M8 problems
Banned
Joined: Jul 2008
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If you put the recommended amount of oil in the crankcase you will probably be alright for a good part of the year. But, if you put in the recommended amount of oil and the summer heat goes up to 85-95 degrees and you ride at 70-75 mph, the oil in the crankcase has no where to expand to except out the air cleaner. Very common in the hot summer. Most guys just suck some out of the fill hole with a turkey baster and go on their way. I run my M8 3 dots down from the top of the dipstick when I check it hot. When the engine is cold and you check it you will find it about 6 dots from the top. Not a big deal by any means, but you should take it into your friendly Harley Davidson service department so they can put your mind to ease. Things like this are not covered in the owner's manual. I am sure others will come in with their opinions as well.
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From: poway
If you put the recommended amount of oil in the crankcase you will probably be alright for a good part of the year. But, if you put in the recommended amount of oil and the summer heat goes up to 85-95 degrees and you ride at 70-75 mph, the oil in the crankcase has no where to expand to except out the air cleaner. Very common in the hot summer. Most guys just suck some out of the fill hole with a turkey baster and go on their way. I run my M8 3 dots down from the top of the dipstick when I check it hot. When the engine is cold and you check it you will find it about 6 dots from the top. Not a big deal by any means, but you should take it into your friendly Harley Davidson service department so they can put your mind to ease. Things like this are not covered in the owner's manual. I am sure others will come in with their opinions as well.
M8 have a hot and cold level on the dip stick..
Nothing wrong with running it mid level tho..
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Joined: Jul 2008
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My dipstick does not have a HOT level and a COLD level on the dipstick.
It does have a Full HOT Jiffy stand chart on the "upper" portion of the stick. The "bottom" chart on the stick is for a Full HOT Vehicle Upright reading.
The service manual does say the "Oil level on a cold engine should never be above the midway point" on the stick.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 19,925
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From: poway
Maybe we have different M8 engines.
My dipstick does not have a HOT level and a COLD level on the dipstick.
It does have a Full HOT Jiffy stand chart on the "upper" portion of the stick. The "bottom" chart on the stick is for a Full HOT Vehicle Upright reading.
The service manual does say the "Oil level on a cold engine should never be above the midway point" on the stick.
My dipstick does not have a HOT level and a COLD level on the dipstick.
It does have a Full HOT Jiffy stand chart on the "upper" portion of the stick. The "bottom" chart on the stick is for a Full HOT Vehicle Upright reading.
The service manual does say the "Oil level on a cold engine should never be above the midway point" on the stick.
Yep you are right.. Hot upright and hot sidestand.. I guess the thing is that you shouldn't need to run below the high hot level if the oil level is checked while hot..
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Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 21
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From: Butler Pa
Glad I saw this
I looked at getting a new '17 Street Glide Special last year and held off on a first year model, glad I did. Was just looking again as I now have a problem with mine, but after reading some posts on here I'm going to hold off. So glad I found this forum. Thanks
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2012
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From: NC, USA
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From: State of Confusion
103 is a mature engine..they don't run nearly as nice as the 107 but for folks that are jittery about spending thousands and being let down by potential issues then 103 is a solid choice and the money spent on upgrading can be spent on going on more rides..I've had a couple 103's and they provided me with many thousands of trouble free miles and memorable trips so that's what riding is all about at the end of the day..Ride On!
