Compensator repair question
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 21,078
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From: The Wasteland
Compensator repair question
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).
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 963
Likes: 145
From: Displaced hillbilly
I had the same issue and sounds you're experiencing. It cost me about $700 in parts since I went the route of getting the Baker compensator and manual chain tensioner. It's not really that hard of install if you're mechanically inclined at all. Fixed the issue completely.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: The Wasteland
I forgot to mention that twice I have pulled away from a dead stop and heard what sounded and felt like something was "slipping" in the primary. A loud clattering sound and the bike wasn't accelerating like it should. Almost like if you pulled out from a stop in 3rd gear or something like that. Clutch issue?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,884
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From: Goldsboro, NC
I traded my SG in at 49,000 + miles on my RG, The dealer tried to beat me down 2,000 bucks on trade, I got him to only 500 from what I wanted,, he said there was something wrong when the service guy started it to take it around back from the front. (I rode an hour to the dealer) I told him, yea, the compensator, they all do it,,, you should have known that when I called and we discussed trade price,,,, he said not all, I said,, um, ya I think all, except the 40,000 dollar SE bikes, they have different ones I think,,, LOL
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 32,934
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From: Carlsbad, CA
Ya might have both bad Compensator and slipping clutch. If the Compensator was bad enough to "slip" or rotate...it would sound like a .50 cal machine gun. Check the clutch adjustment. Pull the clutch pack when you replace the Compensator, and examine it. Look for wear & or discoloration. Or just put in a SE spring and SE clutch when you put in the Baker Compensator...and be done with it.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 21,078
Likes: 19,235
From: The Wasteland
Anyone know what this might cost me? Parts and labor? I can probably do it myself but I don't have a garage so no good place to work on the bike.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2013
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From: dallas
take it to a good 'indie' and have them take a look at it. THis way you have the facts to make a decision. jmo.
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Grand HDF Member
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From: Oklahoma
From another one who has had your symptoms, mine needed the SE compensator "conversion" from the factory unit. The new compensator won't work with your current rotor, so that will have to be replaced also. Your grinding is most likely the starter clutch, not the main driveline clutch. The weak compensator beats the starter clutch to an early death. As the weak factory compensator gets more and more tired, the free movement increases and may be causing your slipping feeling when starting out, all stuff my bike did. I installed the new compensator and starter clutch at 15,000 miles and no trouble all the way to 86,500 it now has on it. The driveline clutch is still fine. The guys who want to spend the extra money go with the Baker compensator and it has mostly favorable reviews, far more favorable than the Harley unit. However, there are far more Harley units in use to complain about. I have no statistics to compare percentage of problems with either type. The late model Harley comps seem to have problems related to poor quality control in the springs causing looseness and rattling. Many have been replaced under warranty and Harley may be catching on to the spring problem.
I did my own work years ago so I can't even give a recent parts price. Go to your dealer and ask for an estimate for compensator and starter clutch replacement. That should answer your big question.
I did my own work years ago so I can't even give a recent parts price. Go to your dealer and ask for an estimate for compensator and starter clutch replacement. That should answer your big question.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: SoCal.....I'm only here for the weather
I traded my SG in at 49,000 + miles on my RG, The dealer tried to beat me down 2,000 bucks on trade, I got him to only 500 from what I wanted,, he said there was something wrong when the service guy started it to take it around back from the front. (I rode an hour to the dealer) I told him, yea, the compensator, they all do it,,, you should have known that when I called and we discussed trade price,,,, he said not all, I said,, um, ya I think all, except the 40,000 dollar SE bikes, they have different ones I think,,, LOL
"Reversal - (2 points) You score two points when your opponent has you down on the mat and you come from underneath and gain control of your opponent."
"They all do that". LOL I'm going to laugh all the way to sleep on this one tonight.