 16. at 350 miles I had a lifter go bad and one shock leaking. Course dealer fixed under warranty, replaced both lifters and one shock....no issues since, 1500 miles now.
i would push for the esp, that's the least he could do.

ride it for two years and trade for a new one...if you can.

 

[30glock]

Wow what a nightmare, hopefully your problems are in the past, I am trading my 16 and going back to two wheels, now i'm wondering if i should go with a 16 model two wheel which are being heavily discounted, or take my chances with the latest and greatest.

 

[Casper]

Wow what a nightmare, hopefully your problems are in the past, I am trading my 16 and going back to two wheels, now i'm wondering if i should go with a 16 model two wheel which are being heavily discounted, or take my chances with the latest and greatest.

thats the 64 thousand question! It really stinks what he's going through, but how many 2017's were sold that are experiencing no issues?
We went with a 16 because of savings and I just don't have the warm and fuzzy over the new model, probably just me, but this will most likely be our last trike....so I went with the 16 and will modify it to suit us.

 

[Steve on 3]

Wow what a nightmare, hopefully your problems are in the past, I am trading my 16 and going back to two wheels, now i'm wondering if i should go with a 16 model two wheel which are being heavily discounted, or take my chances with the latest and greatest.

I would buy a 17 again in a minute. Mine was evidently built on friday the 13th oner Monday after a holiday. today I went out to ride and the batteries in both key fobs were dead. I had not set a pin so no way to crank it. It was just a big dumb hunk of iron. New batteries in the fobs and cranked and set the pin. Probably should have used 13 13 13 but I didn't. No idea what else might go wrong. But I am told by 3 dealers mechanics I trust that they have not seen any issues. I just got.

"That Bike"

 

[trikermutha]

I would buy a 17 again in a minute. Mine was evidently built on friday the 13th oner Monday after a holiday. today I went out to ride and the batteries in both key fobs were dead. I had not set a pin so no way to crank it. It was just a big dumb hunk of iron. New batteries in the fobs and cranked and set the pin. Probably should have used 13 13 13 but I didn't. No idea what else might go wrong. But I am told by 3 dealers mechanics I trust that they have not seen any issues. I just got.

"That Bike"

Most dealers set the pin unless you change it..:xzqxz:

 

[MikeyTX]

Right there with ya

thats the 64 thousand question! It really stinks what he's going through, but how many 2017's were sold that are experiencing no issues?
We went with a 16 because of savings and I just don't have the warm and fuzzy over the new model, probably just me, but this will most likely be our last trike....so I went with the 16 and will modify it to suit us.

Title says it all. I really have this trike right where I want it as far as mods now. Don't ride two up or pull a trailer so I have all the power and cargo space I need. And, at 71 yrs of age, this trike should last me for a long time.

 

[DK Custom Products]

Sounds like you have it sorted.

Good idea on trying to get a comp (or at least a discount) on the ESP.

I would not worry too much about the o-ring. Yes, a piece could get stuck somewhere that caused a problem, but it is much more likely that it will not. If it does, it would almost assuredly be within the factory warranty period.

Enjoy your new ride!!! ThumbUp

Kevin

 

[Steve on 3]

Thanks Kevin,

Coming from you it makes me feel better

 

[Dave59]

Hey Steve, I just wanted to say how impressed I am with the patience you had through your whole ordeal. I don't know that I could have done that. Hopefully these problems will only be a bad memory soon and you'll have many more good things to say about the new ride. Stay safe.

 

[Fozworth]

Hello Steve,

I've been watching with great interest to see how this turns out.

I love my 2016 Tri-Glide and hope you can get to feeling good about your purchase soon.

 

[Steve on 3]

Update to the Update to the....... well, you know

Well my luck continues. We took a week long cruise out of Charleston SC to the Bahamas. After leaving port , we experienced 10-14 foot seas and a wind that varied between 40 and 60 mph. Ship rocked and rolled and about 40% sick. Cancelled all excursions on water or in water and cancelled trip to private island. Kept us tied up to the pier in Nassau for two days. Didn't leave the ship the second day. Back home wind still over 45 mph and seas just as bad.

On the trike side, of course no riding last week. Got it out Sunday afternoon for a 30 minute ride.

Was ok.

Sent a text to the sales guy and asked why I had not heard anything from Service manager or owner or him. Told him it had been 4 weeks since the purchase and I wasn't satisfied. Told him things were well when I bought over $100k worth of bikes and sent over 150K in sales to them from friends. But where were they when I needed them? All I hear is crickets. Told him that after much promises by him, the owner and the service manager, nothing was done.

I will do as one of you suggested, ride the snot out of it for two years, take it to a different dealer and trade it off. I keep hearing that the bikes with problems are in the 1% range of experience but it is 100% range to me.

Think its time for a dealer change.

