20k service observations

[ultrafxr]

Performed the 20k service on my 2018 TG today and checked and verified several things. Good news is that there is no indication of oil migration from the trans to the primary. I carefully measured each by draining them into a quart measuring cup. I drained exactly 32 oz from the primary and 27 oz from the trans. Withing spec. And while I changed out the primary at 10k this is the first fluid change I've made to the trans so what was in it is what it came with from the factory.

The magnetic drain plugs for the trans and primary were very clean and had noticeably less debris that what I've encountered on my other bikes.

The o-ring on the engine oil drain plug was pristine making me think that this motor runs cooler than some of my previous Harleys. I know for sure that on my 2012 CVO Ultra with the 110" Twin Cam the o-ring on the engine oil drain plug was very deteriorated at each fluid change and it appeared to me to be related to heat.

I've got my new Avon Cobra Chrome front tire, two fairly new Goodyear ComfortTreds on the rear and now a full service so I'm all set for the riding season. Let the fun begin.

[ISP-FL]

That is certainly good news. So you are changing your tran fluid at 20,000 miles intervals? Just curious.

[ultrafxr]

That is certainly good news. So you are changing your tran fluid at 20,000 miles intervals? Just curious.

That's what the service manual calls for but frankly it looked so good and there was so very little metal particles on the magnet that I don't understand the need to change it even that often. I know a lot of folks think it is better and pro-active to change all fluids each time they do the motor oil. I have always stuck with the moco maintenance schedule: 5k for motor oil; 10k for primary and 20k for trans and plan to continue doing so. I'll do it and document it 'just in case' although I've never had the slightest bit of trouble with any Harley trans . . . and I've got over 400k on Harleys since 1999.

[FuzzyWuzHe]

Sounds like so far ... so good ... glad to hear it

[ultrafxr]

Sounds like so far ... so good ... glad to hear it

Thanks Alan. I know especially with H-Ds you can get bit in the azz when you least expect it with a problem. I know the oil migration is real and anyone who has it is entitled to be royally pizzed. So far this 2018 M8 (like the M8 on my 2017 CVO Limited) has been spectacular and trouble free. Sure hope it stays that way as I paid way to much Harley 'tax' (and grief) with the various 110" Twin Cams I've had . . . and I had three of them and all three had problems.

[Jack Klarich]

Jerry, I have been measuring what I take out for years

Like you I do not like surprises

I have had very good luck with my M8 also

[MDO]

That's what the service manual calls for but frankly it looked so good and there was so very little metal particles on the magnet that I don't understand the need to change it even that often. I know a lot of folks think it is better and pro-active to change all fluids each time they do the motor oil. I have always stuck with the moco maintenance schedule: 5k for motor oil; 10k for primary and 20k for trans and plan to continue doing so. I'll do it and document it 'just in case' although I've never had the slightest bit of trouble with any Harley trans . . . and I've got over 400k on Harleys since 1999.

I saw your original post. I'm assuming the fluids were all changed at the 1000 mile service. I agree with your assessment of the tranny fluid. As far as the primary, it gets so dirty from the clutch, but a quality fluid should go 10,000 miles.

It's not a bad routine to just change them every year, unless your a high mileage rider.

[FuzzyWuzHe]

Not starting an oil thread here ... LOL ... I use syn3 in the engine and redline in the other two holes. I do engine every 3-4k or annually, and the other two holes yearly or 10k. Compared to the cost of the engine ... oil is cheap.

[ultrafxr]

I saw your original post. I'm assuming the fluids were all changed at the 1000 mile service. I agree with your assessment of the tranny fluid. As far as the primary, it gets so dirty from the clutch, but a quality fluid should go 10,000 miles.

It's not a bad routine to just change them every year, unless your a high mileage rider.

I did the 1k service on the motor oil only as I wanted to switch to synthetic. Did not do the trans or primary. I mean for real - who in the automotive world asks you to change fluids at 1k? In this day and age of quality lubricants and good machining and close tolerances it is totally unrealistic to assume that the lubricants are ineffective after just the first 1k. Just my opinon . . . but that's how I do it.

Did do the primary at 10k of course but as I stated in the OP - the trans fluid was what it came with from the factory.

[MB1953]

When I bought the '17 TG, I also purchased the 20K prepaid maintenance package. !K, 5K, 10K, 15K, 20K. dealer uses Syn 3 in all 3 holes, and changes all 3 holes every service, plus everything else called out by MOCO for each service. Pretty happy with the results, and just renewed for the next 20K miles.