New compensator will be available as retro fit kit
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 558
Likes: 2
From: Richardson, Tx
I've been thinking the same way. If the compensators arn't getting enough lubrication using formula +, wouldn't a synthetic motor cycle oil that has no friction modifiers be a better choice? I like your idea of just a little more fluid in the primary, like only 2 to 4 ounces would probably be enough to sling the fluid around better without interfering with the clutch.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,873
Likes: 13
From: NW Arkansas
[[ Does anybody think we should be returning to the lightweight oil in the primary that the MOCO has been telling us we should be using? ]]
I use RevTech primary chaincase lubricant -- which seems to be the same product that HD sold for MANY years as HD "Primary Chaincase Lubricant", but withdrew from the market when they came out with "Syn 3" (or whatever you call it). You can't get this from HD any more.
I'll keep using the RevTech primary lube as long as they sell it.
What better to put into the primary, than the original product that was specifically designed to be used there?
I use RevTech primary chaincase lubricant -- which seems to be the same product that HD sold for MANY years as HD "Primary Chaincase Lubricant", but withdrew from the market when they came out with "Syn 3" (or whatever you call it). You can't get this from HD any more.
I'll keep using the RevTech primary lube as long as they sell it.
What better to put into the primary, than the original product that was specifically designed to be used there?
Wonder what will happen if the glue lets go of the little plastic thingie in that oily environment?????
Last edited by mike5511; Sep 2, 2013 at 01:31 AM.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,593
Likes: 11
From: Mass/NH
So let me get this straight...the new and improved solution is to GLUE A PLASTIC FUNNEL INSIDE THE OILY PRIMARY AND HOPE THAT IT DOES NOT COME LOOSE AND GET CAUGHT IN THE PRIMARY CHAIN OR SOMETHING SIMILAR...WITH THE POTENTIAL RESULTING DAMAGE...I'll watch the testing from the sideline...I agree it's a serious problem, not sure of this solution at all...
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,365
Likes: 9
From: Greensboro, NC
I agree with Joe, time will tell if the new design will work and those of you who bought a new bike will be the test subjects. As far as the oil viscosity, the Formula + appears to have the same consistency of a 30-40 weight and it would be safe to say a 5-40 oil like Rotella for example should do fine in there. The chain flow slings the oil to the back of the primary and by the time the chain comes back around to the compensator I don't believe there's a whole lot of oil left on the chain to 'drip' down the plastic 'tray' to flow oil to the components. It almost seems like some type of pumping action is required to get the flow they are proposing with the plastic 'trays'. Why don't they just put a damn gear in place of the chain and be done with it, that way part of the gears would be submersed in oil part of the time and problem solved.
Harley Davidson FORMULA+ Trans and Primary Chaincase VOA
Petroleum based.
Ca 169
P 230
B 210
S - some
Zn - essentially none
No other elemental additives.
Vis. within SAE 50 range.
Listed as a GL-1, does test out as a GL-3.
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums...039#Post926039
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 616
Likes: 38
And Harley in their infinite wisdom to make money off a big problem they are having sell you a compensator kit with these plastic splash guards but do not include the glue with the kit which then they want another 40 bucks for that.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,537
Likes: 4
From: The Great River Road, Wisconsin
There have been some oil passages milled along the way in some of the hard parts with the addition of the deflector.
If indeed lubrication (or lack there of) is the root cause, this should "help" in resolving.
Time will tell. I had about 60K on my Standard when I traded it, and plan on putting that on my Classic, as is, without the mod, and will see how it goes.
There are peeps who have put 100K on their machines without a hiccup from the compensators, so, who knows.......
If indeed lubrication (or lack there of) is the root cause, this should "help" in resolving.
Time will tell. I had about 60K on my Standard when I traded it, and plan on putting that on my Classic, as is, without the mod, and will see how it goes.
There are peeps who have put 100K on their machines without a hiccup from the compensators, so, who knows.......
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 69
From: Near Myrtle Beach, SC
I thought this was old news by now, but here are some drawings of the newly designed compensator, the oil passage efforts, and the oil deflector:
The 2014's have a metallic deflector forged into the primary outer cover in the same place the retro-fit plastic deflector will go in pre-2014 models. I would say that marine-grade JB Weld should do well to hold that piece of plastic in place. (but only after the proper cure time) If you noticed, it looks like it is also held by some kind of metal clip (which in my opinion is not very robust looking at all).
As I said earlier, how can oil pass inward toward the splined shaft when centrifugal force wants to sling it in the opposite direction? I don't see the angle or orientation of the grooves as a solution to this problem because the centrifugal force is always present and would, in my opinion, overpower any potential oil entry from the outside of the assembly.
The 2014's have a metallic deflector forged into the primary outer cover in the same place the retro-fit plastic deflector will go in pre-2014 models. I would say that marine-grade JB Weld should do well to hold that piece of plastic in place. (but only after the proper cure time) If you noticed, it looks like it is also held by some kind of metal clip (which in my opinion is not very robust looking at all).
As I said earlier, how can oil pass inward toward the splined shaft when centrifugal force wants to sling it in the opposite direction? I don't see the angle or orientation of the grooves as a solution to this problem because the centrifugal force is always present and would, in my opinion, overpower any potential oil entry from the outside of the assembly.
Last edited by Lowcountry Joe; Sep 2, 2013 at 07:18 AM.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 412
Likes: 28
From:
cxompensator
Ok guys, excuse my ignorance about this issue. I have a 1988 FLHS that turned just over 200,000 miles this summer.....and never had an issue with my compensator sprocket. So I have never paid any attention to posts concerning them.
But now that I've read this post, and I have a 2011, I wonder just what percenatge of the bikes have this problem? What did they change from 1988 to now that is causing this? I gotta ask how Harley screwed this up?
I"ve run all kinds of oils in my primaries, but have been using Rotella 15w-40 for the past several yrs. If oiling is the issue, why can't one just install the new baffle to help lubricate the compensator? I'd think thinner oils would help also. I may switch to some 5w-40 next time I change it out, and run it a little higher in the primary too.
But now that I've read this post, and I have a 2011, I wonder just what percenatge of the bikes have this problem? What did they change from 1988 to now that is causing this? I gotta ask how Harley screwed this up?
I"ve run all kinds of oils in my primaries, but have been using Rotella 15w-40 for the past several yrs. If oiling is the issue, why can't one just install the new baffle to help lubricate the compensator? I'd think thinner oils would help also. I may switch to some 5w-40 next time I change it out, and run it a little higher in the primary too.