Voltage Regulator Recall
It affects all models but only those built during a specific time period for which I don't have the dates in front of me to tell you what they are.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
Likes: 306
From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
Come on no need to be so brash about it. I get it and I know it takes time to fill orders. I'm not ignorant to the situation. Perhaps I was little to critical of the situation but tell me why the MoCo decides NOT to notify consumers about the problem but rather leave it to you to find out?
A simple letter stating the problem and the effort they are making to fulfill the orders isn't all that difficult to do.
I see no effort on their part to explain it other than a litle blurb.
These problems are not unique to the Motorcycle world so maybe they should take a cue from the Auto Makers.
I shouldn't have to find out about this from a non affiliated Internet Forum.
A simple letter stating the problem and the effort they are making to fulfill the orders isn't all that difficult to do.
I see no effort on their part to explain it other than a litle blurb.
These problems are not unique to the Motorcycle world so maybe they should take a cue from the Auto Makers.
I shouldn't have to find out about this from a non affiliated Internet Forum.
As I posted 2.5 weeks ago here in a thread on 6/12/12, this is a Service Bulletin.
If you read the Service Bulletin, specifically the section labeled "Customer Notification", the reason you have not yet been notified is explained, and IMO, was a smart choice on the MoCo's part.
Much like any other manufacturer in this situation, mass notification is being delayed to allow the dealers to service critical needs (broken bikes) first.
This problem involves a high failure rate part, but it is not currently affecting every bike with this part. As can be seen on these forums, many Harleys sold see relatively low annual mileage and many of these may not experience a regulator issue in the near term, if at all.
Had the MoCo immediately flooded the customer base with Service Bulletin notifications on this issue, YOU would likely not have received such a quick turn around on your repair. Your bike would likely still be sitting in line behind a flock of other bikes that were brought in because of the notification, but as yet were not experiencing a problem. And, the regulator you needed would have likely been Out Of Stock, because it was used on a bike that didn't have a current problem, but fell under the notification.
I'm certainly not a great defender of the MoCo and all of their practices, but IMO, this unfortunate problem is being handled about as well as can be expected.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 7,604
Likes: 38
From: Landrum, SC , elevation 986'
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
Likes: 306
From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
First, you labeled this thread about the regulator problem a RECALL, this is not. Recalls involve safety issues.
As I posted 2.5 weeks ago here in a thread on 6/12/12, this is a Service Bulletin.
If you read the Service Bulletin, specifically the section labeled "Customer Notification", the reason you have not yet been notified is explained, and IMO, was a smart choice on the MoCo's part.
Much like any other manufacturer in this situation, mass notification is being delayed to allow the dealers to service critical needs (broken bikes) first.
This problem involves a high failure rate part, but it is not currently affecting every bike with this part. As can be seen on these forums, many Harleys sold see relatively low annual mileage and many of these may not experience a regulator issue in the near term, if at all.
Had the MoCo immediately flooded the customer base with Service Bulletin notifications on this issue, YOU would likely not have received such a quick turn around on your repair. Your bike would likely still be sitting in line behind a flock of other bikes that were brought in because of the notification, but as yet were not experiencing a problem. And, the regulator you needed would have likely been Out Of Stock, because it was used on a bike that didn't have a current problem, but fell under the notification.
I'm certainly not a great defender of the MoCo and all of their practices, but IMO, this unfortunate problem is being handled about as well as can be expected.
As I posted 2.5 weeks ago here in a thread on 6/12/12, this is a Service Bulletin.
If you read the Service Bulletin, specifically the section labeled "Customer Notification", the reason you have not yet been notified is explained, and IMO, was a smart choice on the MoCo's part.
Much like any other manufacturer in this situation, mass notification is being delayed to allow the dealers to service critical needs (broken bikes) first.
This problem involves a high failure rate part, but it is not currently affecting every bike with this part. As can be seen on these forums, many Harleys sold see relatively low annual mileage and many of these may not experience a regulator issue in the near term, if at all.
Had the MoCo immediately flooded the customer base with Service Bulletin notifications on this issue, YOU would likely not have received such a quick turn around on your repair. Your bike would likely still be sitting in line behind a flock of other bikes that were brought in because of the notification, but as yet were not experiencing a problem. And, the regulator you needed would have likely been Out Of Stock, because it was used on a bike that didn't have a current problem, but fell under the notification.
I'm certainly not a great defender of the MoCo and all of their practices, but IMO, this unfortunate problem is being handled about as well as can be expected.
If a bike shuts down in the middle of traffic is that not a safety issue? And you know this problem could very possibly happen.
I'm not asking for them to send out a notification to ALL 2012 Harley owners. They obviously know what bikes are affected and which ones aren't. Those who have registered their VINs on the MoCo website either got a notification or they didn't so that tells me they know EXACTLY what bikes are affected.
As it was the regulator I needed was out of stock when I took it in and they had to rob it from elsewhere.
There are better ways to handle this and I personally think they did poorly at it.
Agree or disagree with me but that's how I see it.
Road Master
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 946
Likes: 8
From: USA/CA
Granted, I have no clear idea of how the VR fails in this case, but if the bike suddenly shuts down while you are going 70mph on a HW, it could be really bad news.
