Head gasket issues?

[86fxwg]

Buddy has a 17 street glide w/107 stock. Blew rear head gasket 15000 miles,said supposedly this is an issue. Anyone had issues with stock bikes & head gasket issues?
86

[rigidthumper]

There have been some issues with headbolts breaking on their second use, which would result in a leaking head gasket. Supposed to be replaced every time if stock, or you can get reusable aftermarket bolts.

[JSD]

There have been some issues with headbolts breaking on their second use, which would result in a leaking head gasket. Supposed to be replaced every time if stock, or you can get reusable aftermarket bolts.

[86fxwg]

Guess the day wasn't a waste! Good to know!
Thank gent's!

86

[Oclaf]

Buddy has a 17 street glide w/107 stock. Blew rear head gasket 15000 miles,said supposedly this is an issue. Anyone had issues with stock bikes & head gasket issues?
86

First I have read/heard, if its on the interwebs, its true, so yeah, an issue...LOL

[Hossamania]

Excessive failure of head gaskets on the 107 has not seemed to be an issue on this site as far as I can tell. That tells me it is generally not an issue.

[Dan89flstc]

There have been some issues with headbolts breaking on their second use, which would result in a leaking head gasket. Supposed to be replaced every time if stock, or you can get reusable aftermarket bolts.

The 2019 Factory Service Manual does not call for new cylinder head bolts.

[Ohio HD]

The 2019 Factory Service Manual does not call for new cylinder head bolts.

The 2020 Manual does. Same head bolt.

[Ohio HD]

The SE head bolts are advertised as reusable.

[jamminhd2000]

Buddy has a 17 street glide w/107 stock. Blew rear head gasket 15000 miles,said supposedly this is an issue. Anyone had issues with stock bikes & head gasket issues?
86

Seen this problem quite a few times in my shop...usually 2017 with the same amount of miles...jimmy

[Hossamania]

Buddy has a 17 street glide w/107 stock. Blew rear head gasket 15000 miles,said supposedly this is an issue. Anyone had issues with stock bikes & head gasket issues?
86

Seen this problem quite a few times in my shop...usually 2017 with the same amount of miles...jimmy

That is interesting, first time I've heard of this being an issue, being so specific to one type of failure, and I'm kind of a nerd when it comes to following HDs. Thanks for that info.

[kd]

There was some discussion here (in the last year I believe) that includsed a link to a video with / about the reusable head bolts at a Harley dealer that does engine builds.

[To The Max]

Pulled a couple of heads of a early 107 and the machining was less than ideal, in the early days there was a few thing said about it on this site. I think get the head surface machined

[ziggy24]

There was some discussion here (in the last year I believe) that includsed a link to a video with / about the reusable head bolts at a Harley dealer that does engine builds.

this? 

[Sunny Jim]

Pulled a couple of heads of a early 107 and the machining was less than ideal, in the early days there was a few thing said about it on this site. I think get the head surface machined

And retension the studs in the crankcase before assembling!!!!! They come loose.

[kd]

There was some discussion here (in the last year I believe) that includsed a link to a video with / about the reusable head bolts at a Harley dealer that does engine builds.

this? 

The lesson in that video is to take your time and check your work.  I mean what's the rush anyway?  Knowing how the fasteners can pull down unevenly, I have always used smaller steps and double checked (like in the video) all of the way to final torque.  It became obvious to me what happens and how to mitigate uneven stud effect.   And BTW, you don't need a fancy digital torque wrench to do it.  Just a good accurate one.