Compensator repair question
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,178
Likes: 600
From: SoCal.....I'm only here for the weather
Search some of my past threads for information on compensator failure, causes and at least in my case, the solution. Which was S&S Easy Start cams. I'm in no way saying this is a fix for all, but in my case it absolutely made the difference.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 11,475
Likes: 3,001
From: Charleston, SC
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.
The difference is that your crank is not spinning at start up.
The weak springs allow the comp to turn to full lock, the chain bunches to one side, the crank starts to turn, then engine starts, the chain and comp goes full opposite direction and bangs against the other end stop like a rubber band.
Stuff is real. I've seen it and have experienced it. Furthermore, Mark at baker pointed this out, and someone went through the trouble of making a clear primary cover to watch it do it's thing.
They were not Tin Men - engineering types trying to help is what I saw.
Last edited by lp; May 16, 2017 at 07:33 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,586
Likes: 6,435
From: Honah Lee
Sure it will do what you say if the spring was that weak. Two things here, however, would also have to happen. Belville springs rarely wear out. They can fatigue and break but that is rare since the move very little and are in confines that do not permit that say in like you pull a coil spring too far.
It would do the same thing when you shift and apply a lot of throttle. The gas motor is way more powerful than that little starter motor. However, you can make a normal good compensator bang by WOT slam shift a Harley. However, if Harley designed it to take that, it would serve no purpose. It's purpose is to smooth that little uneven firing order impulses and the only two cylinder impulses. If a Harley was a V8, it would not even be needed. However, that rubber shock drive would be for sure.
It would do the same thing when you shift and apply a lot of throttle. The gas motor is way more powerful than that little starter motor. However, you can make a normal good compensator bang by WOT slam shift a Harley. However, if Harley designed it to take that, it would serve no purpose. It's purpose is to smooth that little uneven firing order impulses and the only two cylinder impulses. If a Harley was a V8, it would not even be needed. However, that rubber shock drive would be for sure.
Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 21,078
Likes: 19,236
From: The Wasteland
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.
Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 21,078
Likes: 19,236
From: The Wasteland
Has anyone had issue with this plastic piece falling off and getting ground to bits by the primary chain?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 11,475
Likes: 3,001
From: Charleston, SC
Sure it will do what you say if the spring was that weak. Two things here, however, would also have to happen. Belville springs rarely wear out. They can fatigue and break but that is rare since the move very little and are in confines that do not permit that say in like you pull a coil spring too far.
It would do the same thing when you shift and apply a lot of throttle. The gas motor is way more powerful than that little starter motor. However, you can make a normal good compensator bang by WOT slam shift a Harley. However, if Harley designed it to take that, it would serve no purpose. It's purpose is to smooth that little uneven firing order impulses and the only two cylinder impulses. If a Harley was a V8, it would not even be needed. However, that rubber shock drive would be for sure.
It would do the same thing when you shift and apply a lot of throttle. The gas motor is way more powerful than that little starter motor. However, you can make a normal good compensator bang by WOT slam shift a Harley. However, if Harley designed it to take that, it would serve no purpose. It's purpose is to smooth that little uneven firing order impulses and the only two cylinder impulses. If a Harley was a V8, it would not even be needed. However, that rubber shock drive would be for sure.
During that time the chain is pulling the ramp in the opposite direction it normally would be when the engine is running. Meaning, that the crank is being pulled by the chain (like on decel).
So the comp is being ramped in the opposite direction than when accelerating.
As soon as the engine starts/catches, the comp goes full on reverse direction as the crank out runs the compressed ramp.
The 07-2010? comp with it's weak springs will allow the ramp to bang/clap like a shotgun as it hits the opposite end stop.
When the engine and everything is already running/spinning, the springs are strong enough to keep the ramps centered and only deflect as much as the cylinder pulses.
When you down shift or gun it, the comp runs to one end stop and then slides back down to center after the load is removed or tapered.
It doesn't go from one end stop to end stop with considerable force - therefore no clap.
The newer comps employ a huge, much larger spring pack. Fixed the issue. No more clap.
I have never heard of it happening. May have, but have not seen it.
Last edited by lp; May 16, 2017 at 09:09 AM.
Novice
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 19
Likes: 1
From: Fl
Do a search in this very forum. You will find more information than you can digest in a week. You need to really research this issue before throwing money into a new comp. There are multiple threads discussing this and believe me, they will make your head spin.
Search some of my past threads for information on compensator failure, causes and at least in my case, the solution. Which was S&S Easy Start cams. I'm in no way saying this is a fix for all, but in my case it absolutely made the difference.
Search some of my past threads for information on compensator failure, causes and at least in my case, the solution. Which was S&S Easy Start cams. I'm in no way saying this is a fix for all, but in my case it absolutely made the difference.
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