As Always,
Still Confused!
I understand what some of the fix is going to be but have two questions:
(1) Why a new case center bolt? Does it have to do with length, tensile strength or are they putting a sealing ring under it's head like the inner primary bolts are?
(2) Looks to me and I'm sure to all of you that the most important part of all this is missing (NEW CYLINDERS). Also confusing is that some have had sleeves shift up and others shift down. Shifting up looks like it would only tighten itself more against the head gasket, while shifting down would more likely cause the leak. Furthermore, just how far down can it slip. I assume that it is shouldered against the case and can't move. I have not seen the bottom of the Harley cylinder, but looking at my new Axtells the sleeve has a large shoulder that spans over the o-ring groove.
Thanks!
JPB
I asked about cylinders, and this is what was explained to me:
There are two separate problems 1) gaskets and 2) cylinders. Unfortunately, a lot of people have lumped these together into one because the symptoms from each are similar (oil leak).
HD thinks that the problem with cylinders is limited to a smaller number of u, and that any liner movement shows up in the first few thousand miles. (My dealer confirms that that is his experience – any comments?) On the other hand, gasket problems are pretty universal.
So they are not going to replace cylinders as part of the “product improvement campaign.”
BUT, if you find you have a bad cylinder (like when the bike is torn down for “product improvement”) it’s still eligible for warranty replacement.