Got a 2012 Softail Deluxe with 46k on it. Thought I heard some radical noise comin' from the primary so I bought a new compensator sprocket(Screamin' Eagle as this is what they sell now to replace the outdated one) and a new primary chain tensioner. I put 'em in myself but am sort of questioning if I've done it right. It seems like the same set of instructions are used universally for certain year to certain year bikes as this will save the moco money in printing a dedicated instruction sheet for each model. So, there is a "shaft extension" that I couldn't get to fit that came with the parts. It moved the whole new compensator way out about an inch and a half on the shaft and would not "marry" with the splines. The instructions were very vague on this part. I just eliminated it and installed the remaining parts. Seemed to fit together just right. Re-assembled the whole primary and took it for a short ride. It didn't solve the original problem(which I have being addressed by a really reputable indy who says it's a cam issue), but it didn't blow apart on me as if I'd have installed it wrong. Anyone out there done a compensator upgrade on a Softail 2012-2013 vintage with the new Screamin' Eagle compensator that HD has replaced the stock one with?

 

I did that upgrade on my 2011 Heritage two years ago. The #4 was inside #5 already and did not push anything further out. It was fairly easy to do. Not sure why on yours unless splines on inside or outside were not lined up. Sorry couldn't be more helpful.

 

I'm a little confused how you could leave that part out and everything still worked.......? Maybe I am not understanding what you are saying.... if so, forgive my lack of comprehension... however...

For the comp to work....

The splines on the engine shaft fit the rotor, to spin it around the stator....

The engine shaft splines are too small (diameter) to engage the ramps of the compensator. You need that "extension" to mate the compensator to the engine shaft, and then transfer the engine torque to the comp ramps/sprocket/ primary chain...

Here's a pic of the comp from my 2016 Bagger when I had it apart. The 2016 OEM comp is the same as the Screamin' Eagle for the pre-Rushmore bikes. You can see that the "extension" slides through the spring plates of the comp before it engages the ramps of the comp. Without that piece (or one very similar) the comp won't turn with the engine...




I suspect if by you adding that "extension" (I'll use your word) you moved everything out about an inch and one-half, you may have left that "extension" piece on the engine shaft from your original compensator...

I have never compared that "extension" part between the pre-Rushmore comps and the Screamin' Eagle (Rushmore) comps to see if they are interchangeable...

Maybe they gave you two in your SE Comp kit for some reason.... But you need that part installed to get the comp to work...

Since it's working well you must have an "extension" installed with your comp. Since it is not making any unusual noises, the spacing is probably good, and you are probably fine leaving it as is..... But I would have to know what I did... and I'd be going into the primary again...

 

Thank you so much for that analysis. Yes, I am baffled at why it worked without that #4 piece. Could be that perhaps, as you say, there was already one installed on the new comp assmbly and I got an extra(it was in fact packaged as a seperate piece in the box) or there was one left on the shaft and I didn't get it off. At any rate, my Indy is doing the work on the tranny side ane I sheepishly told him what I'd done. He said he'd take care of it. Your take on the problem was really thorough and I thank you again.

 

That may be the case as the #4 piece was packaged seperately from the rest of the comp sprocket.

 

You are absolutely right about leaving the original shaft extension on the shaft! Being unfamiliar with that procedure and following the manual, I inadvertantly did not notice that it was left on the shaft. I thought that pulling the original sprocket off would facilitate everything else coming with it. That was not the case. I've sent a pic of the sprocket ready for installation of the new comp and as you can see, the shaft extension is still on the spline! Live and learn. Needless to say, My Indy that is addressing the tyranny side of the bike will be taking the primary cover off and replacing that old extension with the new one that came in the kit. I knew there was no way that the sprockets would have lined up if there was no extension in there at all. Live and learn I guess. And once again, this forum comes through with excellent response. Thanks to you and Hot Augie for the heads up.

 

Almost certain my 2012 Ultra came w/ the Screaming Eagle upgraded comp. Never had an issue w/ it. Sounds like your 2012 did not (?)

I did put the SE comp on my 2008 bagger and I distinctly recall there being two separate PDFs online about it. One had parts that weren't needed or were an error. Pretty sure I posted a pic on HDF asking about it, but cannot locate it this minute.

 

FWIW....

In 2011, Harley made an OEM upgrade to the #83935-09A comp, that was far less problematic than the earlier 2006/2007+ version #40296-06A. In 2009, for two years, the #83935-09A comp WAS a Screamin' Eagle upgrade prior to it being included as OEM.

The latest, least problematic version of the comp was introduced with the Rushmore bikes in 2014 #36500034A, and is now in the current Screamin' Eagle upgrade kit #42200064A for earlier bikes...