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Quick question for those of you that have done this upgrade .
I am replacing the stock compensator on my 2008 FLHTCU.
In reading the installation instructions for the SE comp install the directions say to glue the plastic deflector piece in the primary. It also states to use the metal retaining clip once glued in place. As I read through the rest of the directions there is no mention to remove the clip before installing the primary cover back on the bike. I would assume that it stays on but want to be sure before I button everything back up.
Don’t waste your time and $ with the SE Compensator. My SE compensAtor sounded like marbles in a coffee can after 5,000 miles. This was installed under warranty. The dealer said...wait for it...”they all do that, don’t start out so hard”
Put in a Baker Compensator and be done with it! My Baker has 20,000 quiet Miles.
Last edited by TriGeezer; Apr 30, 2018 at 08:53 PM.
Reason: Reordered...
There seemed to be a spring quality control problem early on with the latest design comp. The lack of reports about noisy comps on the newer machines suggests that has been fixed. I changed my original design SE comp for the latest version last fall and have only 1000 miles on the new one. The advantage I had over you was that I had the same type of springs on the old comp and on the new one. To avoid the chance of new springs being just barely below tolerance, I used the smallest old spring as a shim for the new install and have no complaints so far. Since you have not installed your new one yet, I would suggest getting the shim pack and installing it preemptively to avoid having to add it later. The new design looks good to me as it fixes the weaknesses in the previous designs, but only time and miles will tell if it is good for the long haul.
I installed a SE comp in my 2012 Ultra this spring. First, to answer the OP's question, I didn't need the glue in piece because I have a newer cover that has it molded in but it I took the instructions to mean the clip stays on.
I read about the new version of SE comps being noisy. I measured the spring pack before install and it is well within tollerance. My understanding is the new style roller bearing bushing makes the new comps noisy at Idle. I found mine to be noisy at idle after warm up and noisy when taking off.
After doing some research, I changed the fluid from BelRay to Formual Plus and slightly raised the idle speed (which I can easily do because I have a Thunder Max ECM). This all but eliminated the noise at idle. At take off I found that if I give it a little more gas the noise there is gone as well.
Just installed the SE comp on my 2008 RG. Followed the directions it came with along with the threads on here and it was no problem. I don't have a ton of miles on it yet so can't really speak to the reliability, but it cured my hot-start grinding and feels smoother overall.
I kept that retaining clip on, it snaps on tight but I added some of the glue under and over it to make sure it will definitely stay in place.
I installed one and have 25k miles as shown in this photo taken this morning zero complaints and I hammered on it a lot I used the glue on part and it held good dont remember a clip
Dont waste your time and $ with the SE Compensator. My SE compensAtor sounded like marbles in a coffee can after 5,000 miles. This was installed under warranty. The dealer said...wait for it...they all do that, dont start out so hard
Put in a Baker Compensator and be done with it! My Baker has 20,000 quiet Miles.
I could not agree more. Install Baker parts and be done with it. I installed it back a year ago on my 07 EGC and couldnt be happier. My primary case is completely silent.
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SE Compensator Upgrade Question
