'08 Heritage - Replacing a compensator
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 100
Likes: 2
From: Utah
'08 Heritage - Replacing a compensator
I recently bought an '08 Heritage with 7,000 miles on it. It starts great, but always with a loud clang or bang. Everything I've read makes me think it's the compensator, and that it can be replaced. My question is, does it need to be replaced? Is it causing damage, or is it just annoying?
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 247
Likes: 59
From: California
Assuming it's the compensator, which would be extremely rare with that low mileage, then yes, you can eventually cause some damage. If the compensator isn't functioning as expected, there are jarring impacts to starter, clutch pack ring gear, clutch pack main shaft splines, primary chain. In ordinary function a compensator allows for a ramped engagement of engine power (as well as start up), when they are bad the ramping function can become jerky as wear and tear does it's thing to metal and it is not as smooth as it should be, or, worst case, can cause the ramps to jump over each other when wear to the spring pack/ramps results in enough slop to allow it. Is this starting issue worse when bike is hot?
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 100
Likes: 2
From: Utah
If it's rare for a bike with such low mileage, what else could it be if not the compensator? I will add that after a couple of hundred mile ride, it didn't seem to do it. But even after warming up on 20-30 mile rides, it does it.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 12,774
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From: san antonio
I don't think it rare for the '08 model year. The MoCo has "upgraded" the later compensator several times. There are several aftermarket solutions and, IIRC, the last MoCo upgrade works well. Do some research on the compensator issue and I think you will come to the conclusion that it should be replaced.
Last edited by djl; Jul 12, 2020 at 07:23 PM.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 4,359
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From: Dubuque, IA
It wouldn't surprise me one bit to have it be the compensator at 7,000 miles. Especially on an 08. It's been a work in progress and even the latest SE compensator on '14+s leaves much to be desired. I just got rid of one on my '13 that had significant wear at 30,000 and replaced with a solid 30 tooth compensator eliminator from Evolution Industries. Drop 6+lbs. of rotating mass in the process. They make a 34 tooth if you wanted to leave the gearing the same.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 4,359
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From: Dubuque, IA
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 316
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From: North America
Just a question, does it make the same noise whether you start it with the clutch pulled in? I don't mean in gear.... I just mean in neutral with the clutch disengaged.