Morris Magneto MM74E for OHV Big Twins 1936-1969

Morris Magnetos

There aren’t many products in the Harley-Davidson aftermarket that have reached true cult status — but Morris Magnetos are definitely one of them. Magneto ignitions have a long-standing tradition in Milwaukee, used on both street bikes and racers. Even today, they remain the top choice when a bike builder values reliability, simplicity, and complete independence of the ignition system from the rest of the bike’s electrical setup.

Despite being fully mechanical, a properly tuned magneto is virtually wear-free. The current flowing through the points is much lower than in battery ignition systems, which puts less stress on the components — assuming correct setup and minimal maintenance, of course.

Sure, a magneto can’t compete with modern digital multi-spark engine management systems, and it won’t offer onboard diagnostics either. But for anyone looking for a dependable, powerful, and easy-to-use ignition setup, a magneto is still a solid choice. And let’s face it — a good magneto just looks seriously cool.

Battery ignitions rely on a charging system, a battery, and a coil to make spark — which means more wiring and more potential failure points. A magneto, on the other hand, packs everything into one compact housing and generates its own spark energy. Simple and effective.