Compensator or starter ?
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Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2013
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From: USA
Compensator or starter ?
My grandson recently bought a 2007 Electra Glide with 45k on the clock. He is proud as a peacock and happy as could be. I wish he had taken me with when he went shopping but he didn't so it is what it is. After riding for a few days he brought it by my house and complained that after he's been riding it a lot and the bike is pretty warm, it "starts funny". When he hits the starter there is a short grinding noise followed by a pretty loud bang and the bike does not start. Second try the bike started normally.
My first thought is compensator. But how do we trouble shoot and make sure it's not the starter ?
My first thought is compensator. But how do we trouble shoot and make sure it's not the starter ?
Last edited by 472viper; May 7, 2015 at 10:45 AM.
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From: Western Illinois, land of bad roads, and corrupt politicians
The bang is usually associated with a compensator going bad. But the grinding noise isn't.
I'd say pull the primary cover and start looking.
I'd say pull the primary cover and start looking.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 465
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From: Cleveland, Ohio
It is well noted that that starting in 07 these bikes had a real issue with the compensator. I would put money on it that its the compensator.
Now if you go to start the bike and just keep your thumb on the starter, will the bike still start if you push through the bang? I know a lot of people hear the bang and take their thumb off the starter but you shouldn't have to do that.
But other things to look at to see if it is the compensator would be the bike shutters when letting off the clutch in first gear or slack in the drive line with rolling on/off the throttle.
I just did the comp on my 08 a few weeks ago and the new one took care of all of the above issues. I guess it is just a crummy design. My old comp looked in good shape when I took it out. Very minor wear on the ramps and no rust anywhere. I am pretty confident that it would have lasted quite a bit longer. I had already ordered all the parts tho before I took the old one off and with Sturgis coming up in a few months I didn't want to take any chances.
Now if you go to start the bike and just keep your thumb on the starter, will the bike still start if you push through the bang? I know a lot of people hear the bang and take their thumb off the starter but you shouldn't have to do that.
But other things to look at to see if it is the compensator would be the bike shutters when letting off the clutch in first gear or slack in the drive line with rolling on/off the throttle.
I just did the comp on my 08 a few weeks ago and the new one took care of all of the above issues. I guess it is just a crummy design. My old comp looked in good shape when I took it out. Very minor wear on the ramps and no rust anywhere. I am pretty confident that it would have lasted quite a bit longer. I had already ordered all the parts tho before I took the old one off and with Sturgis coming up in a few months I didn't want to take any chances.
Last edited by dibe; May 7, 2015 at 10:35 AM.
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The compensator is the culprit but it has also weakened the starter clutch from the backlash. The starter clutch is where the grinding is coming from. Compensator and starter clutch will need to be replaced.
A good way to test the Comp...hold front brake and with the bike in first gear let out on the clutch about half way. If it stays quiet the Comp is good. If it starts chattering and knocking it's time to replace it.
2010 Limited with some stuff
A good way to test the Comp...hold front brake and with the bike in first gear let out on the clutch about half way. If it stays quiet the Comp is good. If it starts chattering and knocking it's time to replace it.
2010 Limited with some stuff
Last edited by SBates08; May 7, 2015 at 10:41 AM.
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The compensator is the culprit but it has also weakened the starter clutch from the backlash. The starter clutch is where the grinding is coming from. Compensator and starter clutch will need to be replaced.
A good way to test the Comp...hold front brake and with the bike in first gear let out on the clutch about half way. If it stays quiet the Comp is good. If it starts chattering and knocking it's time to replace it.
2010 Limited with some stuff
A good way to test the Comp...hold front brake and with the bike in first gear let out on the clutch about half way. If it stays quiet the Comp is good. If it starts chattering and knocking it's time to replace it.
2010 Limited with some stuff
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The compensator is the culprit but it has also weakened the starter clutch from the backlash. The starter clutch is where the grinding is coming from. Compensator and starter clutch will need to be replaced.
A good way to test the Comp...hold front brake and with the bike in first gear let out on the clutch about half way. If it stays quiet the Comp is good. If it starts chattering and knocking it's time to replace it.
2010 Limited with some stuff
A good way to test the Comp...hold front brake and with the bike in first gear let out on the clutch about half way. If it stays quiet the Comp is good. If it starts chattering and knocking it's time to replace it.
2010 Limited with some stuff
This is dead on.
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From: Lake, Ms
2010 Limited with some stuff