Engine Mechanical Topics Discussion for motor builds, cams, head work, stripped bolts and other engine related issues. The good and the bad. If it goes round and around or up and down, post it here.

Compensator Damage

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 9, 2023 | 03:01 PM
  #1  
Viallator's Avatar
Viallator
Thread Starter
|
New Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: CA
Default Compensator Damage

So…I was running home to CA from Bullhead City AZ 2021 when cheap Chinese bolt loosened up on my intake and ended up in the combustion chamber(my bad I should have pulled it and lockTight but overlooked)… at 80mph. Replaced Heads, pistons, jugs, pushrods and Cam & bearings. When I started her up the first time sounded like piston to Valve interference, but clay clearance showed .120. So…I think what I heard was the compensator, it was still tight(bolt) but the galling indicates big problem. Everything else, Crank, Rods and bearings no play. I hope I found the smoking gun?

Stock compensator looks bad


Cheap bolt

Bolt from behind holds centerpiece…not lockTight beware
 
Reply
Old Feb 10, 2023 | 10:21 PM
  #2  
Ed Ramberger's Avatar
Ed Ramberger
Grand HDF Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 3,571
Likes: 1,200
From: Then Wisconsin, now North Carolina
Default

I beg to differ, it was an EXPENSIVE chinese bolt... Sorry - couldn't resist after that awesome pic pointing it out. On a serious note, keep an eye on the bottom end. That kind of damage has the potential to damage a bearing that may take some time to go out.
 

Last edited by Ed Ramberger; Feb 10, 2023 at 10:23 PM.
Reply
Old Feb 19, 2023 | 11:57 PM
  #3  
Warrant's Avatar
Warrant
Road Warrior
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 1,817
Likes: 342
From: Okanagan, BC
Default

Well welcome to the forum from Canada!
Go say hello to the rest of the gang in the 'Welcome Section'
 
Reply
Old Feb 20, 2023 | 08:12 AM
  #4  
skydude426's Avatar
skydude426
Club Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,677
Likes: 434
Riders Club Member
Default

Ouch! that bolt in your combustion chamber looks painful.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
FranBunnyFFXII
Milwaukee Eight (M8)
164
Dec 12, 2022 05:06 PM
Redrodyankneck
Shovelhead
11
Sep 16, 2021 07:48 PM
brownie4412
Multi-Fit Parts and Accessories
2
Mar 17, 2021 03:51 PM
panz4ever
Panhead
1
Jun 28, 2020 03:27 PM
PhilM
Touring Models
224
Jun 6, 2012 10:24 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:26 AM.

story-0
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-4
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-5
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-6
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE
story-9
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

Slideshow: Graeme Billington's left-hand-drive Shovelhead is as much about problem-solving as it is about classic Harley form.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-30 11:27:08


VIEW MORE