 

[Capt.Bob]

Well my luck continues. We took a week long cruise out of Charleston SC to the Bahamas. After leaving port , we experienced 10-14 foot seas and a wind that varied between 40 and 60 mph. Ship rocked and rolled and about 40% sick. Cancelled all excursions on water or in water and cancelled trip to private island. Kept us tied up to the pier in Nassau for two days. Didn't leave the ship the second day. Back home wind still over 45 mph and seas just as bad.

On the trike side, of course no riding last week. Got it out Sunday afternoon for a 30 minute ride.

Was ok.

Sent a text to the sales guy and asked why I had not heard anything from Service manager or owner or him. Told him it had been 4 weeks since the purchase and I wasn't satisfied. Told him things were well when I bought over $100k worth of bikes and sent over 150K in sales to them from friends. But where were they when I needed them? All I hear is crickets. Told him that after much promises by him, the owner and the service manager, nothing was done.

I will do as one of you suggested, ride the snot out of it for two years, take it to a different dealer and trade it off. I keep hearing that the bikes with problems are in the 1% range of experience but it is 100% range to me.

Think its time for a dealer change.

Steve, I wouldn't buy a lottery ticket right now.

It might go up in flames like the new Samsung 7's. If I might be so bold.

Why did you talk with a salesman? They are not the decision makers. I would call up the owner of the dealership and express your concerns and ask the owner what they would be interested in doing to keep your business. If you do not get a satisfactory response from the owner, then it is definitely time to consider another dealer.

I had a UPS Store where I had spent tens of thousands of dollars over the years and one day the owner must have been having a bad day and teed off on me. I looked at him rather incredulously and pointed out that his behavior was out of line especially since I had spent so much money with his store. I had expressed concerns about the rate increases that were coming at too regular a clip on shipping. He was unapologetic and that ended our business relationship. That was about a year ago and it was the last time that he will EVER see me in his store.

 

[Steve on 3]

Bob,

You are absolutely correct. I dealt with the salesman because he was always my go to guy. I will do my talking to the owner. If no results, he won't see me again or my friends.

PS, with ,my luck, I am afraid to go to the restroom. Might find something else that won't work

 

[Gone2Three]

Trade that sucker!...it's got some bad mojo going on :AGGHH:...how are y'a supposed to love it when your not getting that love in return :gah::cxtv: find a new dealer and get that albatross out of your life.

 

[Capt.Bob]

Steve on 3, I am about ready to "pop" holding my breath as to how the selling Harley dealership handles your saga. I suspect that you had a chance to call that person today to get a read on how he/she might remedy your difficult experience?

I know some will say that the dealer met their legal responsibilities in affecting the repairs but the whole way that things were handled seemed a bit less than fully satisfactory and a bit fumbled. Especially your continued concerns about small bits of rubber potentially floating around in your new engine.

I need to draw new breath to keep chugging along on my own TGU so you need to inform us sooner or later or call the paramedics for me. Bob

 

[MikeyTX]

Trade that sucker!...it's got some bad mojo going on :AGGHH:...how are y'a supposed to love it when your not getting that love in return :gah::cxtv: find a new dealer and get that albatross out of your life.

That would be one hell of a hit on the old wallet. Best bet is to ride it out till close to the end of the 2 yr warranty, then trade it. Keep it basically bone stock. Don't add anything that can't be moved to a new Tri Glide in a few ............

 

[RickB]

Oil leak

I have a 2015 Tri-Glide. When I brought it home from it's 5000 mile service, I had oil leaking out of the air box. When I went back to the dealership, the lady at the service desk told me that it was probably because the weather had been so hot lately and that I may have ridden too much on Interstate roads. Now the check engine light and the temp light came on, so I have an appointment next Wed. to have it looked at. I'm 63 and this is my first Harley, maybe I should have stuck to metrics!

 

[consitter]

I have a 2015 Tri-Glide. When I brought it home from it's 5000 mile service, I had oil leaking out of the air box. When I went back to the dealership, the lady at the service desk told me that it was probably because the weather had been so hot lately and that I may have ridden too much on Interstate roads. Now the check engine light and the temp light came on, so I have an appointment next Wed. to have it looked at. I'm 63 and this is my first Harley, maybe I should have stuck to metrics!

Nah.

Just think of it it as an adventure!

 

[rhino 2]

I have a 2015 Tri-Glide. When I brought it home from it's 5000 mile service, I had oil leaking out of the air box. When I went back to the dealership, the lady at the service desk told me that it was probably because the weather had been so hot lately and that I may have ridden too much on Interstate roads. Now the check engine light and the temp light came on, so I have an appointment next Wed. to have it looked at. I'm 63 and this is my first Harley, maybe I should have stuck to metrics!

Welcome to Trike Talk,ThumbUp And about the oil leaking [Blow-Bye] Gonna bet they probably put a little too much oil in the crankcase..Very common problem..Especially if you run in the high RPM's..

 

[Recycledteen]

I'm with Rhino on this one. My '01 was the same way so I just ran it a half qt low and never had any more problems.