EVO All Evo Model Discussion

Magneti Marelli issues???

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 4, 2024 | 12:19 PM
  #1  
SparkyD's Avatar
SparkyD
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 798
Likes: 333
From: Washington State
Default Magneti Marelli issues???

Can't contain my curiosity any more. I've been hearing for a long time about Magneti Marelli systems being garbage so I'm asking for people to chime in and tell us exactly what is the problem with MM fuel injection systems???
 
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2024 | 01:31 PM
  #2  
eighteight's Avatar
eighteight
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 10,804
Likes: 7,430
From: OH
Default

It`s not that they are garbage
The problem is parts are getting hard to find and people conversant with repairs are even more rare
 

Last edited by eighteight; Nov 4, 2024 at 01:32 PM.
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2024 | 03:34 PM
  #3  
GOGOBECK's Avatar
GOGOBECK
Road Warrior
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 820
From: Moneta, Virginia
Default

I have a RK Classic with MM, it starts easily and runs great.
The only part I know of that is difficult to find is the ECM… there are always several available on eBay ($350-$500) from folks that have converted to carb.

You can buy one, change it out (so you know it works), and have a spare as insurance.
 
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2024 | 04:16 PM
  #4  
SparkyD's Avatar
SparkyD
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 798
Likes: 333
From: Washington State
Default

Originally Posted by GOGOBECK
I have a RK Classic with MM, it starts easily and runs great.
The only part I know of that is difficult to find is the ECM… there are always several available on eBay ($350-$500) from folks that have converted to carb.

You can buy one, change it out (so you know it works), and have a spare as insurance.
Doesn't someone make an aftermarket ECM?
 
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2024 | 04:23 PM
  #5  
djl's Avatar
djl
HDF Community Team
Veteran: Army
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 12,774
Likes: 2,606
From: san antonio
Community Team
Default

Agree with eighteight and would add the finding tuners that are familiar with the MM system are also hard to find. As long as the bike stays stock and the system holds up owners never experience these problems. However, if performance upgrades are planned, most going that route will convert to carb or Thundermax.
 
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2024 | 07:38 PM
  #6  
Evo-Wes's Avatar
Evo-Wes
Supporter
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 1,405
Likes: 4,846
From: Colorado
Supporter
Default

I have had no problems with the MM system. To be prepared a bit, I have purchased some replacement sensors to hedge against the day that one of my sensors might malfunction.
In my opinion, the MM got a bad rap because it was not something that the average shade tree mechanic could not work on. After that, the bad rap has remained as urban legend.
 

Last edited by Evo-Wes; Nov 4, 2024 at 07:39 PM.
Reply
Old Nov 5, 2024 | 02:04 PM
  #7  
Dano523's Avatar
Dano523
HDF Community Team
5 Year Member
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 1,434
Likes: 800
From: Colorado
Community Team
Default

Originally Posted by Evo-Wes
I have had no problems with the MM system. To be prepared a bit, I have purchased some replacement sensors to hedge against the day that one of my sensors might malfunction.
In my opinion, the MM got a bad rap because it was not something that the average shade tree mechanic could not work on. After that, the bad rap has remained as urban legend.

This, and it came out about the same time that everyone was screaming that robots where going to take their Jobs, hence evil technology.

Simply put, take the time to learn it/ how to wrench on it, and its not a problem. And trust me, little lucas fuel treatment in the fuel from time to time to keep the fuel system clean, and it will not be like a carb that your pulling apart every 4 years to rebuild (or at least clean) instead.
 
Reply
Old Nov 10, 2024 | 09:31 AM
  #8  
Hazmatmonkey's Avatar
Hazmatmonkey
Stage II
Joined: Jun 2024
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Cleveland
Default Parts ideas

[QUOTE=GOGOBECK;21858499]I have a RK Classic with MM, it starts easily and runs great.
The only part I know of that is difficult to find is the ECM… there are always several available on eBay ($350-$500) from folks that have converted to carb.

Anyone have ideas about these two springs? I finally got my idle corrected, fuel leak repaired, and fired it up. Runs like a dream. Go to take it out, now the throttle sticks. The small spring on the bottom has been gone for as long as i know, but the big cam lever spring might be going. Runs great up to 2nd gear, then craps out.
Anyone have ideas about these two springs? I finally got my idle corrected, fuel leak repaired, and fired it up. Runs like a dream. Go to take it out, now the throttle sticks. The small spring on the bottom has been gone for as long as i know, but the big cam lever spring might be going. Runs great up to 2nd gear, then craps out.
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Nov 10, 2024 | 09:52 AM
  #9  
Evo-Wes's Avatar
Evo-Wes
Supporter
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 1,405
Likes: 4,846
From: Colorado
Supporter
Default

If I understand how ECM are programmed you would need to obtain a used ECM that was programmed to the bike's state of tune.
My bike is a Screamin' Eagle II so I would need to obtain a used ECM that came from a bike that originally had the Screamin' Eagle II tune installed. A bike that had a Screamin' Eagle I tune needs to have an ECM that was programmed for that level of tune. If a bike was just stock tuned it would need the ECM for the stock setup.
This requirement of a pre-programmed ECM is necessary because you can no longer get the H-D MM program card for the different levels of tune. The cards were a one-time use.
If I am wrong, please chime in.
 

Last edited by Evo-Wes; Nov 10, 2024 at 10:25 AM.
Reply
Old Nov 10, 2024 | 10:18 AM
  #10  
1997bagger's Avatar
1997bagger
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,080
Likes: 2,153
From: Ohio
Default

Originally Posted by Evo-Wes
If I understand how ECM are programmed you would need to obtain a used ECM that was programmed to the bike's state of tune.
My bike is a Screamin' Eagle II so I would need to obtain a used ECM that came from a bike that originally had the Screamin' Eagle II tune installed. A bike that had a Screamin' Eagle I tune needs to have an ECM that was programmed for that level of tune. If a bike was just stock tuned it would need the ECM for the stock setup.
This requirement is because you can no longer get the H-D MM program card for the different levels of tune. The cards were a one-time use.
If I am wrong, please chime in.
The 97 & 98 ecm's are programmable, 96 is fixed. A stage 2 SE is only the rev limiter being raised by a flash cartridge, fuel addition is coming from red injectors plus SE3 cam using the same map, so don't look too deeply into this. If you need another ECM wanting the rpm's raised for a little more fuel a Power Commader is simple to use once getting past stage fright.

Your SE tuners on the newer bikes lock into the ecm and mated for a 1 time use, that M&M is a prehistoric spray but simplicity has it's place in the real world.

 

Last edited by 1997bagger; Nov 10, 2024 at 10:29 AM.
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:59 PM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE