Sitting here thinkin'...no problems

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Mar 4, 2012 | 03:36 AM

garand

Thread Starter

Road Master

Joined: Jun 2005

Posts: 1,212

Likes: 4

From: From Illinois; Currently Belgium

Sitting here thinkin'...no problems

As I sit here on this rainy day while reading through all the problem threads, I figure I'm pretty lucky.

I have an 08 FLHX with 19K miles. I ride it hard, do the occasional burn out, launch like I'm drag racing a couple times/week and down shift to pass up to 90mph...and probably even worse. My bike has never been to the dealer since it rolled off the floor. I've done all my services to include the SE compensator. The original compensator looked brand new. I keep royal purple in all 3 holes and change it regularly. Not a problem. Not a scissored crank, not a bad main shaft bearing, not a wheel bearing, nothing. I keep on waiting for all the "common" problems to creep up on me. I wonder how long it'll be.

Here's to the vast majority that don't have any issues with their bike...
Sorry to those not so lucky.

Mar 4, 2012 | 04:08 AM

hoggy05

Cruiser

Joined: May 2007

Posts: 153

Likes: 45

From:

10 flhtk my biggest problem is do i ride n-s-e or west.
thunder max se 211 v&h dresser duels cobra 4" slipons

Mar 4, 2012 | 04:15 AM

Sallyman

Road Captain

Joined: Apr 2010

Posts: 513

Likes: 3

From: Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island

Holy smokes, I wouldn't be worried about riding,

Mar 4, 2012 | 05:09 AM

Stiggy

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Nov 2010

Posts: 17,548

Likes: 7,173

From: Oxford, Nc

First off, the problems with anything gets amplified on a forum. And most guys won't have too many issues over their ownership experience.

And 19,000 miles over 4 years is the MoCo's perfect customer. ( Even Dealerships look for 5,000 miles per year at trade in time.)

And as with anything, putting more miles on quickly increases the chance of breaking something.

It's been the engineering decisions since 07 that's gotten everybody up in arms because those decisions ( mostly economic,) increase the possibility of problems down the road.

For example I assume you changed out your compensator to avoid a problem later?
My 2000 has the original 'everything' in the primary at 12 years 103,000 miles. It was a design decision that caused the clink, clank, grind on 07 and later bikes.

Wheel bearings changed to 'single row' in 08? My 'double row' ( '00 to '07) were changed out at 100,000 just for good measure. The single row were cheaper however...

Throttle by wire? I'm still running my original throttle cable Thank you very much...

And yes, you know now that your cast crankshaft without a Timken lefty bearing won't hold a candle to the hot forged crankshafts with the Timken bearing support of '99 - '02. (You can buy the Timken kit through the P&A book now for folks wanting the extra durability btw.) That would be on my mind when considering 'burn outs.' It's not like you're not aware...

So your bike will probably be fine. I'm sure that Moco has statistics as to probabilities of failure 4 years down the road and will adjust accordingly, ( as the accounting department permits.)

Mar 4, 2012 | 05:43 AM

Kesean

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Nov 2010

Posts: 2,576

Likes: 456

From: Maryland

Knock on wood, like I'm one of the few that hasn't had any problems either. Keeping it maintained of course is a main factor, but a lot of the problems I read about a truly self induced. Bottom line is if YOU DON"T KNOW what you doing then bite the bullet and pay the money take it to someone that does. Sure there is great advice here on the forum and there are plenty out there that have posted some great threads about different maintenance issues and how to fix them. I do what I feel/know I can handle and all else I get with a subject matter expert pay the money to repair/replace.

Mar 4, 2012 | 07:22 AM

Rooster37

Road Master

Joined: Jan 2011

Posts: 781

Likes: 1

From: central, ohio

I always keep in mind that there are thousands of members on here and only a few have whatever problem is being discussed.

Mar 4, 2012 | 07:45 AM

Uncle Larry

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Jan 2011

Posts: 157,462

Likes: 57,017

From: Michigan 15 Minutes East Of Hell

I think it was Anne Murray who sang "Sure Could Use A Little Good News Today" ... Great way to start the morning .... besides if that FLHX did give you any trouble, judging by your screen name ( Garand ) .... you'd probably shoot the damn thing!