Increased Vibration After Compensator Replacement
Increased Vibration After Compensator Replacement
My apologies in advance if this has been covered already, but I didn't find what I was looking for when searching through compensator articles.
I was having problems starting my 2008 Heritage Classic after it was warmed up so I took it to the dealer. They diagnosed the issue as a bad compensator sprocket. ESP covered the costs minus deductible, which was nice, and my startup issues are now gone. However, I am noticing a significant increase in vibration on my footboards and highway pegs than was present before the compensator replacement. The dealer told me that the normal replacement now is a SE version. Should I notice a significant increase in vibration?
Thanks all!!!
I was having problems starting my 2008 Heritage Classic after it was warmed up so I took it to the dealer. They diagnosed the issue as a bad compensator sprocket. ESP covered the costs minus deductible, which was nice, and my startup issues are now gone. However, I am noticing a significant increase in vibration on my footboards and highway pegs than was present before the compensator replacement. The dealer told me that the normal replacement now is a SE version. Should I notice a significant increase in vibration?
Thanks all!!!
I am going to call the dealer on Monday to inquire. The compensator should be reducing vibration of the crankshaft, so I would not expect more. A friend of mine suggested checking the chain alignment, which makes sense, but I would rather let the dealer do that.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,593
Likes: 11
From: Mass/NH
I have had mine apart doing repairs...There are multiple components that go on the shaft to make up the comp. , if not positioned correctly, you could easily get additional vibration. Don't leave it, push them to fix it. When you fix something, it's supposed to be better...
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,477
Likes: 14
From: Western MD
I put a SE Comp in my 07 FB and have way less vibs in it. I though i read somewhere here that if the primary chain tensioner is too tight it can cause vibs.. not sure on that though.
Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
Likes: 821
From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
I don't remember ever reading that the Comp caused hard starting issues.
It can cause the stator go bad causing starting issues.
Most I remember with the comp was the Clunk on start up or Rattling in the motor on acceleration (usually loose comp nut) in the 07's-08's and 09's with the 07's the worse.
It seems like I remember that in 07 when some in here were replacing them they were not a simple bolt in change out.. There was something that had to be done for the SE comp to work right.
Seen like they (member were cuting grooves and slots to improve the hub lubercation, U' need to do some researching to find out what the deal was.
Here's another members post about the SE comp. from this thread https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...ch-better.html
10-31-2012, 10:04 PM
btsom
Senior Rider
Garage is empty, add now
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 417
I hope you get the best deal possible. Part of the price of the change is a new rotor, the old one is not compatible with the new comp assembly. The comp and spring pack may be about what was quoted above, but the new rotor adds a bit to the overall cost.
I have around 32,000 miles on my SE comp. It got noisy when I tried ATF in the primary but quieted down again with 20-50 back in the primary. I have done the grooves and slots modifications to improve hub and cam face lubrication and will assume that has done the trick until it gets noisy again.
My stock comp (08 Road King) made the engine start bang from day one. Didn't know what it was for almost 2 years. Nearing 15,000 miles the primary got so noisy and rough I couldn't stand it any more. Naturally, was told "they all do that" so I installed the SE comp myself. Have never been sorry, it was a great improvement and I continue to be well pleased.
here's a write up on it.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...it-w-pics.html
.
It can cause the stator go bad causing starting issues.
Most I remember with the comp was the Clunk on start up or Rattling in the motor on acceleration (usually loose comp nut) in the 07's-08's and 09's with the 07's the worse.
It seems like I remember that in 07 when some in here were replacing them they were not a simple bolt in change out.. There was something that had to be done for the SE comp to work right.
Seen like they (member were cuting grooves and slots to improve the hub lubercation, U' need to do some researching to find out what the deal was.
Here's another members post about the SE comp. from this thread https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...ch-better.html
10-31-2012, 10:04 PM
btsom
Senior Rider
Garage is empty, add now
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 417
I hope you get the best deal possible. Part of the price of the change is a new rotor, the old one is not compatible with the new comp assembly. The comp and spring pack may be about what was quoted above, but the new rotor adds a bit to the overall cost.
I have around 32,000 miles on my SE comp. It got noisy when I tried ATF in the primary but quieted down again with 20-50 back in the primary. I have done the grooves and slots modifications to improve hub and cam face lubrication and will assume that has done the trick until it gets noisy again.
