SE Big Twin Compensator
Sorry, I don't read your question as a "yes" or "no" but an "either" "or".
The compensator is the shock absorber between your engine and transmission.
In my opinion, only you can answer the question for yourself when you know what it is, what it does, and if your bike has the symptoms of needing a stronger shock absorber or a new chain tensioner or a new clutch or a clutch adjustment or a stronger clutch spring or if everything is fine the way it is.
Considering the SE comp comes stock on the Rocker model (which you would know if you read the thread in question), it may be a stock item on other models in the future.
Cheers,
The compensator is the shock absorber between your engine and transmission.
In my opinion, only you can answer the question for yourself when you know what it is, what it does, and if your bike has the symptoms of needing a stronger shock absorber or a new chain tensioner or a new clutch or a clutch adjustment or a stronger clutch spring or if everything is fine the way it is.
Considering the SE comp comes stock on the Rocker model (which you would know if you read the thread in question), it may be a stock item on other models in the future.
Cheers,
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 547
Likes: 2
Having the SE Compensator done at the dealer right now. I've been following this post and doing research everywhere else I could. My story is however a little different. Initially, I was planning on buying it at some point and then just doing it myself. Low and behold, a knocking noise developed in the primary that was consistently inconsistent. Took it in and they opened it up as I watched. Found some very small metal shavings but nothing right in your face. After taking it all out and the primary chain off, we found a broken tooth on the compensator sprocket and they approved it for a replacement under warranty of course. I brought up the SE Compensator and they said they'd put it in just for the difference ($100) and they had one in stock. More exploring revealed teeth broken off in the inner clutch hub, excessive wear on the race bearing that the hub goes around (I do have over 20,000 miles on the bike) and they are replacing the chain and the chain tensioner just because. Another cool thing is that they are adding the SE gasket that goes between the case and the inner primary which is black so you don't get the silver line through the inner primary and case that is there stock.
Overall, I'm expressing gratitude for the vast information that we get off this site and the people that provide it. I don't know if I would consider myself 'lucky' for this happening to my bike but I'm pretty excited about getting all this replaced including the addition of the SE Compensator, which I didn't plan on getting for a while, for a total of actually just under $100. Basically everything in the primary is being replaced except the outer clutch hub which they were real close to replacing as well because of the flywheel teeth having some wear but under tolerance.
Looking forward to see, well, feel the difference.
Overall, I'm expressing gratitude for the vast information that we get off this site and the people that provide it. I don't know if I would consider myself 'lucky' for this happening to my bike but I'm pretty excited about getting all this replaced including the addition of the SE Compensator, which I didn't plan on getting for a while, for a total of actually just under $100. Basically everything in the primary is being replaced except the outer clutch hub which they were real close to replacing as well because of the flywheel teeth having some wear but under tolerance.
Looking forward to see, well, feel the difference.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,789
Likes: 9
From: Double Oak, Texas
They have threads on most of the sport bike forums I frequent about just this subject....... usually about how they perceive Harley's big twins as some sort of compensators for the owners in some obscure way
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,530
Likes: 1
From: Upstate, SC
Low and behold, a knocking noise developed in the primary that was consistently inconsistent. Took it in and they opened it up as I watched. Found some very small metal shavings but nothing right in your face. After taking it all out and the primary chain off, we found a broken tooth on the compensator sprocket and they approved it for a replacement under warranty of course. More exploring revealed teeth broken off in the inner clutch hub, excessive wear on the race bearing that the hub goes around (I do have over 20,000 miles on the bike) and they are replacing the chain and the chain tensioner just because.
Basically everything in the primary is being replaced except the outer clutch hub which they were real close to replacing as well because of the flywheel teeth having some wear but under tolerance.
Basically everything in the primary is being replaced except the outer clutch hub which they were real close to replacing as well because of the flywheel teeth having some wear but under tolerance.
Also, what oil are you running in the primary?
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 547
Likes: 2
The oil I've been using in the primary over the last 15,000 miles is the Redline MTL.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,530
Likes: 1
From: Upstate, SC
Other than the broken pieces, the wear itself in regards to the teeth shavings from the flywheel/starter contact and race bearing aren't abnormal for the mileage I have. There used to be a service bulletin about the race bearing that HD wanted them replaced every 15,000 miles but after only about a year of that bulletin being out, they pulled it. The tooth breakage on the compensator sprocket and the inner clutch hub are definitely not 'normal' per them and is extremely rare....it more or less just happened. You can't put it on my 103" stage II either cause this is the same stuff that is in the SE 110" motors.
The oil I've been using in the primary over the last 15,000 miles is the Redline MTL.
The oil I've been using in the primary over the last 15,000 miles is the Redline MTL.
Did they say anything about you not using Formula+ or Syn3 in the primary in relation to covering this under the warranty?
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 547
Likes: 2
I would think any visible wear inside the primary with only 20,000 miles is abnormal as long as lubrication was adequate. That's why I asked what oil you were using.
Did they say anything about you not using Formula+ or Syn3 in the primary in relation to covering this under the warranty?
Did they say anything about you not using Formula+ or Syn3 in the primary in relation to covering this under the warranty?
They don't care about the oil....in fact, they recommend the Redline which I run in all 3 lubricating compartments over any other oil they sell including the stock and Syn3. I'm also not singling out the Redline; there are plenty of other brands that are better oils out there for the bike for the primary, tranny, and crankcase then the HD stuff.
Looking forward to getting it back and see if I do feel a difference. Even if I don't, the satisfaction of having a major primary part that is probably what should have initially been built with will make me feel better. Once I get it back and do some riding, I will update with my findings.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 734
Likes: 2
Please do... I'm now considering this upgrade more after hearing about your situation. I have a similar engine build.
Banned
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,494
Likes: 5
I am with Gary on this one. Your problems have nothing to do with the starter, that is a non issue and I wonder why it was brought up? The inner primary was an 06' issue? The components that have been replaced should have nominal wear for 20k miles and this should be a real concern for all! If you have been running Red Line all this time then maybe this is a problem, no?
I would really question the cause of all this damage!!!!!!
CB
I would really question the cause of all this damage!!!!!!
CB