compensator assistance
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Stage II
Joined: Nov 2025
Posts: 2
Likes: 2
compensator assistance
Hello all, I am a new harley owner my best friend gave up on getting his 1994 fatboy running and now its mine. Here is what I know about the bike. It has sat for atleast 5 years probably a little longer and has a comp cams 2030 cam, aftermarket exhaust (unknown brand), K&N air filter, compression of 162 front and 163 rear, it was missing the carb when I got it so I put on a keinhen carb jetted at 45 slow and 190 main. I managed to get it running but on start up the noise comming from the primary sounded lie someone was in side hitting it with a hammer. I looked in the inspecton cover and I believe the Chain tensioner in a hayden. I think the chain is loose and hitting the primary cover or I have a bad compensator. I know I need to pull the primary cover and check everyting out, however if it is the compensator I was wondering what options I have when it comes to replacing it price is a factor but I want something solid that will last. Any help would be appericated.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,994
Likes: 2,081
From: Newport,TN area
If you determine that the compensator needs to be replaced, you might consider
this "eliminator". I have never used this product, but perhaps someone that
has will respond with their impressions....
https://www.evolution-industries.com...ine-sprockets/
Good luck & hth,
T.
this "eliminator". I have never used this product, but perhaps someone that
has will respond with their impressions....
https://www.evolution-industries.com...ine-sprockets/
Good luck & hth,
T.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,143
Likes: 11,219
From: San Diego, CA
Hello all, I am a new harley owner
I managed to get it running but on start up the noise comming from the primary sounded lie someone was in side hitting it with a hammer. I looked in the inspecton cover and I believe the Chain tensioner in a hayden. I think the chain is loose and hitting the primary cover or I have a bad compensator.
I know I need to pull the primary cover and check everyting out, however if it is the compensator I was wondering what options I have when it comes to replacing it price is a factor but I want something solid that will last. Any help would be appericated.
IMHO...
Your year OEM compensator was a solid design that had few problems. The wear parts (with ramps or springs) are still available if you find an issue with them. In your shoes, if I found compensator pars in need of replacement, I would get the new parts and keep that comp.
FWIW...
Your year comp design gave good service from shovel head days, through EVO engines, and in Twin Cams until 2007. That's when HD "updated" the comp design, and had 7 years of issues through several comp upgrades until the most current version was introduced in the Rushmore engines in 2014. 2007 until 2014 were the troublesome comp years that gave rise to many comp replacement horror stories. Yours was not one of the problematic comps...
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 21,093
Likes: 7,622
From: Poolville
Totally agree with @hattitude
If anything get rid of the Hayden and go back to the OEM tensioner.. It's still the best in the entire Evo Platform.. My 115/110 97" Evo still uses the OEM setup without any issues now at 87k on the clock...
If anything get rid of the Hayden and go back to the OEM tensioner.. It's still the best in the entire Evo Platform.. My 115/110 97" Evo still uses the OEM setup without any issues now at 87k on the clock...
Thread Starter
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Stage II
Joined: Nov 2025
Posts: 2
Likes: 2
Thanks to everyone for your advice and taking the time to respond. It is starting to get cold in Minnesota riding is pretty much done for the year so I guess I have all winter to figure the issue out. I will update the post when I figure verything out and let everyone know how it went.
Thanks again.
Thanks again.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 344
Likes: 121
From: Hakuba Japan
If its a low mile bike my money is on the primary having no oil in it, the chain has stretched and is banging on the inner. You can guess how I know that.......Takes 5 mins to remove the primary cover and all will be revealed.
If it is the compensator Id be using OEM replaceparts for the reason explained above by Hattitudes detailed post.
If it is the compensator Id be using OEM replaceparts for the reason explained above by Hattitudes detailed post.
Last edited by panhead_pete; Nov 21, 2025 at 07:38 PM.
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