Bad Compensator
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 10,637
Likes: 1,246
From: Lake, Ms
Here's a link to help you with replacing the starter clutch. It's for an 09 but the 08 is done the same way.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...html?styleid=8
2010 Limited with some stuff!!
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...html?styleid=8
2010 Limited with some stuff!!
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 303
Likes: 21
From: Fort St.John, BC
My '08 is doing the exact same thing. No noise when running or riding, and only when cranking the starter when it's hot. I was sure I was going to see damaged ring gear teeth when I pulled the cover, but all looks perfect. No shavings at all on the magnetic drain plug either, which I assume there would be with a failing compensator.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 518
Likes: 83
From: NC
Sounds like what happened when the compensator went bad on my '09 Ultra taking the starter shaft and rotor with it at 30,000 miles. I'd say there's a better than average chance that both have bit the dust.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,806
Likes: 281
From: Green Country Oklahoma
Anything since 07 have compensator issue and even though 2014 was improved from previous but it's improved again since then lets see how long that one last. I'm on my 3rd and most recent one but ESP helped me lot with this on going problem. Wait too long it will take down your starter or least it did mine.
Last edited by Punjabi Rider; Nov 18, 2014 at 08:34 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,343
Likes: 173
From: Watertown, CT
FWIW.. I replaced both the comp and the starter drive on my '10 RK to eliminate the same problem you have and found out my battery was a little too weak. Replaced the battery and all is well.
You could just do the drive but I would open up the primary to check the comp , drive and chain tensioner. Just my .02
You could just do the drive but I would open up the primary to check the comp , drive and chain tensioner. Just my .02
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 24,650
Likes: 9,112
From: Snow Hill, NC
My 07 did all of this, starter was replaced with a high torque and the problem stayed , it all went away with a SE comp....I had no primary noises only a sound like a car starter that is shimmed wrong, every one told me it was a starter problem but since I ot a new comp about 15000 miles ago it's gone
Last edited by Notgrownup; Nov 19, 2014 at 03:42 AM.
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 165
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
You will not be able to tell if your comp is bad just by looking at it. The problem was the spring pack in that comp gets weak. The se comp has a heavier spring pack that is separate from the alternator rotor. This is why you will need to replace the alt rotor when upgrading to the se compensator.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 95
Likes: 6
From: Lafayette, LA
My 08 Deluxe did the exact same thing. Sounded awful when I tried to start it up while hot. It choked, sputtered, coughed and grinded. It did it for a while and only got worse over time. By the end it actually killed the battery (old battery) a couple times trying to start it.
I replaced it with a screamin eagle compensator and the problem went away immediately. No more grinding and it started up right away all the time, every time.
Was a pretty easy swap out. Wish I'd have done it sooner.
I replaced it with a screamin eagle compensator and the problem went away immediately. No more grinding and it started up right away all the time, every time.
Was a pretty easy swap out. Wish I'd have done it sooner.