Should you replace a working Stator before it goes out??
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,488
Likes: 30
From: Maryland near DC
there are things you can do to help it not go bad as quickly...namely reduce the current draw (ie., don't make it work so hard)...led lights all around will drop the current draw a lot...don't run all the electronics at once when possible..and make sure your battery is good ( a weak battery draws more current) ..check that all your cables are tight (both positive and grounds) and that the plugs to all the electronics and lighting are tight, dry and clean (and greased)...keep your regulator clean of dirt and road grime (if the regulator overheats and goes bad it will oftenly take the stator with it).....and by doing so you may even notice a jump in gas milage...
Last edited by mrfikser; Apr 13, 2012 at 06:13 AM.
Mine recently went bad. 2001 EGC. It gave me a warning. I went to start the bike for a morning ride and the starter was sluggish. Drove the bike to the meet-up place and shut it down. Went to start it again and nutten but a click. The volt meter read zero. I jumps started (carbed bike) and got it home. Opened the clutch inspection plate and the smell of burnt wiring was very prominent. search on-line for a replacement and there are cheap ones and expensive ones. I ended up just getting a replace stator from Harley at $142.00 and installed it myself. Never done it before but it was an easy job.
Just keep an eye on your volt meter and insure you have a good battery and ride till it breaks. Should give you a warning before it goes bad.
Just keep an eye on your volt meter and insure you have a good battery and ride till it breaks. Should give you a warning before it goes bad.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Wisconsin
While that is absolutely correct, also remember, don't take to heart everything you ride. The forum is a small sampling of owners and human nature is to bitch, not praise, so it always looks worse than it is. Plus, how many create their own issues and then blame the manufacturer?
That said, by all means, YES, replace that stator! I find that if you replace ALL servicable parts every 3 months you have very few problems to deal with as you ride. Expensive? YES? Worth it? For the peace of mind, YES! Am I serious? HELL NO! I'm with the ride it until it breaks crowd, unless there is some indication a part will fail soon, then of course, be proactive.
That said, by all means, YES, replace that stator! I find that if you replace ALL servicable parts every 3 months you have very few problems to deal with as you ride. Expensive? YES? Worth it? For the peace of mind, YES! Am I serious? HELL NO! I'm with the ride it until it breaks crowd, unless there is some indication a part will fail soon, then of course, be proactive.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,524
Likes: 6,406
From: Honah Lee
Stators will last a life time as long as you do not adbuse the system by overheating it with run down batteries or tons of extras like heated gloves, large amps and especially AC on those tour bikes. All the stator is a coil that puts out 3 legs of 32 volt AC. This is reduced to 15.9 volt or so DC by regulator. Load on it causes the heat that takes it out. It will take normal load. Extra will get it or the regulator. If you get the regulator, the stator will go next.
Last edited by Jackie Paper; Apr 13, 2012 at 08:25 AM.
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 226
Likes: 0
From: Plantation, FL
At 44,000 miles, I installed a 103" kit in my 2003 Ultra. As I was re-installing the stator late one night, I wondered out loud if I should just replace it. Naw. It was working. About 4000 miles later, in Lusk, Wyoming, it quit. The closest HD dealer was in Casper, 110 miles away. There was a hardware store there and thankfully it had one battery charger on the shelf. We bought it and charged the battery for 1 1/2 hours. I removed the fuse for the running lights and made it to Douglas, WY. We charged the battery for another 1 1/2 hours and made it to a Holiday Inn in Casper. The bike quit when I pulled into the parking lot.
Did I regret not changing that stator when I had it in my hands? You bet.
As far as the three phase system is concerned, I installed one on my 03 Classic (Yes, I have one of each).
There are 2 interesting phenomia with this system. First of all, they tell you not to place the regulator behind an oil cooler. Yep, the HD oil cooler I have is right in front of the voltage regulator. Next the indicated voltage above idle is 14.2 which is less than the original voltage of approximately 15. That tells me that the 2 wire regulator may be working too hard.
I have now had 2 stator failures on each bike. I also have had a rotor failure (all of the magnets came unglued). 2 of those failures were in BFE.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,524
Likes: 6,406
From: Honah Lee
Funny you should mention BFE.
