Milwaukee Eight Service Introduction
Mike RoenDescription
How to Service a Milwaukee Eight Introduction: 37 Step Checklist
Harley-Davidson designated the Milwaukee Eight (M8) as the power-plant for Touring and Softail models (Softail videos Here). (Dyna I miss you)
We are excited to bring you the Milwaukee Eight service videos to follow along with your factory service manual. We switched it up a little here at Fix My Hog. Our members asked us to show a video for each specific procedure on the service checklist. Get your manual, your checklist for model and year differences and grab some tools, we delivered what you asked for.
We might step off the chart here and there but we cover all required service procedures for the Harley M8. Click on each title to go to the video. On each video page, at the bottom of the video description you will find a link back to this checklist.
Tools and Products – Here are a couple links from Bob LaRosa on tools and products they use daily at the shop.
Drain Oil, Transmission and Primary Fluids – We already went off book. Fact is if you are going to do your fluids it’s best to let them drain while you start your checklist.
Check Operation of Electrical Equipment and Switches – Every Service 1k, 5k, 10k, 15k, 20k, 25k, 30k, 35k, 40k, 45k – or basically every 5k after your 1,000 mile service. *k=1,000 miles
Check Front Tire Pressure and Inspect Tread – Every Service 1k, 5k, 10k, 15k, 20k, 25k, 30k, 35k, 40k, 45k – or basically every 5k after your 1,000 mile service. *k=1,000 miles
Check Front Wheel Spoke Tightness (if equipped) – Every 1k, 5k, 20k, 35k – Looks like every 15k after your 1k and 5k.
How To Remove Milwaukee Eight Gas Tank – Again off book but this will give a better view and prep us for spark plug R&R.
Inspect Front Brake Fluid and Replace – Inspect every service, Replace every 2yrs or sooner if moisture content is 3% or greater.
Inspect Clutch Fluid System for Leaks, Contact or Abrasion – Replace Fluid – Inspect every service, Replace every 2yrs or sooner if moisture content is 3% or greater.
Check Hand Control Fastener Switch Housing Screw Torque – 1k, 10k, 20k, 30k and so on.
Check Clutch Lever Handlebar Clamp Screw Torque – 1k, 10k, 20k, 30k and so on
Check Master Cylinder Handlebar Clamp Screw – 1k, 10k, 20k, 30k and so on
Inspect, Lubricate and Adjust Steering Head Bearing – 25k – Also check out this procedure on the Twin Cam
Inspect Windshield Bushings (if applicable) – Every 10k
Inspect Air Cleaner, Service as Required – Every 5k
Oil, Transmission and Primary Drain Plug Installation – Once again, off book, but if you are doing all your fluids this is the way to work.
Replace Oil Filter and Engine Oil – 1k and every 5K
Replace Primary Chaincase Lubricant – 1k and every 10k
Replace Transmission Lubricant – 1k and every 20k
Check Engine Coolant Freeze Point, Inspect for Leaks – Every service
Clean Radiators or Oil Cooler – Every service
Replace Coolant – Every 30k
Inspect Rear Brake Fluid at Level – Every service
Flush Rear Brake System and Replace DOT 4 Fluid – Inspect every service, Replace every 2yrs or sooner if moisture content is 3% or greater.
Inspect Rear Brake Pads and Discs for Wear and Replace – Inspect every service, Replace as needed
Check Front Axle Nut Torque – 1k, and every 10k
Inspect and Lubricate Jiffy Stand – Every service
Check, Adjust, Lubricate Brake and Clutch Controls – Every service
Check Rear Wheel Spoke Tightness (if equipped) – Every 1k, 5k, 20k, 35k – Looks like every 15k after your 1k and 5k.
Check Rear Tire Pressure, Inspect Tread – Every service, before every ride
Inspect & Adjust Drive Belt, Sprockets, Rear Axle Nut Torque – Every service but rear axle nut 1k and every 10k
Inspect Rear Sprocket Isolators for Wear – With each tire change
Inspect Front Brake Pads and Discs for Wear and Replace – Inspect every service, Replace as needed
Battery Check, Clean and Removal – Check battery, terminal torque and clean connections annually.
Replace Spark Plugs – Every two years or 30,000 whichever comes first.
How To Install Milwaukee Eight Gas Tank / Lube Fuel Hinge and Latch – Lube every service
Verify Component and System Functions / Safety Check – Every time you work on you motorcycle and pre ride.
Final Fluid Check – After Service and before a ride. Mike finishes the M8 service and gives his closing comments.
Inspect and Adjust Rear Shocks – We did not see on checklist. Good to look over with every service
High milage services:
Rebuild Front Forks – Every 50k
Fuel Filter – Every 100k
Everybody, it's Mike Roen on Fix My Hog. Got a great project lined up for you today. We finally got our hands on a new Milwaukee-eight. It's a 107 cubic inch, and fortunately for this guy he's retired. So he actually got to ride his motorcycle this summer and he's basically approaching 20,000 miles. So whether you're new to the Harley game or you're just upgrading from a twin cam, what we're going to do today is we're pretty much going to go over everything that's listed in your owner's manual. If you look in the back, they've got a detailed little maintenance schedule here, and it kind of goes over everything that gets done at every interval. There's a wide variety of them, but more importantly, what you're really going to want to do, if you've invested the $30,000 in a motorcycle, go out and spend another a hundred bucks buy the factory manual. If you're going to be attempting any of this maintenance on your own, you're going to want to have this to refer to how to properly do this. And it might look a little intimidating with all these boxes and checks and all that, but if you do this maintenance yourself you're going to save literally thousands of dollars. The question I get a lot is, "Is it gonna void my warranty?". And no, it's not. What Harley's looking for is proof that you've done the maintenance and at the proper intervals. So, what we're recommending is if you're going to do the maintenance yourself save all your receipts, document everything, have it dated the mileage, just so you have proof that you have been doing the maintenance and that's really what Harley's looking forward to honor your warranty. What we're going to do here first, before we get started, we usually put a little heat in the bike because we want to be able to drain all the fluids, get all the impurities out. and then we're gonna get right back into the whole checklist and go through the whole procedure.
Would you please add a video on adjusting the clutch/clutch cable on the 2021 touring bikes.
How to check if rear brake fluid is leaking from reservoir I noticed it was a little oily on top inoticed the level of the fluid later next night at gas station i noticed it was lower than beforehand 2021iron883
What the spake plug gap for 2018 flhtkse with a 117?
I have a 2017 ultra and I am not very mechanical but I am going to Europe with this bike for 6 months what tools do you recommend to take along
Thanks for the M8 coverage. I bought a 2017 Freewheeler in June, 17 & love it & I take care of it myself.