Esteemed forum experts,

Is the round plate in the pic below necessary? I want to remove it before it falls off and I lose it on the highway. I need to buy new screws and Loctite this weekend:
(Apologies for the image size)

 

This is called “the timer cover”.
On older Sportsters it covers “the points” that adjust / set the timing. I would not ride without the cover on. On modern Sportsters with electronic ignition there is an internal blanking plate seal under the cover, so for a short time perhaps, if you can absolutely need to, you could ride without the cover on.

 

That's where the patented "potato-potato" sound device is installed.

Earlier bikes like mine (1991) have an electronic ignition, before that they covered the ignition points. I don't think they have anything there anymore, as they use the crank position sensor for timing. If you look at really old Sportsters before 1970 there is no "timing hump" as they used magneto or distributor (timer) systems.

John

 

Pull the cover and look, it's a good place to start to learn your bike.

 

Used to be a cover for the points https://www.liveabout.com/classic-bi...systems-743299

It's basically ornamental at this point. Remove it and you'll find nothing under there on your 2007 xl.

See here:

( efi gear cover)

 

Some people have used it to hide an extra key.

 

All the above is true, but......my curiosity is piqued. Why are you asking??

 

Might want to loose the Fugly gold cover

 

Thats a brilliant idea. I zip tied a spare under my seat.

 

Just put the key on your dogtag chain and carry it around your neck or put it in your pocket.
Because you'd still need to have a torx driver handy to get the cover off if you needed the key.
Just sayin'