At 44,000 miles, I installed a 103" kit in my 2003 Ultra. As I was re-installing the stator late one night, I wondered out loud if I should just replace it. Naw. It was working. About 4000 miles later, in Lusk, Wyoming, it quit. The closest HD dealer was in Casper, 110 miles away. There was a hardware store there and thankfully it had one battery charger on the shelf. We bought it and charged the battery for 1 1/2 hours. I removed the fuse for the running lights and made it to Douglas, WY. We charged the battery for another 1 1/2 hours and made it to a Holiday Inn in Casper. The bike quit when I pulled into the parking lot.
Did I regret not changing that stator when I had it in my hands? You bet.
As far as the three phase system is concerned, I installed one on my 03 Classic (Yes, I have one of each).
There are 2 interesting phenomia with this system. First of all, they tell you not to place the regulator behind an oil cooler. Yep, the HD oil cooler I have is right in front of the voltage regulator. Next the indicated voltage above idle is 14.2 which is less than the original voltage of approximately 15. That tells me that the 2 wire regulator may be working too hard.
I have now had 2 stator failures on each bike. I also have had a rotor failure (all of the magnets came unglued). 2 of those failures were in BFE.
At 44,000 miles, I installed a 103" kit in my 2003 Ultra. As I was re-installing the stator late one night, I wondered out loud if I should just replace it. Naw. It was working. About 4000 miles later, in Lusk, Wyoming, it quit. The closest HD dealer was in Casper, 110 miles away. There was a hardware store there and thankfully it had one battery charger on the shelf. We bought it and charged the battery for 1 1/2 hours. I removed the fuse for the running lights and made it to Douglas, WY. We charged the battery for another 1 1/2 hours and made it to a Holiday Inn in Casper. The bike quit when I pulled into the parking lot.
Did I regret not changing that stator when I had it in my hands? You bet.
As far as the three phase system is concerned, I installed one on my 03 Classic (Yes, I have one of each).
There are 2 interesting phenomia with this system. First of all, they tell you not to place the regulator behind an oil cooler. Yep, the HD oil cooler I have is right in front of the voltage regulator. Next the indicated voltage above idle is 14.2 which is less than the original voltage of approximately 15. That tells me that the 2 wire regulator may be working too hard.
I have now had 2 stator failures on each bike. I also have had a rotor failure (all of the magnets came unglued). 2 of those failures were in BFE.
The voltage can vary due to battery condition, rpm needs to be above 2000 to mean anything since 600 and 900rpm makes a big difference in what you see and load on regulator. As long as it's above battery voltage it will charge. The diodes also in the regulator (think there is 6) can also leak (allowing voltage both ways including AC) lowering voltage. However any leak will show with the ignition off by draning battery if it is low enough to lower voltage. AC will take out ignition modual. Never had this problem on a bike but have replaced alternators (regulator built in) on GM cars that first sign is the ignition modual goes and there is no spark to plugs. Harley ECM systems are protected against this but I do not push that to check.(they just say that in the electrical diagnostic manual for my 04 )
If it checks OK especially ohm resistance and is not burnt I would wory about the replacement going in the first 1000 miles as the old one going bad. However if it shows any sign I would replace it. However do not confuse the dark color at the connection. They come that way new
Last edited by Jackie Paper; Sep 14, 2018 at 11:24 AM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,600
Likes: 7
From: Minnesota
I recently replaced my working stator when upgrading to the SE Compensator reasoning that it only added about $100 to the cost net of gaskets and fluid.
Although it is true that a new stator could go bad too.
Although it is true that a new stator could go bad too.
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When you change the primary oil and the oil stinks, like bigdumnoita says, I mean it really stinks, it is time to change the stator. Had mine die on the end of a 1800 mile trip. Made it home but my battery voltage started to drop way off the last 100 miles. I turned off all accessories and nursed it home. I go by the saying already mentioned here "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" 
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 17,548
Likes: 7,172
From: Oxford, Nc
I believe Harley went to 3 phase in '07.
My 2000 lost factory stators at 19,000, 32,000 and 57,000 miles. I installed a CompuFire 3 phase at that time, (Oct 2010,) and am still running the same kit at 106,000 miles plus. (Year round rider with heated gloves in the winter, etc.)
I'll ride the bike anywhere.
I obviously wouldn't trust the older 2 phase as far as I can throw it!
My 2000 lost factory stators at 19,000, 32,000 and 57,000 miles. I installed a CompuFire 3 phase at that time, (Oct 2010,) and am still running the same kit at 106,000 miles plus. (Year round rider with heated gloves in the winter, etc.)
I'll ride the bike anywhere.
I obviously wouldn't trust the older 2 phase as far as I can throw it!
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harley_guy1995
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May 23, 2012 10:46 PM
