2 Post relay

[Steve Little]

Has anyone got a good clear picture of the base plate for a 2 post relay.
Regards Steve

[Chris Haynes]

Has anyone got a good clear picture of the base plate for a 2 post relay.
Regards Steve

I can take a photo of a NOS aftermarket unit if that would do.

[Steve Little]

Thanks Chris.
I would like to see a aftermarket base plate to make a comparison. I think the base plate on the right is original "has 6V stamped into it" and the plate on the left is aftermarket.
I have a mixture of genuine "as fitted by Harley" and aftermarket 2 post relays.
I dont know the correct terminology for rivet head finish, but I think the original 2 post relays are the units with "staked" rivets and the aftermarket units have a mushed style head.
To define the staked style head, it looks like it has been hit with a small cold chisel to make a cross hair line across the head of the rivit.
The dirty relay is original. I welcome any conformation or comments to the contrary.
Regards Steve

[Matt McManus]

I have several original 2 post relays, I will try to remember to take a few pictures and post them tomorrow.

[Chris Haynes]

My reproduction.

[Steve Little]

2 post relays 007.JPGHi Chris.
I have one of those 2 post relays as well. The cover on mine says "Made in U.S.A" in 1/16" font. The diference between this and the genuine 36-37 style two post is that the bracket is made like the 1938 and up style Delco relay. The production range of the 2 post relay with the removable base plate might be 1926 to 1937. I say this, because the two post has a part number 4785-26.
I have 2 early original Delco Remy relays but I dont know which one is correct for Harley. One has a large peened over rivit head holding the coil in place and one has the 3/16 nut holding the coil in place.
I think that 1938 and later relays have the 3/16" nut holding the coil in place. Harley where pretty fastidious about parts being rebuildable. The other difference is that one unit has a spring holding the points open and the other has the tension bar system like the 38 and up2 post relays 006.JPG
The relay on the left is 1938 and up. My guess is that the corect one for my 1937 EL is the unit with the nut holding the coil and the torsion bar holding the points open.
Comments and knowledge are welcome, as I am only guessing.
In reality, nobody but me will know when I have fitted it to the bike.... but I am my own worst critic.
Regards Steve

[Steve Little]

Hi Matt.
It would seem like I have strayed into a bit of an unknown area with this two post relay.
If you could post some pictures of your original 2 post relays it might help clear this up.
Regards Steve

[Matt McManus]

relay 3.jpgrelay 2.jpgrelay 1.jpg

Here are the original ones that I have all are constructed exactly the same, but the bottom is different than all of the 3 post ones that I have.

[Matt McManus]

I forgot yesterday but I remembered today hope those help answer your question.

[Chris Haynes]

Here is an original. Notice that it says Delco Remy on the mounting flange.

[Steve Little]

Thanks Matt and Chris.
Matt. A couple of question on yours:
Do your relays have a torsion bar or a spring holding the points open.
And do your relays have the Delco Remy stamp in the base plate like Chris's.


Chris.
Is the cover on your relay, original to the relay. It has no brand name stamped in it.
Also does your relay have a torsion bar or spring holding the points open

I have three of these relays and they all have different covers.
And they are all 2 post covers. (No cutout in the cover for the third post.
One has (Delco Remy Made in U.S.A). which also has an embosed oval line around the name. This is the unit with the coil held by a nut and the staked rivits.
One has (VESTA Cut Out) The last has (Made in USA) but it is the obvious aftermarket unit with the non removable bottom plate.

Regards Steve

[Chris Haynes]

Nothing stamped on the cover.

[Matt McManus]

All three of the ones that I have stashed have a torsion bar holding the points open, 2 have remy in small font stamped into the mounting plate and one has Delco Remy made in USA stamped in it like the one Chris has. 2 of them have original covers(not cut out for the 3rd post) one says Delco Remy made in USA just like the later covers and the other cover just says REMY. On that cover the R is small then the E and M are bigger and then the Y is small like the R.

Matt

[Steve Little]

Thanks to you both. Marvelous information.
If anyone has a spare base plate with Delco Remy stamped in it.... I'm in the buying mood.
Regards Steve

[Chris Haynes]

Perhaps someone should get a stamp made.