M8 owners please read.

[Flipfly]

I’ve only got second-hand information at the moment X2 . I’ve been laid up with the pox, so haven’t got over to look myself. If you’ve been to that level, I have no doubt you’ve seen it. So now we have a real problem. If it was fitted correctly, how on Earth did the bypass occur. The excess in the primary (250ml) coincided with the loss in the gearbox, so there’s no doubt it did occur. When you compared it, I presume you partially dissembled the primary on Phil’s bike to compare? At that point, was there any excess of oil? I’m hoping to get over later this week to talk it through.

I’ll say it one more time, in case anyone thinks otherwise. I’m happy with the bike and Phil. It’s what we discussed and agreed.

However, it is important to work out the cause, to prevent repeat and hand findings on to other owners.

The selector fork is not bent, it is worn. Giving enough play to not fully engage the cog, hence it dropping out under load.

You don’t need to keep saying your happy buddy, we know the deal was right

We didn’t remove the primary to use the vent as a reference, it was more to see where about it is fitted.

I have been mindful of oil transfer from the day I bought the bike, and checked it had the vent, so I am certain it’s there. The lack of oil transfer up to the trip to Spain (10k miles of no transfer riding) means that the vent is not the only fix as previously suggested. Admittedly it fixed the transfer on my brothers bike, but the question is, will it continue to save it or will it randomly change as mine did.

The fat rod and the primary vent is a must in hindsight. There’s plenty about this on the American Facebook groups, where the primary vent has fixed the problem for some, and not for others. It’s really strange that mine was fine and then suddenly changed, the only big difference being the long days, longer stints at a steady 75-80mph and the warmer temperatures (but it wasn’t absolutely scorching.

I’m sure you’ll get to the bottom of it, but there’s definitely something amiss with the M8 hydraulic clutch transmission in general that I would never be able to trust. I know I have been unlucky and most will never have an issue, but there’s too many cases in the US that suggests there’s an issue if you intend to do the type of riding we did to get to Spain.

 

[squibb34]

But how far as the previous owner ridden with no oil in the gearbox….If I was Big Si I’m afraid it would be rejection time….

Absolutely.

It's annoying but important to act promptly &, incidentally, touch nothing else on the bike. No DIY whatsoever, however tempting it may be to investigate.

Take no BS either, coz you will get plenty - we had a similar scenario with my wife's car, after some chimp doing a pre-delivery oil change forgot to tighten the sump plug.

 

[Big Si]

Obviously it depends on the conversation that is to be had tomorrow when the salesman arrives back at his desk in the morning after his day off today and sees my email. I was aware that as far as he knew (and he allegedly checked with Belfast H-D) that the bike had not had the primary vent fix ( now to be known as the PVF). Belfast H-D stated that they didn't offer it unless a bike showed symptoms.

I don't suppose Charles Hurst Honda of N.I. want to cart my GSA back and collect back the RKS from all the way over there. I would imagine a man and a van, 2 ferry trips and an overnight stay is not cheap!

My proposal is to ask them what they want to do. Even if they take it back, they still have a bike that a) has oil transfer from the transmission to the primary, or b) has not been maintained to a proper standard i.e. low oil in transmission.

I would welcome advice here but my proposal would be for them to pay for a quick gearbox inspection by an authorised third party, followed by supply and fit of the PVF.

Another alternative is to drain the primary to check level, refill to correct level. Then fill transmission to correct level and keep my eye on both. ( Bearing in mind I don't ride in the depths of winter much).

Any thoughts?

(edit. I was writing this before I saw squibb 34's post above)

 

[twizzle]

I would put the ball into the dealers court…. Just state no oil in gearbox… ….= massive concern…then reject the bike and tell them to come and get it…

Charles Hurst are a big chain…… collection is a small cost to them

 

[squibb34]

@Big Si - CH are part of Lookers Motor Group, so should have plenty of wool on their back. Their error, their problem - reject it now, there are/will be other RKSs out there.

An absence of gearbox oil is unforgiveable - we have seen the implications in this very thread. Reading your post, I detect a desire to give them a chance to rectify matters but, think about it, it is highly unlikely that they will do more than top off the gearbox oil, correct the primary & send you away, to own the long term risk. Oh, & drown you in copious dealer bullshit.

 

[Big Si]

@Big Si - CH are part of Lookers Motor Group, so should have plenty of wool on their back. Their error, their problem - reject it now, there are/will be other RKSs out there.

