Touring Models Road King, Road King Custom, Road King Classic, Road Glide, Street Glide, Electra Glide, Electra Glide Classic, and Electra Glide Ultra Classic bikes.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Compensator sprocket

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 6, 2015 | 12:40 PM
  #1  
gilbert_roadking's Avatar
gilbert_roadking
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 238
Likes: 0
From: Arizona
Default Compensator sprocket

Hi all,

A while back I posted a thread about a loud chain slapping noise when the throttle is adjusted quickly up or down like going over bumps etc...

Many of you suggested the compensator which I now believe is the culprit. I do not believe there is really anything wrong with mine and my Harley service manager said he hears bikes that make the noise and those that don't, but it does not mean there is something bad happening.

My question is - I have read on different forums that replacing the stock compensator can and does alleviate the slapping noise and most all replaced with either the SE sprocket/compensator or other brands.

Which do you recommend as a replacement? Is the SE a good replacement for a fairly stock bike or is there a better alternative?

Is this a do-it-yourself project? I watched some videos and it seems within the realm of something that does not look too difficult.

As always, thanks for your input!
 
Reply
Old May 6, 2015 | 12:43 PM
  #2  
soft 02's Avatar
soft 02
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 66,948
Likes: 4,573
From: TOAK western branch
Default

Is this on an Evo?
 
Reply
Old May 6, 2015 | 12:44 PM
  #3  
soft 02's Avatar
soft 02
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 66,948
Likes: 4,573
From: TOAK western branch
Default

If its a Twinkie id go with the Baker comp.
 
Reply
Old May 6, 2015 | 01:45 PM
  #4  
foxtrapper's Avatar
foxtrapper
HDF Community Team
Veteran: Navy
Veteran: National Guard
10 Year Member
Top Answer: 3
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 6,186
Likes: 2,412
From: USA
Community Team
Default

Bad compensator causing a chain slap noise? Wouldn't simple excessive slack be more likely?
 
Reply
Old May 6, 2015 | 01:51 PM
  #5  
Joe12RK's Avatar
Joe12RK
Seasoned HDF Member
10 Year Member
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 6,144
Likes: 2,547
From: CT/FL
Default

what year is your bike? the newer ones got the SE comp stock
 
Reply
Old May 6, 2015 | 05:23 PM
  #6  
gilbert_roadking's Avatar
gilbert_roadking
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 238
Likes: 0
From: Arizona
Default

Sorry, I am still new to Harley's but what is a "Twinkie"? I have a 2012 RKC.

32k on the bike - could the chain already have that much slack?

If I am barking up the wrong tree - please let me know. I do not want to shotgun fix a problem that may not even be a problem.

Thanks again
 
Reply
Old May 6, 2015 | 05:28 PM
  #7  
soft 02's Avatar
soft 02
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 66,948
Likes: 4,573
From: TOAK western branch
Default

Twin cam "twinkie". You have an auto adjuster. They only get tighter. Never loosen up. Need to get the specs on yours. My 07 is 5/8 cold. Since 07 the comps have been problematic on some bikes. Ive gone through 5 of them. Time to take the primary cover off and take some measurements.

I went to a manual adjuster because one day it decided to get too tight. I also ordered a Baker comp. Tired of replacing my comp every other year.
 
Reply
Old May 6, 2015 | 06:36 PM
  #8  
hellbilly78's Avatar
hellbilly78
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 368
Likes: 3
From: pennsylvania
Default

I have a 2012 sg luckily enough i havent had to change the compensator yet. But if your goin to replace it id go with the baker as well.
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

 Verdad Gallardo
Old May 6, 2015 | 07:10 PM
  #9  
hullhorr's Avatar
hullhorr
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,478
Likes: 184
From: Mount Airy, MD
Default

If your new to Harley and your bike has 32K on it I am going to guess you bought it used. The previous owner could have swapped the primary chain adjuster for an aftermarket like a Hayden or Baker. The Baker is a manual adjusting one so it is possible to get some chain slap if it is out of adjustment.

The compensator going south is very possible also. The lack of lubrication getting to the proper areas makes them go south prematurely. I went with a solid sprocket on mine to do away with the compensator and it works for me, but is not for everyone. The Baker Compensator is new to the market so the jury is still out on how it does, but knowing Baker it is probably a good piece.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
jgcable
Dyna Glide Models
3
Aug 11, 2014 06:15 PM
the warden
Touring Models
5
Nov 17, 2013 05:45 PM
wrenchguy24
Touring Models
26
Jul 11, 2012 05:39 AM
x1rider
Touring Models
18
Jun 20, 2012 01:23 PM
1HD2NV
Touring Models
2
Jun 15, 2010 10:47 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:10 PM.

story-0
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-4
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-5
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-6
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE
story-9
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

Slideshow: Graeme Billington's left-hand-drive Shovelhead is as much about problem-solving as it is about classic Harley form.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-30 11:27:08


VIEW MORE