My 07 Road King, I ran it hard over a week ago, first time riding hard and fast, I personally would rather ride slower. Well there’s a noise only under load 1st and 2nd gear, after that it runs fine. I did a clutch basket adjustment thinking that was the problem. Could my compensator be bad or ooose after that hard drive? I’m new when it comes to wrenching on motorcycles, but been turning wrenches a lot of years. If someone can confirm it’s in my primary the problem so I can order one. Now I’m not going to stealer, the price will on this part is all over the spectrum. Seen it as high as $449 and as low as $100 what gives? Thanks in advanced.

 

It could be a compensator issue, kind of hard to tell with out hearing it, have you checked the primary chain adjustment? That being said the compensators used in the 07's are not the best, worked well in the older 80 and 88 inch engines but not well in the 96 inch engines. Just did a compensator for a buddy of mine last weekend on a 07 softtail with only 9,000 miles, compensator was making alot of noise all the time even at idle, the bellville washers had lost there springiness just from sitting all the years, replaced it with the upgraded screamin eagle compensator that harley switched to on later bikes and replaced the primary chain tensioner with the manual adjust screamin eagle chain adjuster, primary is quiet now, so is that your problem? could be? it is something to check because there not the best, nor are the auto primary chain tensioners they used on those bikes, they ten to over tighten the primary chain from the teeth being to large

 

Thank youmike131, I’m going to get the primary cover off and look things over. It doesn’t seem complicated and a lengthy fix, just diagnosing the problem. I come up with interesting video on quick repair. Interesting that trans fluid used in primary and manual tensioners are recommended.
Sharing the link

 

Hi,
Like Mike said, without listening to the bike run, it is hard to tell.
When the bike is hot (or cold), does starting the bike make a grinding noise?
Have you removed the compensator for inspection?
The OEM compensators are notorious for going bad in bikes with the 96ci engine. The solution from the MOCO was to install a Screamin Eagle Compensator, rotor, springs and an oil deflector.
Click the link below.
New Compansator

 

Thats a good video Mongo explaining it, I've watched it before

 

@BRKLYN1955 should check out the link as well. It has the installation instructions.

 

The guy in the video does not like to use torque wenches.
He does like to beat stuff with a hammer though.

 

I was going to bring up that video. I have never tried the long screwdriver to see if chain is tight. But riding hard is how he says it can happen.

What pisses me off he doesn't admit Harley is bleeping joke in that video. But it is being made a dealer. But he is just such a suck up.

 

Bump, my part came in, as of yet not opened it up. Hoping I already have a manual adjuster.

 

When the MoCo updated the comp on the '06 Dynas and then all '07+ models, it was substandard and had many problems. They also switched to the then "new" auto tensioner for the primary. It too was very problematic.

For your bike, if you got the newest version of the Big Twin comp (became OEM for Rushmore Touring bikes in 2014) for your bike, which requires you to switch to the new style rotor (included in the kit), you should be trouble free for many miles...

The original auto tensioner (#39929-06) was finally improved circa 2010ish with the introduction of the "B" auto tensioner (#39929-06C). The "B" tensioner had numerous improvements over the "-06" or "-06A" tensioners. It was far less problematic than it's predecessors. The "B" tensioner was replaced by the "C" tensioner about 2021. The "C" auto tensioner is very similar to the "B", but has some plastic parts that were metal on the "B". I have not heard any complaints about the "C" tensioner.

I have kept the newest comp version on my 2016 Ultra Classic (it was OEM), along with a "B" auto primary tensioner (also OEM), since putting a 124" S&S crate engine in the bike. It has 135HP & 151TQ. I don't ride it hard, but do use the power from time to time... I do my own service and repairs. I pull the primary cover at service time, and check the chain & comp. I have had no issues with the comp, and never an issue with the chain tension either. I know have 25K on that engine.

You can also do your primary, with the "B" or "C" auto tensioner a favor... Don't ride super aggressively, especially with downshift engine breaking, until the primary heats up, gears expand, and the chain reaches proper tension. If you aggressively downshift engine brake, while the primary is still cool, the gears and chain are still cool, and the chain is still at it's cold adjustment slack, you can force the auto tensioner to take up some slack. Then when at operating temp, your primary chain will be too tight. Then the bad things that can happen with a very tight primary chain may be in your future.

I hope some of this info helps...