Ignition Rotor Breaks Often

[IronMick]

Message posted by a good friend on another forum. Any ideas? -->

Hi Guys, I have a bike that constantly breaks the ignition rotor. This is a stamped steel cup, used on all Harleys since 1983. It spins in the air and doesn't touch anything, but when it breaks, the engine comes to a sudden halt as if you turned the key off. I would appreciate any tips on how to solve this.

[Gone]

Does it look like a stress fracture from improper mating sufaces??

[Chalee Mai Dee]

Well the other day I was out riding and the bike just died as I was
coming to a stop. I still had headlights, starter, etc.. , just not
ignition. The shop fixed it and showed me the rotor. The whole center
of the rotor had broken out, the same size as the washer. Part number
32402-83. Then just a couple days later I ran into the guy that I
bought the bike from and he was telling me of the rotor breaking on him
also. Has this happened to anyone else?

Charlie 91 Custom Thailand

[chrishajer]

What kind of bike is this?

What was done to the bike recently, before the rotors started breaking? Anything?

Any other symptoms? Engine noise?

I know I have seen this, but I can't for the life of me recall what it was. Is it possible the cam has too much end play, and the cam and rotor walk out and the rotor contacts the sensor plate? Inner cam bearing failure (EVO BT)? Lifter rollers or bearings worn/damaged and putting abnormal stress loading and unloading the cam?

I have to think about this one. It's on the tip of my brain.

--Chris

[hybriDatsun350]

NRHS sells a machined timing rotor for just this problem. Last item on the page, http://www.nrhsperformance.com/partsignition.shtml . Might be a little pricey, but it must be worth it. This looks like the solution, but maybe I am missing something. Good Luck! :)

[chrishajer]

Maybe NRHS can add something about WHY they fail. I'd like to know what it is that causes the stock one to fail. It's killing me.

--Chris