M8 can chain tensioner & crank
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Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 136
Likes: 11
From: Greenville, SC
M8 can chain tensioner & crank
All,
I plan to look at a 2020 Ultra Limited and 2020 Indian Roadmaster for my next bike (maybe even a Goldwing (thought I would never say that)).
For the M8 motor:
1. Any information on mileage that the M8 plastic cam chain tensioner needs to be replaced?
2. Any information if the M8 crank is true? I have been told the M8 still uses a press fit crank as compared to Indian using a one piece machined crank.
I am coming off owning two TC 88 HDs. I am still feeling the sting of the faulty design for the cam chain tensioners on the TC 88 motor. It has pushed HD to the bottom of my list for bikes to consider, so is there redemption for HD with the M8 motor? Did HD get it right this time?
Thanks for the input.
I plan to look at a 2020 Ultra Limited and 2020 Indian Roadmaster for my next bike (maybe even a Goldwing (thought I would never say that)).
For the M8 motor:
1. Any information on mileage that the M8 plastic cam chain tensioner needs to be replaced?
2. Any information if the M8 crank is true? I have been told the M8 still uses a press fit crank as compared to Indian using a one piece machined crank.
I am coming off owning two TC 88 HDs. I am still feeling the sting of the faulty design for the cam chain tensioners on the TC 88 motor. It has pushed HD to the bottom of my list for bikes to consider, so is there redemption for HD with the M8 motor? Did HD get it right this time?
Thanks for the input.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 1,143
Likes: 433
From: Menifee, CA
I think HD got it right with the M8.
I've had no more trouble with my 2018 FLTRU than I had with any of the four Goldwings I owned.
One thing, though: For best reliability, keep the bike stock. Don't fiddle with the motor or exhaust, or the airbox. Just leave it stock, the same way you'd leave a Goldwing stock. It is easy to see that most of the troubles people have with Harleys follows their fooling around with the engines, to make them more powerful, or sound different.
The M8 makes plenty of power in stock form. Just like a Goldwing does.
I've had no more trouble with my 2018 FLTRU than I had with any of the four Goldwings I owned.
One thing, though: For best reliability, keep the bike stock. Don't fiddle with the motor or exhaust, or the airbox. Just leave it stock, the same way you'd leave a Goldwing stock. It is easy to see that most of the troubles people have with Harleys follows their fooling around with the engines, to make them more powerful, or sound different.
The M8 makes plenty of power in stock form. Just like a Goldwing does.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 7,323
Likes: 11,757
From: Omaha,NE
A properly-manufactured cam tensioner should last the life of the engine. The TC engines had low-grade tensioners in them. There's some owner on the forums here with over 100K on his M8 bike, and I don't think he ever had to fix much of anything throughout his ownership.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 17,143
Likes: 6,165
From: SE Michigan
I agree with this, the 114's have plenty of power. Heck, the 107s were good enough so that I could save the $2K for a stage 1. Just add slip-ons and go.
Crank not a problem, tensioner shoes havent been a problem since they switched to hydraulic in 07 on the touring bikes.
Crank not a problem, tensioner shoes havent been a problem since they switched to hydraulic in 07 on the touring bikes.
I think HD got it right with the M8.
I've had no more trouble with my 2018 FLTRU than I had with any of the four Goldwings I owned.
One thing, though: For best reliability, keep the bike stock. Don't fiddle with the motor or exhaust, or the airbox. Just leave it stock, the same way you'd leave a Goldwing stock. It is easy to see that most of the troubles people have with Harleys follows their fooling around with the engines, to make them more powerful, or sound different.
The M8 makes plenty of power in stock form. Just like a Goldwing does.
I've had no more trouble with my 2018 FLTRU than I had with any of the four Goldwings I owned.
One thing, though: For best reliability, keep the bike stock. Don't fiddle with the motor or exhaust, or the airbox. Just leave it stock, the same way you'd leave a Goldwing stock. It is easy to see that most of the troubles people have with Harleys follows their fooling around with the engines, to make them more powerful, or sound different.
The M8 makes plenty of power in stock form. Just like a Goldwing does.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 19,863
Likes: 7,981
From: poway
Ther good thing also about the cam tensioner on an M8 is that there is only 1 and you don't have to RnR the cam plate to replace. 2 hour job? I don't think there have been any recorded failures yet here.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 8,054
Likes: 8,080
From: Canada
Regarding the crank being true question, the spec in the HD manual is so huge that a crank thats junk by others standards is okay by Harley. IIRC the spec is over .015" and its still okay! Uh huh.....
I think the reality is any of the cranks post timkin twinkie are not great but they do the job well enough.
I think the reality is any of the cranks post timkin twinkie are not great but they do the job well enough.
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