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[Steve_G]

I am happy with my '08 CVO and had planned on keeping it for a long time, but I keep reading of all the engine failures on these bikes. What is needed to hopefully insure reliability? I only have about 16,000 mi. on the bike.
Should I replace the cam bearings and lifters?  -the compensator?  -valve guides? -have flywheels balanced and crank welded?  God knows what else.

Wait for a failure?  Trade for a new bike?  
Any opinions?

[ltank]

I would get the hydraulic cam chain tensioner with high output oil pump. Wait on lifters and crank weld. Some prefer the S&S gear cam drive but is more sensitive to crank runout tolerances. Some preventive care and some prudance. Lifters have a lot of life left at 16k miles but who knows?
Ltank

[FlaHeatWave]

Your '08 should have the hydraulic tensioners, not sure about the oil pump, you might put in the cam bearings.
The compensator will start making noise well before failure, or you can pull the primary cover and take a look. My good friend that does about 30k mi/yr says they last about 30k mi for him.

Were the '08s on the head recall? Check with your dealer on that. The 6sp tranny can have some bearing issues, when my Tech had the inner primary off to replace the crank of the '09 SERG, I paid him a little extra to pull the seal and look at the bearing. As far as the cranks go, the front rod bearing in the '09 SERG was starting to go < 10k mi.
That being said, I have seen '08s and '09s with over 150k mi that have never had any of these issues and have never had a wrench on them except for normal maintenence.

[Steve_G]

Your '08 should have the hydraulic tensioners, not sure about the oil pump, you might put in the cam bearings.
The compensator will start making noise well before failure, or you can pull the primary cover and take a look. My good friend that does about 30k mi/yr says they last about 30k mi for him.

Were the '08s on the head recall? Check with your dealer on that. The 6sp tranny can have some bearing issues, when my Tech had the inner primary off to replace the crank of the '09 SERG, I paid him a little extra to pull the seal and look at the bearing. As far as the cranks go, the front rod bearing in the '09 SERG was starting to go < 10k mi.
That being said, I have seen '08s and '09s with over 150k mi that have never had any of these issues and have never had a wrench on them except for normal maintenence.

Yeah, mine had the recall done, I may let the dealer do the $675 20K service and put new cam bearings in at that time.
I don't do burn outs or wheelies. 
-Good to know the compensator starts making noises.  I'll listen for any changes.
Thanks,
Steve

[05Train]

Other than recall work, nothing is "needed".   Ride your bike and enjoy it.  If/when something breaks, fix it.

[DJA]

   I have an 08 SEUC3 and keep(kept) reading about the issues with the 110 motor. After 5 years I wanted to make some changes to my ride. My mileage was 17,000 when I started the build. Nothing newer struck my fancy, so I made some upgrades to my ride. One that I am big on is a gear drive cam. I had the heads ported and polished, throttle body ported, 575 cams with new Chevy style progressive springs, adj. push rods, (probably should of had the crank welded but did not) new LED headlight and driving lights, lumbar backrest, new tour pack latches, and some other nick nacks. But most engine upgrades are listed. It was my winter build. Put one thousand miles on the build and filled the motor with Amsoil. Good to go. It was a 120/120 build.
Ended with 118 HP/128 Torq. Very happy with the results. I already have the SERT. It is a very dependable build that others have done. And I can say my mileage is the same. I may have lost 1 MPG but I think it is my more my righthand. The build was done by Harley for what little warranty I have, and the mechanic is very good and will tell you "you need this or Don't waste your money" He said since I do not live at 5,000 RPM the crank will be just fine. Keep in mind this is not a radical build. More of a "Let's make it better build".
     I guess what I'm trying to say is port and polish the heads, Port the throttle body, and new cams, gear drive, and push rods(adj.), New valve springs(that includes new bearing) but more importantly gets rid of the 180 lb. monsters that seem to be causing failures. Oil pump was not an issue for me but many will say oil pump too. One thing I did investigate was the oil filter. I went with KandP Engineering. Also one added item I will add when my new Commander IIs wear out is a new Baker +1 oil pan. These engines are oil and air cooled and 1 more quart of oil is huge.
Just some of my thoughts
Doug

[prodrag1320]

Other than recall work, nothing is "needed".   Ride your bike and enjoy it.  If/when something breaks, fix it.

i agree,ide check the lifters,you allready did the inner bearing.so dont look for the "doom & gloom",just enjoy it

[RayG]

I have the Baker +1 and it did nothing or very little.  There is no way adding one more quart of oil will have any long lasting effect on cooling.  I put mine on because it came with the True Track and I got it cheap.  I would not spend the money for another.  It's your money and your bike but after some thermal testing for heat the extra quart just took a little extra time to get to the same temperature.  I do agree that for longevity sake some efficient cooling would be very beneficial.  The current oil cooler is in a bad location and is easily damage by rocks or filled with gravel.  I would look at the Oil Bud and the Jagg 10 row cooler, I lean towards the Jagg.  My 08 has 65,000 on her.   

[Candy Cobalt]

Yeah, mine had the recall done, I may let the dealer do the $675 20K service and put new cam bearings in at that time.
I don't do burn outs or wheelies. 
-Good to know the compensator starts making noises.  I'll listen for any changes.
Thanks,
Steve

What kind of noise compensator makes when it happens?

[JKM]

Not sure about others, but my engine started to kick back on start-up.  I changed out the compensator and no more kick back and it shifts so much smoother.  bike only had 6K miles when I changed the compensator.  I'm sure it would have lasted much longer, but our riding season is short and didn't want to get caught with a busted compensator

[Steve_G]

Not sure about others, but my engine started to kick back on start-up.  I changed out the compensator and no more kick back and it shifts so much smoother.  bike only had 6K miles when I changed the compensator.  I'm sure it would have lasted much longer, but our riding season is short and didn't want to get caught with a busted compensator

My bike sometimes hesitates then grinds on start-up.  I wonder if it's the compensator or the starter gear?   

[cherryseeg2]

My money would be compensator.

[Candy Cobalt]

My bike sometimes hesitates then grinds on start-up.  I wonder if it's the compensator or the starter gear?   

Yes, That`s exactly how I should describe my bike doing.. How many seconds it takes? I´ve been thinking if this is about what`s the position of the pistons.. before starting up.

[Steve_G]

Yes, That`s exactly how I should describe my bike doing.. How many seconds it takes? I´ve been thinking if this is about what`s the position of the pistons.. before starting up.

Only hesitates -sometimes- for a second before grinding - then starting.  Dealer service dept. said they had no idea.  I think I'm going to ignore it and see what happens.  -Not sure what can be done.

[Candy Cobalt]

Only hesitates -sometimes- for a second before grinding - then starting.  Dealer service dept. said they had no idea.  I think I'm going to ignore it and see what happens.  -Not sure what can be done.

I feel you.. Please let us know if you will find out something.