An absence of gearbox oil is unforgiveable - we have seen the implications in this very thread. Reading your post, I detect a desire to give them a chance to rectify matters but, think about it, it is highly unlikely that they will do more than top off the gearbox oil, correct the primary & send you away, to own the long term risk. Oh, & drown you in copious dealer bullshit.

I hear what you are saying and I agree with you. However I like the bike, it has all the bells and whistles and other than the gearbox oil issue ( a fecking big issue I admit) it ticked all the boxes for me. They also gave me a really good price on the GSA which was a major deal maker on my part. You are right though, the implications for the gearbox are potentially huge and it would always be in the back of my mind.
At this point, if they gave me the total price of the bike back as they had it advertised and kept the GSA, I would be happy........I think.

They couldn't just top up the gearbox oil and correct the primary level, we are 100's of miles and the Irish sea apart.

 

[twizzle]

Just had a look at their accounts … sitting on £69 million pounds worth of stock…………don’t worry about the fiscal impact of rejection on them!!!!

 

[Big Si]

Just had a look at their accounts … sitting on £69 million pounds worth of stock…………don’t worry about the fiscal impact of rejection on them!!!!

Stock costs money....they could be skint. Either way, their sensibilities are the last thing I'm worried about hurting.

 

[twizzle]

Stock costs money....they could be skint. Either way, their sensibilities are the last thing I'm worried about hurting.

£39m in cash…..

 

[Toddmeister]

IF they agreed to an Independent gearbox inspection to verify no damage and paid for the vent kit to be installed (and maybe a 1 year warranty) I reckon you’d be a happy bunny!

I guess it all comes down to what they are prepared to do for you!

 

[twizzle]

See how you feel after a good nights sleep…. It’s disappointing and frustrating…and more than anything a wind up that burns head space.

 

[squibb34]

IF they agreed to an Independent gearbox inspection to verify no damage and paid for the vent kit to be installed (and maybe a 1 year warranty) I reckon you’d be a happy bunny!

I guess it all comes down to what they are prepared to do for you!

How does that work I wonder? Surely Big Si needs to walk away, reject the bike & let someone else get lumbered with the long term risk.

It's a huge expensive job for any non-franchise dealer to get the RKS gearbox stripped down & checked independently - I'd venture to say it aint going to happen in real life; only in the imaginary World of dealer bullshit.

 

[Mezza]

Guys, I guess this is the gearbox vent ?? (viewed from the right hand side of the bike)

 

[Deleted account 240901001]

How does that work I wonder? Surely Big Si needs to walk away, reject the bike & let someone else get lumbered with the long term risk.

It's a huge expensive job for any non-franchise dealer to get the RKS gearbox stripped down & checked independently - I'd venture to say it aint going to happen in real life; only in the imaginary World of dealer bullshit.

It’s not as big a job as you think for a decent spanner…

 

[Deleted account 240901001]

Guys, I guess this is the gearbox vent ?? (viewed from the right hand side of the bike)

Yes…��

 

[Toddmeister]

How does that work I wonder? Surely Big Si needs to walk away, reject the bike & let someone else get lumbered with the long term risk.

It's a huge expensive job for any non-franchise dealer to get the RKS gearbox stripped down & checked independently - I'd venture to say it aint going to happen in real life; only in the imaginary World of dealer bullshit.

See post 183 half way down, Big Si suggested this as a potential way to resolve.

None of us know yet what the Dealer will offer, and ultimately it’s Si’s purchase, his bike, his risk and only he can decide if he’s happy.

Fortunately Si is no mug, and I’m sure he won’t fall for any “Dealer Bullshit”

Fingers crossed for you Si, let us know how it goes tomorrow

 

[Toddmeister]

Yes…��

…..but it’s not a Primary Vent



….and your bike is nearly as dirty as mine!!!!

 

[Big Si]

See how you feel after a good nights sleep…. It’s disappointing and frustrating…and more than anything a wind up that burns head space.

You're not wrong there........

 

[Big Si]

Does anyone know exactly what my rights are in law regarding this? Anyone else experienced similar?

 

[Mezza]

…..but it’s not a Primary Vent



….and your bike is nearly as dirty as mine!!!!

I thought it was quite clean until I took the photos

So now that I have both vents, whats the next worry ?