John I used to have a boss just like that... problem was, he was so damned ugly and I couldn't get away from him long enough to even take a shower

I've never run a 3 phase, but considering the designed features and benefits, it's really the only way to go, especially if a stator and regulator go out same time. They're not horribly much more money. Seems I am always on a ride or just before one when my stuff dies so I replace what I have to with what I can get.... maybe some day...

Wonder how Windsore is getting along with his deal?

 

The problem I have with that is if you are out on the road, which I do with my bike, and you need a regulator, what are you going to do? It doesn't happen often, but if it does, it's nice to be able to pull into a HD stealership or an aftermarket place and get a regulator. If you have a 3 phase system, even if it is very good stuff, and it goes out on you and you are 500 or 1K miles from home, what do you do? FedEx in the replacement?

I needed a regulator in KC coming back from Sturgis in '03. Just went to a dealer and bought one and put it on in the parking lot (among some rather strange looks from the Twinky crowd). If it was a 3 phase from an aftermarket company, I would have had to trailer it home.

 

Lets see, I would get a room, call Compufire have them over night me the part. Then find a watering hole with an ample supply of Jack and decent looking barmaids, then rough it until the next day!!! The bike is a rolling test bed for the shop. So if we can't break it it is close to being foolproof.

But you do bring up a valid point.

 

Excellent point Dr.
Glad you mentioned that. I was contemplating taking my last army surplus suicide pill cause I couldn't afford a new charging system to replace mine... I only hesitated because it was past the expiration date and feared it'd make me ill.

And perhaps like yourself, I am most happy when I'm riding at least 2000 miles from the shed. I put an oil switch on in a dealership parking lot once - 8 minute job (it was hot) and I do know the type of looks you got... rather strange people on bikes these days, but I reckon they may think the same of guys like us. And everytime I seem those types, it reminds me of an old biker dive from years ago. There were 2 restrooms, marked "them" and "us"

 

Yeah. This pic was from '07, not my best trip to Sturgis. I am ready to call off the Fatwa on Canadians though (met some nice ones this time). I've posted it before:

Valve guide dropped out of the head from a cracked crossover pipe. 1.5 days lost time. My friend that used to own a dealership said taking the head off your bike behind the motel is pretty much a thing of the past.

The regulator in '03 was like 3 hours lost time, finding the dealer (went to the DC in KC by accident and someone there led me to the dealer), putting it on while the band played, watch the Twinky people with $500 leather jackets, etc. I had tried really hard to get the Sportster ready that year and I just couldn't get the carb jetted right and ran out of time, so we rode 2 up that trip. Really sucked when trying to run down parts.

Another thing, while I'm sure the 3 phase people are a good company and all, but are they going to be around in 20 years? What if you need a regulator then? Assuming The O hasn't banned internal combustion engines by that time, of course, I know that HD will have a regulator or at least be able to get me one pretty darn fast 20 years from now.

 

Remember HD has three phase systems now. So with a little rewiring( I am not sure if the plugs are the same, they look close from the outside.) it will work with the aftermarket 40 amp systems!

 

Was that a stock head? I mean, had the guide been replaced previously?

 

That was the original guide in the original head, at about 75K miles. I put new rings in the bike at around 55K miles when I did the base gaskets, otherwise the heads have never been off.

The machinist said the guide had just dropped down and could have been put back in, but I got a new one anyway. The valve was in good condition and was reused.

 

Now that's interesting - a part with a press-fit that dropped down (loose) and the "machinist" said it could have been re-used... I have a problem with that, or more correctly, the machinist.

I just had 2 guides installed in my spare heads. Now I'm tempted to tool-up and remove them to check his work...

Just can't find good help these days, ya know?