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Okay, I have been researching and learning about the 2008 Twinkie Compensator and the issues. I have seen a ton of info and have come to the conclusion that the Comp on my wife's bike is dying. The thing clunk when you release and engage the throttle, kicks back when you try to start (may have damaged the starter clutch), and I need to do it. I do have questions as the Comp is the original one (the previous owner rode 10k in 10 years). My wife rode 12k in one year and this started at about 22k miles on the bike. I am including a picture of the compensator to help me out on the next step.
I want to replace the Comp when I looked everything up on Ronnie and then called the dealer the price difference was huge, but I realized they quoted me the Screaming Eagle which requires a stator as the rotor is a different size. I have also seen the Baker unit (which I look forward to Mark's advice) which is within the price range of the Screaming Eagle (close enough), but not sure which model or parts to get for the wife's bike. I am also looking for other sources for these parts that could be budget friendly, but not cheap crap. I will spend money for quality, but I am not rich and willing to spend stupid money on something if it is not necessary. The final part is changing the tensioner from the HD unit to either the Baker or Hayden. Essentially Manual or Spring tensioner, which is better?
I hope this all makes sense and you guys can help me out. Bike Specs:
2008 Softail 96 Cu in
Intake (Screaming Eagle) Exhaust RUSH slipon (best guess)
Engine is stock internal, recently replaced the battery and the starter solenoid (fixed the rough start when warm problem)
If your going to replace it, the Screamin eagle version is the Harley replacement and does require the additional parts as they told you. I replaced mine with it and it resolved all the problems with hard hot starts and clunks. I have no opinion on the other options. If you want to spend the extra money, go for it. I'm still running the stock tensioner and at 50k miles it still works fine. I have no opinion on the other options but if you want to spend the extra money, go for it. If you go screamin eagle, I'd recommend ordering it through Surdyke or Boardtracker...
I did the Baker comp for my 09 Train. I replaced the comp at 72k miles, now have 83K miles and have had zero issues with the Baker comp kit. I did not replace anything else in the primary and it’s still running strong.
Perfect news.
I am looking at replacing the starter clutch first as I can get those for a decent price and it sound like part of the issue I am having. I do know the comp is going out, but I am noticing the starter clutch is also going out. I would not doubt they are related issues.
My huge question is do I need to replace the stator when I put the Baker?
The stator comes with the Baker comp. I changed mine out.
I did not know that. I am not even sure which version of comp I have on my bike. I know they list different ones, because of the Screaming Eagle version, which is the only version that exists now at the dealer,
I called Baker direct and they were very helpful! I was living in Germany st the time and wanted to ensure I was heading down the right path and The guys at Baker did me solid. If I ever need a new transmission, Baker will be my first call!
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2008 96" Compensator going out.
