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[msquad]

So I read post after post on how the lifters etc. on the 110 engine are junk and may grenade sooner or later.  Also how the primary isn't that great.   This is so disappointing that I will not give Harley another dollar on a bike again, ever.   I don't care about M8 schmem 8. 

I changed all my fluids at 1K.   Then after winter was over, again at 3600 miles.  At that point I noticed the primary fluid was very gray and the drain plug magnet was full.   

Today I changed the primary fluid again only after 900 miles.   My son even commented today on now he couldn't believe how dirty gray the primary fluid looked after only 900 miles.   Using Formula +.    This is ridiculous.

I need to get rid of this junk box and get something that I don't to worry about cam bearings, lifters, crank...whatever.   I really liked this bike but having something reliable is important to me.   Sorry if offending all you diehards, but thought I'd get this off my chest somewhere. 

[moscooter]

You don't say how many miles you rack up in a season of riding.  Certainly,  something in the primary or elsewhere could malfunction/break and cause you some problems.  But it seems you are overly caught up/concerned with the color of the primary fluid.

You could end up riding for years and never have a problem,  but as with all mechanical devices,  something at some point can and will happen.  You can go and buy a Honda Goldwing,  a BMW and/or a Yamaha or any other and you're still subject to something going wrong.

[skratch]

i'm sorry, but it sounds like you are making a problem where there isn't one.  the primary oil is going to get nasty, you've got clutch plates in there.  if you don't have big chunks of metal on the magnet, you don't have a problem.  fuzz is not a problem, that is normal.

I've got over 31,000 miles on mine.  I still have the stock lifters.  will they 'grenade'?  maybe, but if they do I've got the esp to take care of it.  if they start making noise, i'll have them looked at.  as of now, the only noise is the 'normal' Harley noise.  remember, the number of people on this site comprise only a small portion of the hd customers.  and while some issues may be common, they aren't the norm.  otherwise, people wouldn't be buying these bikes.

[King Glide]

Every brand of motorcycles have issues from time to time, it's just that the majority of motorcycles out on the roads are Harley's, so that's where you are going to hear the most problems. Just remember, Harley Davidson wouldn't be the number one seller worldwide if they weren't the best overall and nobody's ever seen "Honda" tattooed on someone's shoulder.

[J.D.]

Maybe try a different primary fluid.  Some of the aftermarket synthetics provide more wear protection than F+.

[OBB]

I'll give ya $50 for the pile of crap site unseen if you want to get rid of it that bad.

[CHH_Badkarma]

Maybe try a different primary fluid.  Some of the aftermarket synthetics provide more wear protection than F+.

^^^ This.
Spectro makes a good primary fluid.

[CVODON]

Whoa.. breathe and relax. Buy some Redline/Mobil/Spectra/Or whatever Synthetic Primary fluid and change it every 5K. Otherwise let it go, not worth a heart attack.

[skratch]

I failed to mention in my earlier post, I use shell rotella t dino oil in my primary.  runs about $14 for a gallon jug, which is good for 3+ changes.  it is jaso rated for wet clutch use and economical enough to change with every engine oil change even though the manual calls for change at 10k.

[J.D.]

I do both the primary and tranny every engine oil change.  Cheap insurance.

[iski]

Get a Honda.  You meet the nicest people on a Honda.

[BostonboyDH]

Get a Honda.  You meet the nicest people on a Honda.

I'll give ya $50 for the pile of crap site unseen if you want to get rid of it that bad.

           

[skratch]

okay, stepping away from giving the op grief, how about a little encouragement?  this is obviously your first hd.  and as such, you have to learn the hd 'idiosyncrasies'. 

you're worried about reliability.  has your bike let you down?  broken down on the side of the road somewhere?  you haven't mentioned that it has.  a lot of the folks on this forum ride some big miles.  very few of them are concerned that their bikes won't get them home.

also, your son 'remarked on the color of the oil'.  what does he ride?  if he rides a metric, then he doesn't understand either that hd uses 3 different oil 'reservoirs'.  when you look at the primary oil, you are seeing only the primary.  the engine/tranny fluid is not diluting it.

my suggestion is to stop stressing over 'what ifs' and actually get out there and ride your bike.  you'll be glad you did.

[KGB]

okay, stepping away from giving the op grief, how about a little encouragement?  this is obviously your first hd.  and as such, you have to learn the hd 'idiosyncrasies'. 

you're worried about reliability.  has your bike let you down?  broken down on the side of the road somewhere?  you haven't mentioned that it has.  a lot of the folks on this forum ride some big miles.  very few of them are concerned that their bikes won't get them home.

also, your son 'remarked on the color of the oil'.  what does he ride?  if he rides a metric, then he doesn't understand either that hd uses 3 different oil 'reservoirs'.  when you look at the primary oil, you are seeing only the primary.  the engine/tranny fluid is not diluting it.

my suggestion is to stop stressing over 'what ifs' and actually get out there and ride your bike.  you'll be glad you did.

Yea what he said!

[smkymtnboy]

Get a Honda.  You meet the nicest people on a Honda.

that's to old for this site!! well,maybe not with all us ole geezers. its still ancient history.