Compensator repair question
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,178
Likes: 600
From: SoCal.....I'm only here for the weather
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...l#post15950339
I repeat.
And I know it may not work for everybody. But it worked for me. And not everybody's tried it!
I repeat.
And I know it may not work for everybody. But it worked for me. And not everybody's tried it!
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,236
Likes: 95
From: lancaster, pa
depends how long you want to keep it. tomorrow you could say thanks but i traded...only you really know?
my learning curve went like this.
over the years...got the se unit as an improvement,then the baker as an improvement. not really a grinding noise issue.
grinding noise came later but comp might have been related in the long run.
after a few band aids just dove in and replaced chain,clutch hud w/bearing,new starter 1.7kw and really stronger battery w/better cables. Already have mcr's,,,so about 700$ to address the hard starting grinding mess. like mensioned and in my hind sight it was various parts of the system.
Now when i hit the starter button theres a new thing that happens, the front of the bike seems to lift up and I hear the engine start.Its like all the power is focused on where it should be.
my learning curve went like this.
over the years...got the se unit as an improvement,then the baker as an improvement. not really a grinding noise issue.
grinding noise came later but comp might have been related in the long run.
after a few band aids just dove in and replaced chain,clutch hud w/bearing,new starter 1.7kw and really stronger battery w/better cables. Already have mcr's,,,so about 700$ to address the hard starting grinding mess. like mensioned and in my hind sight it was various parts of the system.
Now when i hit the starter button theres a new thing that happens, the front of the bike seems to lift up and I hear the engine start.Its like all the power is focused on where it should be.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,962
Likes: 140
From: NY
I have been getting the occasional hard start and loud bang when I hit the starter on my 09 Road King Classic. Usually this happens when the bike is hot and has been running for a while. Yesterday I got home from a ride and stopped in the driveway to remove my helmet and open the shed door. When I went to start the bike it sounded like something was grinding pretty bad in the primary. I have been reading about it and it sounds like the compensator is shot. My question is for those who have had the repair done- what is the best case/worst case scenario as far as price is concerned? If I only have to replace the compensator its self it would be cheaper than if other parts are damaged right?
The reason I ask is I have been thinking of selling or trading the bike in. I wont stick the next guy with it but I do like to know how much of the money I have put aside for a newer bike will be spent to fix this one (if I do decide to trade/sell it).
The reason I ask is I have been thinking of selling or trading the bike in. I wont stick the next guy with it but I do like to know how much of the money I have put aside for a newer bike will be spent to fix this one (if I do decide to trade/sell it).
I has same symptoms/issue on my 09 EG-ULTRA and replaced stock comp with a new HD SE comp kit approx 2.5-3yrs ago.
I have had no issues thus far with approx 16k+ miles on the new SE comp never hearing a clunk or bang on hot or clod startup again.
Cost me approx $370 for the new SE comp kit (inc new large rotor required for my 09) online from Surdyke and then add a few bucks more for outer prim case gasket,prim case oil and thats about it.
I chose to grind inner prim case (using Demel) to make enough clearance to install the larger new rotor that come with SE comp kit vs removing inner prim case.
I didnt need to replace the prim chain tensioner either because it had little to no wear showing on the rubbing block and didn't seen to have prim chain to tight either.
Unless i am overlooking something the complete job cost me approx $400.
Oh,forgot to also mention i didnt have to remove clutch basket assembly either because there was just enough stretch / slop in prim chain (w-prim chain adjuster removed) to remove old comp and then install new Se comp.
So between chhosing to not remove inner prim case and taking 10-15mins to grind outer prim case & not having to remove clutch basket assembly too that collectively saved me sig time and effort in doing the comp swap.
Scott
Last edited by wscott; Apr 28, 2017 at 09:49 PM.
Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 21,078
Likes: 19,235
From: The Wasteland
So I had it to the dealer yesterday and scheduled to have the work done. While speaking to the service guy he mentioned that they would need to epoxy a part to the inside of the primary. WTF is that about?
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,344
Likes: 173
From: Watertown, CT
Directs oil to the compensator.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,178
Likes: 600
From: SoCal.....I'm only here for the weather
So the HD engineers basically came up with a workaround. They actually glue a plastic funnel to the upper portion of the inner primary so that as the chain runs through the pool of oil on the bottom it slings some of the oil upwards where it enters this "funnel" shaped plastic piece and that piece re-directs some of the primary case oil directly onto the compensator. Thought being that the added lubrication will add life to a poorly designed system.
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 135
Likes: 22
From: Taylor, MI and Munith Michigan
I need to change bearings for the clutch. I think ill hit this issue at the same time. My starter sounds like it starts to turn the bike over then disengages to a grind. Does it more when hot but also once in a while on a cold start.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,586
Likes: 6,435
From: Honah Lee
The battery is worn out or cables are loose more than likely. The banging is not the compensator. The compensator is a cast steel unfinished. It will make a little normal noise. If the compensator was so weak it banged on starts, it would bang like that ever gear shift and especially downshifts. Tin men started this BS and it will never die. Especially from people who fell for it and did it by shelling out big bucks.
Not saying some compensators have not broken and the contact areas were too soft and really made way too much noise. But that bang is not the comp.
Not saying some compensators have not broken and the contact areas were too soft and really made way too much noise. But that bang is not the comp.