Hello All:
I'm new to this forum - found it doing a Google search for info on the stator/rotor problem. This forum’s posts regarding this topic have been the most informative I've found – THANK YOU! Bear with me with my long post, I have a reason. A couple of weeks ago after an hour ride and a two hour stop, I start the bike and hear a soft clacking/clanking noise coming from somewhere in the front part of the engine. The noise stopped after the engine warmed up so I ignored it. Last week I rode the bike to work and same thing, after warm-up the noise goes away, but on my return home, the noise stayed until suddenly "Ping! Whurrrr" then I noticed the original noise was gone! 30 seconds later, the check engine lights went on. You all know what the problem was. The bike was running fine so I decided to just take it easy and try and make it home. The point I'd like to share is – TRUST YOUR EARS - I should have stopped riding the bike after I FIRST noticed the sound. Luckily, after removing the outer primary cover, I don't believe (at this point) there is any damage to anything but the rotor and stator, judging from the VERY small amount of metal shavings found.
I have a couple of questions: I haven’t gotten past removing the outer primary cover and verifying the problem (rotor is loose and rotates freely on the shaft). I suppose I’ll find out after I remove the comp sprocket/chain/clutch assembly, but why do you have to remove the inner primary cover to take off the rotor and stator?
Next question is: I read on another forum that there are after-market stators and rotors that are better made and possibly less expensive than the HD replacements. Is this the way to go, or should I stick with the new HD parts?
Thanks for any advise.
GREAT FORUM!
K.K.