My stock comp (08 Road King) made the engine start bang from day one. Didn't know what it was for almost 2 years. Nearing 15,000 miles the primary got so noisy and rough I couldn't stand it any more. Naturally, was told "they all do that" so I installed the SE comp myself. Have never been sorry, it was a great improvement and I continue to be well pleased.
here's a write up on it.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...it-w-pics.html
.
Last edited by oct1949; Dec 17, 2012 at 04:47 AM.
Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
Likes: 821
From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
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Thank you everyone for your responses. I am grateful for all of the detailed information. Sorry for my lack of a timely response, work has kept me way too busy this week so far. I haven't had a chance to call the dealer yet for the same reason, but I hope to do so this afternoon.
The symptoms I was having when I took the bike in to the dealer was that once the engine was warmed up to normal operating temp and I shut it off, when I tried to restart it there would be clanging and it would sound like my starter gears were going to be sheared off and it would also blow back out the air cleaner. After the compensator replacement the problem went away completely. ESP covered the work so I only had a $50 deductable.
Related or not, other things that I had asked the dealer about also went away after the repair. One of those things was what sounded like something loose in the valve train on the front cylinder, engine ping when it shouldn't have, loss of torque pulling hills and shudder when taking off from a stop. All those things I was told was normal but didn't appear until I hit about 20k miles, and all are now gone. Mystery for sure! My bike runs better now than it has for the last 10k miles.
Also, after riding the bike for about 400 miles over the weekend it appears the vibration has lessened back to pre-compensator replacement. When I first got the bike back the vibration when riding up a hill (as in Texas Hill Country, not something serious) would vibrate my feet off the footboards and caused thigh pain if feet were on the highway pegs. Now it is a ton better.
Nevertheless, I am still going to call the dealer this afternoon.
The symptoms I was having when I took the bike in to the dealer was that once the engine was warmed up to normal operating temp and I shut it off, when I tried to restart it there would be clanging and it would sound like my starter gears were going to be sheared off and it would also blow back out the air cleaner. After the compensator replacement the problem went away completely. ESP covered the work so I only had a $50 deductable.
Related or not, other things that I had asked the dealer about also went away after the repair. One of those things was what sounded like something loose in the valve train on the front cylinder, engine ping when it shouldn't have, loss of torque pulling hills and shudder when taking off from a stop. All those things I was told was normal but didn't appear until I hit about 20k miles, and all are now gone. Mystery for sure! My bike runs better now than it has for the last 10k miles.
Also, after riding the bike for about 400 miles over the weekend it appears the vibration has lessened back to pre-compensator replacement. When I first got the bike back the vibration when riding up a hill (as in Texas Hill Country, not something serious) would vibrate my feet off the footboards and caused thigh pain if feet were on the highway pegs. Now it is a ton better.
Nevertheless, I am still going to call the dealer this afternoon.
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Dealer told me to check to make sure they tightened the ground to my battery and if that doesn't take care of it to bring it back in and leave it with them. They said if the ground is loose the vibration from extra throttle going up hills can cause a short and in return excessive vibration. I don't know what to think about that, but I will check it tonight anyway. Odds are I will end up taking it back in.
Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
Likes: 821
From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
Two times I had a miss when I figured out the batt cable bolt was loose.. but it didn't do it fast enough to feel like a miss.. but U need to check them 2-3 times a Yr anyway..
The 07's and 08's have the loud clunk on start up.. and Yes the SE comp usually fixes that..
It was last yr or this yr the SE comp is standard on all the 103's,
Ur viberation issue is Weird.. I'll say my 07 has been smooth since day one,, I don't even get a Buzz some say they have ,, Like the mirrors distorts their image at speeds. Mine doesn't do that either..
another thing is if Ur shoes rest's on the floorboard rather than just the Inserts U'll feel more vibs. Those rubber **** on the Inserts are made to absorb the vibs..
Glad to help most issues worked out for Ya..
.
The 07's and 08's have the loud clunk on start up.. and Yes the SE comp usually fixes that..
It was last yr or this yr the SE comp is standard on all the 103's,
Ur viberation issue is Weird.. I'll say my 07 has been smooth since day one,, I don't even get a Buzz some say they have ,, Like the mirrors distorts their image at speeds. Mine doesn't do that either..
another thing is if Ur shoes rest's on the floorboard rather than just the Inserts U'll feel more vibs. Those rubber **** on the Inserts are made to absorb the vibs..
Glad to help most issues worked out for Ya..
.