Compensator Noise?
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 43
Likes: 9
From: Central Texas
Compensator Noise?
Howdy Folks,
I purchased a new to me 2012 FLHTK in December last year. It had a louder than ticking but not quite knocking sound from the left side of the motor. It became louder and more of a knock after about 1500 miles. I pulled the rocker covers off to install the rocker lockers and replace a slightly leaking gasket on rear rocker box. Thought that might be the sound. No go. reassembled and still have the knock at the compensator area. I pulled the clutch and compensator and inspected the compensator and sprocket. Attached are image of both parts showing wear marks. I don't know if this is normal or needs replacing. The sound is definitely coming from the compesator area as we started the bike in neutral with the primary cover off and could identify the sound coming from there. It is a constant "knock" with each engine pulse not just at starting or shut down. The compensator bolt was tight not loose as I have seen others talk about. Is compensator noise something that happens only at startup / shutdown or happens continuously as my noise does? Doing the work myself as to limited funds and luke cold support from the war department. I have considered putting in the Baker compensator upgrade if it is determined the compesator / wear is the issue. The photos don't show the wear to its full glory. the wear marks can be felt with fingernails and shallow gouges / galling. Should i look elsewhere for other issues?
This is my first post to the Forum. Thanks for your help, I need to get her back on the road.
Square your actions by the square of Virtue!
Tom
I purchased a new to me 2012 FLHTK in December last year. It had a louder than ticking but not quite knocking sound from the left side of the motor. It became louder and more of a knock after about 1500 miles. I pulled the rocker covers off to install the rocker lockers and replace a slightly leaking gasket on rear rocker box. Thought that might be the sound. No go. reassembled and still have the knock at the compensator area. I pulled the clutch and compensator and inspected the compensator and sprocket. Attached are image of both parts showing wear marks. I don't know if this is normal or needs replacing. The sound is definitely coming from the compesator area as we started the bike in neutral with the primary cover off and could identify the sound coming from there. It is a constant "knock" with each engine pulse not just at starting or shut down. The compensator bolt was tight not loose as I have seen others talk about. Is compensator noise something that happens only at startup / shutdown or happens continuously as my noise does? Doing the work myself as to limited funds and luke cold support from the war department. I have considered putting in the Baker compensator upgrade if it is determined the compesator / wear is the issue. The photos don't show the wear to its full glory. the wear marks can be felt with fingernails and shallow gouges / galling. Should i look elsewhere for other issues?
This is my first post to the Forum. Thanks for your help, I need to get her back on the road.
Square your actions by the square of Virtue!
Tom
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,385
Likes: 1,442
From: Brentwood
That looks bad in the pics but I’m not a good enough wrench to give you a definant answer. I hope you get an answer from someone with more experince on this issue.
I just had mine replaced under ESP but I was just getting the big clunk on Hot Starts. I didn’t ask to see the damaged comp.
Good Luck with this one.
I just had mine replaced under ESP but I was just getting the big clunk on Hot Starts. I didn’t ask to see the damaged comp.
Good Luck with this one.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 5,281
Likes: 3,419
From: Idaho Panhandle
Looks like inadequate oiling. Looks like whom ever changed your primary, used one quart, not the recommended 38 ounces wet. The primary oil needs to be on the clutch plates, as it is that plate which throws the oil up onto the compensator.
Many mechanics just use on quart and call it good.
Of course, I could be wrong, I frequently am in other peoples eyes, yet I don't see it.
Many mechanics just use on quart and call it good.
Of course, I could be wrong, I frequently am in other peoples eyes, yet I don't see it.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,236
Likes: 95
From: lancaster, pa
seen two spent comps in my bike is all i can say. have had the baker in for a few years now and its doing fine. they just started clacking more and more...the stock one was very loud and banged. se just started getting louder, i would say it looks like its on its way out the door imo
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 11,471
Likes: 2,998
From: Charleston, SC
This was pretty common with that year compensator.
It was redesigned a few years later to incorporate internal passages for proper oiling.
Look up the newest SE Compensator for your application which seems to hold up pretty well, or like you stated earlier, move on to a Baker.
It was redesigned a few years later to incorporate internal passages for proper oiling.
Look up the newest SE Compensator for your application which seems to hold up pretty well, or like you stated earlier, move on to a Baker.
Last edited by lp; Mar 30, 2018 at 02:33 PM.
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 43
Likes: 9
From: Central Texas
Thanks guys for the input. I went by Cowboy Harley today in Austin. Parts guy went and got the service supervisor and he was very helpful. Said the damage was pretty severe and that this was not the original compensator. Before asking he said he would put a Baker in instead of OEM. He said likely would be doing it again in 20k with std replacement. The noise I described to him he said was absolutely the comp. And that the spring disks were weak. Not the same height as original therefore not taking the full energy thrust and allowing the comp and sprocket to hit against each other too hard. The groves in the three arms of the sprocket have oil grooves in them, one of them was worn down completely.
Bad thing is Baker is back ordered until late April on the model I need. He said I could run the current parts without worry of other damage if I could stand the racket.
I'll update when completed. Again thanks for the input, Looks like Baker is the way to go.
Tom
Bad thing is Baker is back ordered until late April on the model I need. He said I could run the current parts without worry of other damage if I could stand the racket.
I'll update when completed. Again thanks for the input, Looks like Baker is the way to go.
Tom
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Thanks guys for the input. I went by Cowboy Harley today in Austin. Parts guy went and got the service supervisor and he was very helpful. Said the damage was pretty severe and that this was not the original compensator. Before asking he said he would put a Baker in instead of OEM. He said likely would be doing it again in 20k with std replacement. The noise I described to him he said was absolutely the comp. And that the spring disks were weak. Not the same height as original therefore not taking the full energy thrust and allowing the comp and sprocket to hit against each other too hard. The groves in the three arms of the sprocket have oil grooves in them, one of them was worn down completely.
Bad thing is Baker is back ordered until late April on the model I need. He said I could run the current parts without worry of other damage if I could stand the racket.
I'll update when completed. Again thanks for the input, Looks like Baker is the way to go.
Tom
Bad thing is Baker is back ordered until late April on the model I need. He said I could run the current parts without worry of other damage if I could stand the racket.
I'll update when completed. Again thanks for the input, Looks like Baker is the way to go.
Tom
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