Thanks for the informative video, all makes sense to me. Those that disagree with your cause and effect explanation are going to do so regardless of what you say and show, that’s just the shitty side of human nature. This issue is fairly prevalent talking to Harley people. I really believe your theory is plausible or even probable.
Harley-Davidson M8 Engine Problems
Additional comment: For every owner of a M8 that hasn’t had any issues, there’s a owner who has. NOT a good reputation, and yes sir, fhese M8 ARE PROBLEMATIC, ITS A FACT. As a engine builder, and machinist, with a good deal of Mechanical Engineering schooling, trust me when I say, going back to a single camshaft was a step BACKWARDS, done SOLELY for profit and the beancounters. Yes, the heads flow, and yes I have a Flow-Bench, but for anyone who thinks the day of 2 valve engines are over, has NEVER seen the flow numbers of the LS Chevy cylinder head or the SB2 cylinder head from GMPP Division.
I’ve been riding and wrenching HD for over 40yrs, and have owned the same 72 FLHP for 35 of those years. I have no idea how much mileage the thing has on it, but enough to have swapped out the tranny for a 79 rotary lid in the early 80s because the original just wore out. I’ve NEVER had to touch the top or bottom ends, and it’s still oil tight and just barely beginning to puff a little smoke on start up. I also own a 97 wide glide with 42,000 on it, and have only had to change the rocker box gaskets once. With the exception of replacing the drive belt and the speedo sensor last year, I’ve done no other repairs. In all of my years of wrenching, I have rarely encountered ANY of the issues I have heard people repeating about the shovel or evo. I have however, personally witnessed the multitude of problems people have had with the Twinkies and M8s. I briefly owned an 02 Springer Softail Twinkie, but got rid of it because I felt like I was riding a hand grenade with a loose pin, knowing how the engine was designed. Harley, like everyone else, has de-engineered their bikes to get away with the cheapest shit possible.
Very informative and accurate video! I had the identical situation happen to my 19 RGS at 8700 miles. Had the bike one year. The dealership repaired without costs to me only because I shamed them on their Facebook page. Didn’t want the public hearing my bitching,lol. I believe they replaced the blown head gasket with another stock gasket. I will look into replacing with the MLS. Thank you very much for posting this video.
Gunny
Very informative and accurate video! I had the identical situation happen to my 19 RGS at 8700 miles. Had the bike one year. The dealership repaired without costs to me only because I shamed them on their Facebook page. Didn’t want the public hearing my bitching,lol. I believe they replaced the blown head gasket with another stock gasket. I will look into replacing with the MLS. Thank you very much for posting this video.
Gunny