What the heck is a stator?

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Jan 18, 2011 | 09:47 AM

#41

parts eeter

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From: NC

Quote:

Originally Posted by skidder

The oil I use in there is Belray primary chaincase lube and I did fry a stator on a trip to L.A., the mechanic told me sometimes they just fry out for no particular reason. I took his word for it as it was under warranty anyways. Still it got me thinking about the oil I use in there, it,s an 80 wt, same formula thats used in my dirtbike just a different bottle.

Skidder, Oil quality has little to no affect on stator life. Weak old batteries,too many 12v accessories are the main killer here. If a guy switches out to a dry belt drive the stator has NO oil anyways, as its not required for the clutch nor the stator.

Quote:

Originally Posted by StreetSalvation

Had this happen to mine. The only bad part was it just came back from the dealer. They had it for the primary bearing replacement under warranty back in 07. I get it back and two weeks later, I had a charging issue. The last thing I checked was my stator/rotor. Boy was I hot. When I was doing mechanics, we had a 12in rule. Look over everything within 12 to 24inches away from where you working for tight fasteners and that everything looked great. I don't think this was the deal at the dealer. So I had to replace it. I bolted the rotor back together with grade 8 bolts and locktite. Crossing my fingers it doesnt come back.

You better remove that rotor and tack weld those bolts into the rotor, They WILL come out and trash your stator again. No matter how much Loctite you used.

Jan 18, 2011 | 10:27 AM

#42

skidder

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From: Calgary

Thanks partseeter. I'm still getting conflicting info on my choice of oil for the primary, 80 wt. may be to thick. Is it?

Jan 18, 2011 | 01:07 PM

#43

parts eeter

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From: NC

Quote:

Originally Posted by skidder

Thanks partseeter. I'm still getting conflicting info on my choice of oil for the primary, 80 wt. may be to thick. Is it?

In my opinion I want petroleum based standard oil in on my clutches. I weigh 265 and its very easy for me to notice a slip in my clutch. I have found that standard 10w40 Castrol GTX works best for me. If I use a premium synthetic based oil no matter what brand or how wet clutch friendly its supposed to be, I notice a softer hit when I launch my bike.

Many guys swear that the stock clutch performs just fine, so I may just expect alot out of my bike. I spent many years on high HP machines, and no matter what bike I bought. First thing I did was order Heavy Duty clutch springs. To this day I havent found a clutch that was sufficient in stock form. The manufacturers do this so guys wont complain about arm fatigue due to heavy lever pull.

I have tried almost every brand of high end motorcycle oil and absolutely nothing outperforms good ole Castrol 10w40 castrol GTX automotive grade for motorcycles like HD that have seperate tranny fluid, engine oil, and clutch oil like HDs are setup. This is my opinion and others may differ, but I do spend some days at the drag strip and run a wide sticky back tire also. The stock clutch gave up EZ after 1 pass on the drag strip, so I had to upgrade to Screamin Eagle stuff. That combined with the oil I mentioned I can easily make 3-4 passes in a row and my clutch never slips.

I tried 20w 50 before and my bike tried to creep when the clutch was pulled in, so yes I would definitely say 80wt is way too thick. I have buddies that question my choices on oil also. I know what works best for me and what different oils have done as well. So I just blow em off.
When they start ranting on what oil works best for them, just ask them what differences they noticed between brand X and brand Y? Chances are you will get a blank stare. Then you can disregard anything else they say as well!

Last edited by parts eeter; Jan 18, 2011 at 01:21 PM.

Jan 18, 2011 | 04:22 PM

#44

skidder

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From: Calgary

Ok, but an 80 wt. gear oil is about a 10w40 motor oil wt. equal. I don't get any kind of drag or any slippage at all. The clutch works great with the 80 wt. Belray. All I need to know is if the oil affects the stator in any way and if thats why they sometimes fail. I hate to be a stick in the mud but I gots to know.

Jan 18, 2011 | 05:37 PM

#45

xxxflhrci

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I have heard the theory that the "wrong oil" eats the varnish off the coil windings...I heard that a decade ago and decided not to test it and have only ran HD primary fluid (the old stuff). With that said, I have 11 years and 81k miles on my original charging system. That doesn't prove the theory, it just proves I'm superstitious...LOL.

Jan 18, 2011 | 07:13 PM

#46

parts eeter

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From: NC

Quote:

Originally Posted by skidder

Nope.... The oil is not even required by the stator.

Jan 18, 2011 | 07:55 PM

#47

skidder

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From: Calgary

Quote:

Originally Posted by parts eeter

Nope.... The oil is not even required by the stator.

It still makes contact with the oil in some manner, doesn't it. An earlier post said it helps cool the coils also. If it does make contact with the oil can the wrong oil hurt the stator in some manner? I just want others to know the correct answer so no one else fry's there stator because of the oil they use.

Jan 18, 2011 | 10:12 PM

#48

parts eeter

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From: NC

Quote:

Originally Posted by skidder

Yes, since the stator is in contact with the primary oil naturally the oil carries away some heat. I have never had any negative experience with any motorcycle specific/ auto specific synthetic, semi synthetic, or petroleum based 10w40 or 20w50 oils degrading my stators on any brand of motorcycle. The pictures of the stator I posted in this thread had 15k miles on it and it still was in pristine condition as indicated by the appearance. That stator was exposed to all of the oils above mentioned with no issues.
The guys most likely to overstress their stators are the bagger guys with all of the running lights, radios, heated suits, heated grips and 12v add ons. I suppose if I had a bagger that I would avoid a dry belt open primary as stator temps could be much higher than I experience with my stripped down bike and oil could add life in this scenario. These guys also typically run these accessories while covering many more miles than a typical rider so naturally the stator can become heat soaked when a guy rides 1000 miles in one sitdown while jamming some Allman Brothers the whole way!
However I would still run standard Castrol GTX 10w40 auto oil.