Compensator Lifespan
Supporter
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 4,133
Likes: 147
From: Grays Creek, NC
I believe most of the issues started when Harley started putting the SE comp in with the 103 standard. You don't see a lot of the 96" and smaller engines having these issues unless they upgraded to the SE comp, like I mistakenly did. Should have just left the stock non-SE com in mine. Now I'm on my 3rd SE type.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,034
Likes: 128
I wondered the same thing. Forums are always full of the people that have all the problems that get posted for the public to see. But what about the thousands of touring bikes that never experience premature comp failure. I do agree that it is a poorly designed part for the long run, but there are lots of variables that will wear the comp out faster than normal. I often wonder if many of the premature failures have a lot to do with personal riding styles. The comp is ultimately wear item that eventually needs maintenence. It's a poorly lubricated item and it's metal on metal design wears out.
I also believe that some people have a different perception of what they think they see and hear when it comes to their engine's parts etc. Some might call that paranoia.
I think that there are a lot of compensators sold and installed because some tech monkey told a client, "Hear that noise in there? That clunk sound means your compensator is about to go out. You had better get that taken care of before it tears up your whole engine".
I find it funny that people now refer to the comp as a wear item. The 5 speed compensators went 100,000 to 200,000 miles and we never heard a single complaint. We have a new one coming should start shipping them in February then Harley will have a blue print of how to do it right and then you will see in the 2016 SE catalog a compensator that looks very similar to ours. Ride safe or like a bat out of hell either way if you break it and can be fixed.
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 165
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
Replaced the comp on my 09 Ultra at 40K. Ramps showed no signs of wear but the springs were weak. When it got warm, I needed to ride the clutch & give a lot of gas when starting from a stop or it would rattle like a diesel. Then one day while I was out I couldn't get it started because it kept kicking back. After 6 tries it finally started so I went home and ordered a new comp & rotor. After I replaced the comp the bike started and ran was like it was new.
Former Sponsor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 10,968
Likes: 54
My 02 softail had the stock comp on for 75k miles and then I put on a belt drive primary. It looked brand new when I took it off. I still have it sitting around somewhere. It will be exciting to see what Baker has come up with as I am sure they have done their homework on this subject.
Here is a pic of my comp and the wear that came out at 30k. The wear you can see is why I refer to it as a wear item which it should not be.
Here is a pic of my comp and the wear that came out at 30k. The wear you can see is why I refer to it as a wear item which it should not be.
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My 02 softail had the stock comp on for 75k miles and then I put on a belt drive primary. It looked brand new when I took it off. I still have it sitting around somewhere. It will be exciting to see what Baker has come up with as I am sure they have done their homework on this subject.
Here is a pic of my comp and the wear that came out at 30k. The wear you can see is why I refer to it as a wear item which it should not be.
Here is a pic of my comp and the wear that came out at 30k. The wear you can see is why I refer to it as a wear item which it should not be.
