black plastic heat shields

[garyS-NJ]

the black plastic heat shields above the heads. the front one is out and I need to re-install or pull the back one. do I need them?

[lonestarmedic]

Mine have been out for years. No ill effects I have found. Maybe the do deflect a bit of heat, but I did not see a difference myself. They are in my parts bin if needed.

[Great White]

The heat shields, contrary to popular belief, are there to protect the electrical components in the area not the rider's "wedding tackle".

 

That being said, it's only protection. More relevant to long term reliability than whether or not it's going to make it down the road tomorrow.

 

On or off, your choice.

 

If you were to ask what I would do I would re-install them. Even though they can be one major PITA......

[Vonwolf]

What Great White advises is very important if you keep the TCI in the original position, it almost sitting right on the Heads I doubt the heat is very good for it. I like most have moved mine so my heat shields are long gone time will tell how well the rest of the electrical components hold up

[lonestarmedic]

I removed mine about 65,000 miles ago and it was in 2008. So far the electrical has held up. I had the box out a couple months ago and the capacitors were good and I saw no warpage. I agree that the shields are more for the components than OUR components. I did not pull my coils and examine those.

 

JB

[Great White]

The thing with electronics and heat is not always about outright "baking" them. It's more to do with heat cycles.

 

The temp delta a component experiences is just as important as the absolute temp it experiences.

 

If the temp delta is fairly wide, then components stress (ie: expansion/contraction) and things like solder joints and such can crack and/or fail.

 

Of course, if you exceed the component manufactures rated max temp, them you're asking for trouble also.

 

[garyS-NJ]

Yes heat & especially temp cycking accelerates end of life in ekectronics & solder. & they shield water & dirt out the spark plug area. Maybe I'll keep them. Coils are there too. But I'm moving the tci and that yics is GONE.