So if that is the case, flagging this as non safety issue is a little bit on the easy side.
OTOH if the bike just does not restart after being shut down, that it is clearly a different issue.
About the cycle electric thing, you are saying that even not faulty HD VRs, aren't that great, and have high failure rate anyway?
I took a look at their web site, and they do not seem to have a fit for a 2012 Sportster.
I got that they are basically mostly the same, modulo different wiring harnesses, right?
Having never taken an HD VR apart, does the wiring harness simply unplug from the VR (hence, it can be reused with the new VR - so you can get a raw VR w/out wiring), or you need to get the full VR plus matching wiring harness?
So if that is the case, flagging this as non safety issue is a little bit on the easy side.
OTOH if the bike just does not restart after being shut down, that it is clearly a different issue.
About the cycle electric thing, you are saying that even not faulty HD VRs, aren't that great, and have high failure rate anyway?
I took a look at their web site, and they do not seem to have a fit for a 2012 Sportster.
I got that they are basically mostly the same, modulo different wiring harnesses, right?
Having never taken an HD VR apart, does the wiring harness simply unplug from the VR (hence, it can be reused with the new VR - so you can get a raw VR w/out wiring), or you need to get the full VR plus matching wiring harness?
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
I had the same issue.......Iron with less then 300 miles on it, had to wait 3 weeks for the new part. The bike runs great now.....I called factory HD direct, to voice my disappointment in that my bike had less then 300 miles and it was going to be out of service for 3 weeks in peak riding season........If it was an isolated event they would have next day aired the part, but the problem was the new fixed model were not available yet and 6 months worth of production bikes had the same issue....................Mine happened in extreme heat, it was at least 93 degrees out....Just get it to the dealership so you're not wasting valuable riding time
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 7,604
Likes: 38
From: Landrum, SC , elevation 986'
Granted, I have no clear idea of how the VR fails in this case, but if the bike suddenly shuts down while you are going 70mph on a HW, it could be really bad news.
So if that is the case, flagging this as non safety issue is a little bit on the easy side.
OTOH if the bike just does not restart after being shut down, that it is clearly a different issue.
About the cycle electric thing, you are saying that even not faulty HD VRs, aren't that great, and have high failure rate anyway?
I took a look at their web site, and they do not seem to have a fit for a 2012 Sportster.
I got that they are basically mostly the same, modulo different wiring harnesses, right?
Having never taken an HD VR apart, does the wiring harness simply unplug from the VR (hence, it can be reused with the new VR - so you can get a raw VR w/out wiring), or you need to get the full VR plus matching wiring harness?
So if that is the case, flagging this as non safety issue is a little bit on the easy side.
OTOH if the bike just does not restart after being shut down, that it is clearly a different issue.
About the cycle electric thing, you are saying that even not faulty HD VRs, aren't that great, and have high failure rate anyway?
I took a look at their web site, and they do not seem to have a fit for a 2012 Sportster.
I got that they are basically mostly the same, modulo different wiring harnesses, right?
Having never taken an HD VR apart, does the wiring harness simply unplug from the VR (hence, it can be reused with the new VR - so you can get a raw VR w/out wiring), or you need to get the full VR plus matching wiring harness?
Here is the difference between the two........
To control voltage on Harley-Davidson alternators other rectifier regulators dump current to ground. This causes maximum stator current and temperature at all times. Cycle Electric rectifying regulators block current to control voltage. This reduces stator current resulting in lower temperature and less drag on the motor which means more efficient operation. The largest and most noticeable benefit is a smoother charge to the battery. This means less battery maintenance and longer battery life.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
Likes: 306
From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
I totally disagree.
If a bike shuts down in the middle of traffic is that not a safety issue? And you know this problem could very possibly happen.
I'm not asking for them to send out a notification to ALL 2012 Harley owners. They obviously know what bikes are affected and which ones aren't. Those who have registered their VINs on the MoCo website either got a notification or they didn't so that tells me they know EXACTLY what bikes are affected.
As it was the regulator I needed was out of stock when I took it in and they had to rob it from elsewhere.
There are better ways to handle this and I personally think they did poorly at it.
Agree or disagree with me but that's how I see it.
If a bike shuts down in the middle of traffic is that not a safety issue? And you know this problem could very possibly happen.
I'm not asking for them to send out a notification to ALL 2012 Harley owners. They obviously know what bikes are affected and which ones aren't. Those who have registered their VINs on the MoCo website either got a notification or they didn't so that tells me they know EXACTLY what bikes are affected.
As it was the regulator I needed was out of stock when I took it in and they had to rob it from elsewhere.
There are better ways to handle this and I personally think they did poorly at it.
Agree or disagree with me but that's how I see it.
The only way the bike would shut down in the middle of traffic due to the regulator failure, is if the rider chose to ignore the Check Engine and Battery warning lights. Sorry, that would be the operators fault for ignoring the warning. The warning indicates an impending electrical failure.
I've had 3 charging system failures on my Sporty, and in every case it was 10-15 minutes from the time the warning lights appeared till the bike died.
Had there been other bikes ahead of you because of a mass mailed notification, there wouldn't have been anything left for them to rob a part from. You would have been waiting weeks for a part.