At a recent Harley sponsored performance shop class the topic of the m8 oil leaks came up. Seems to be a known issue stemming from the factory spring clamp that connects to the radiator and/or oil coolers. It's a simple fix that requires swapping out the clamp for a screw type worm clamp. I'm told HD is beginning to swap them out so check with your local dealer, or do it yourself if you feel comfortable doing so. On that note out of the 15 new m8 owners that were in that class, none had any issues with their bikes and a few of them were already pushing 10,000 miles. btw, the performance class was a 3hour class covering stage I, II, III, and IV kits. You get to check out the components that make up the kits as well as see first hand how one of the kits gets installed. Cost was $10.00 which included a BBQ lunch and a $10 gift card. (so it's really free)

 

Just learned of the stage IV heads yesterday. There's also a 515 cam to go with...

 

I doubt if it would have broke you down and stranded you imo, the engine is still air cooled. Yes it would have run a little hotter and definitely needed the leak fixed. Ebert

 

Well.. Thanks for your imo.

Yes, you may be right about no engine damage and being air cooled but I really would not have wanted to run the water pump dry without coolant. So for that reason alone I would have considered myself broke down.

I believe the water cooled heads are more of a function of allowing the engines combustion process to be EPA compliant. The engine cooling benafit being a secondary bennifit.

Bill G