The build date is on the frame label on the left down tube. You can tell the year model by the 10th character of the VIN. The VIN on the engine and frame should match.

• The 10th Digit Is The Year Of Manufacturer. I - O = 2017 – 2023, Respectively. (I = 2017, J = 2018, K = 2019, L = 2020 Etc)

Paul

 

The MOCO skips "I" & "O" to designate the year.
H=2017
J=2018
N=2022
P=2023

 

if you think it's such a mystery, post up your vin and we'll decode it for you. you can even use 'x' for the last 6 if you're extremely paranoid. also post up your engine vin as well. it should be an abbreviated version of the bike's vin so consequently, the numbers should match. if they don't, someone has replaced the engine on you.

 

First post of the thread...

1HD1FBC26NB605050

 

Where exactly did you hear this? I have never heard this.

There is a lot of panic in this post, aside from being very hard to read.

 

It's not clear if this owner has a problem with his bike or not. You can go on Harley's serviceinfo... website and run your Vin # and see any recalls and some history.
I had a M8 107, road the snot out of it for 24,000 miles before I sold it. I currently have an M8 114, great bike, I put 8000 miles on that last summer and I'm just getting it out this season, so far, no issues. I don't bother with researching potential issues on any of them.
If you're that concerned get a 103, I have a softail, great bike, with 21000 trouble free miles on that too,

 

I have a '22 that now has 20k miles on it it. It's perfect and doesn't burn (or leak) a drop of oil in 5k miles. That video is five years old and the guy sounds like he's a home-grown expert (not a bad thing) without any of the engineering details for that design. He's projecting what he knows about the older designs onto the new engine which, though very similar, is a different engine. When he made the video, the engine was still a new design and he had no experience with them in particular. He's didn't mention whether he'd made any mods either.

Long story short, you are WAY overreacting to old information. Just ride the bike and put the paranoia away.

 

Every HD technician I know has told me early M8s had plenty of sumping issues and valve seat issues and now they are dealing with M8 intake manifold issues. These guys have no reason to be passing on false information but I guess it could be possible. I looked at a few pre-2020 M8s before I bought my 2014 TC and all the techs told me replace the oil pump parts immediately with the 2020 version.

As to what percentage of early M8 engines had sumping and valve seat issues and failures I do not know. As to what percentage of M8 engines had intake issues and failures I do not know. The techs told me the sumping issue was addressed and resolved before the end of 2019. At Bike Nights you will hear stories from riders who have never had an issue with their early M8 and you will hear stories from riders who have had very bad failures. I think we can say the same for some models from some auto, boat, etc. OEMs. Remember the infamous Honda Uni-Cam MX engine? It was a complete disaster when first released and was a ticking time bomb.

As we all know the early TCs had issues as well and, like the early M8s, some riders had zero issues and some riders had very bad failures. Like the TC surely HD has addressed and resolved these M8 issues by now. Not too sure about what was done with that composite intake...

The potential for power from the M8 and its four-valve head eclipses that of the old TC but power without dependability, durability, and reliability is of little value. There is no way I would trade my 2014 103HO TC for an early 107 M8 but I think I could consider a later 114 or 117 M8. Not so much for the engine but more so for the other upgrades in sound, suspension, etc.

In closing... I would be just as concerned about an early M8 as I would be concerned about an early TC...

 

1HD = manufactured for sale in the US

1 = Heavyweight class

FB = FLHR

C = M-8 107" Engine / 1745cc

2 = California

6 = check number

N = 2022

B = York, PA

605050 = Production number for that specific bike. The same as last 6 digits of EIN (engine identification number) of engine installed at the factory in that specific bike.

 

How about this: my 2017 M8 107 is running fine in the Southern heat after 42,000 miles. Oh, but I did have both head gaskets fail around 20,000 miles. Other than that, all is good.