Touring Models Road King, Road King Custom, Road King Classic, Road Glide, Street Glide, Electra Glide, Electra Glide Classic, and Electra Glide Ultra Classic bikes.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

auto compression releases

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 14, 2009 | 09:58 AM
  #1  
chasswartz's Avatar
chasswartz
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 218
Likes: 1
From: saginaw michigan
Default auto compression releases

I am planning on installing a SE 103 kit [ 29903-07 ] and would like to install auto compression releases [28861-07a] while I have the heads off. Based on my research so far it looks like these install in the center of the head instead of next to the spark plug.
Has anyone have any experience with these? How are these wired? I think they are wired to the ECM and require programing but I think they could be tied into the starter solanoid circuit?

Any infomation will be appreciated. This is a 2007 ulta, stock except for SE 255 cams. I plan on using stock heads and head gaskets. I know I could get more power by reworking the heads and raising the CR but I am doing this for the fun of the project rather than getting more power. I may not need compression releases on this build, but they do take a load off the starter. If I put in manuel releases I would probably not use them.
 
Reply
Old Oct 14, 2009 | 10:11 AM
  #2  
timvan's Avatar
timvan
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,474
Likes: 1
From: Acworth, Ga
Default

IF you DONT need them then DONT install them... Just another possible point of failure IMHO

But yes, they do wire into the ecm via a seperate wire harness and need to be turned on in the programing. They require a jig from harley to have them drilled in the head.
 
Reply
Old Oct 14, 2009 | 10:15 AM
  #3  
UltraKla$$ic's Avatar
UltraKla$$ic
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,294
Likes: 33
From: Po-Dunk Looziana
Default

I just went through this same dilemma HERE. May I suggest you use manual releases? Reason being, if the ACR's fail, your back into your head to replace, in which the ACR's are prone to failure. If a manual CR fails, take it out and replace. Easy peasy.

It is definitely good of you to do the CR's, because some are reporting "hot starts" with a 103/255 build, and hindsight is 20/20. I know I'd be replacing a starter in no time if I had not put CR's in my build. This thing is STOUT on starting and kick back would destroy the gear in no time without CR's.

Lastly, PLEASE reconsider using a stock harley head gasket since you are going to have the heads off anyways. The '07's are known to have the pistons 0.009" down in the hole, so if you use the stock 0.053" head gasket you are more than likely going to have to retard the timing so much to prevent detonation it will kill the goal of going big bore. Measure the deck height(it only takes 5 minutes) and set it with the proper Cometic gasket and you'll be golden.

NONE of these suggestions would inconvenience you or your builder. Simple "mods" to optimize your build.
 
Reply
Old Oct 14, 2009 | 10:18 AM
  #4  
88racing's Avatar
88racing
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 578
Likes: 0
From: Tea, SD
Default

If you are going to do this also go with the SE compensator. It will help in the long run.
 
Reply
Old Oct 14, 2009 | 10:19 AM
  #5  
Jim Dawson's Avatar
Jim Dawson
Ultimate HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 7,498
Likes: 19
From: East Alton, IL
Default

I have the ACRs with my 103" SE 255. They are turned on with the SERT or SEST or TTS Mastertune. You will need the expensive HD jig to drill the heads, or take the heads to a dealer that has the correct jig.

I had hard starting issues until I installed the ACRs. While trouble shooting the starting issues, the dealer replaced my starter, compensator, and clutch under warranty. I paid the difference and got the high torque starter and SE compensator. It is truly like a different bike now. The SE compensator made a huge difference in starting and riding.
 
Reply
Old Oct 14, 2009 | 10:21 AM
  #6  
Jim Dawson's Avatar
Jim Dawson
Ultimate HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 7,498
Likes: 19
From: East Alton, IL
Default

Originally Posted by UltraKla$$ic
I just went through this same dilemma HERE. May I suggest you use manual releases? Reason being, if the ACR's fail, your back into your head to replace, in which the ACR's are prone to failure. If a manual CR fails, take it out and replace........
I've been told that the later ACRs have been trouble free, unlike the earlier ones.
 
Reply
Old Oct 14, 2009 | 10:33 AM
  #7  
UltraKla$$ic's Avatar
UltraKla$$ic
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,294
Likes: 33
From: Po-Dunk Looziana
Default

Originally Posted by Jim Dawson
I've been told that the later ACRs have been trouble free, unlike the earlier ones.
Could very well be true. Sure makes it nice just hitting the starter versus touching those hot little flames sticking out of the heads.

To the OP, eitherway, put the CR's(whichever you choose) in the heads. You won't be sorry if you do.
 

Last edited by UltraKla$$ic; Oct 14, 2009 at 10:36 AM.
Reply
Old Oct 14, 2009 | 10:43 AM
  #8  
chasswartz's Avatar
chasswartz
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 218
Likes: 1
From: saginaw michigan
Default Se compensator

Originally Posted by 88racing
If you are going to do this also go with the SE compensator. It will help in the long run.

I am considering this just to get rid of the starter clunk. I have all winter to get this done. I am only in the plannig stage, I do have the SE 103 kit, and am making a list of what else to do.
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Oct 14, 2009 | 10:49 AM
  #9  
chasswartz's Avatar
chasswartz
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 218
Likes: 1
From: saginaw michigan
Default Acr

Originally Posted by Jim Dawson
I've been told that the later ACRs have been trouble free, unlike the earlier ones.

Do yoy know when the change was made-was there a part # or letter change?
 
Reply
Old Oct 14, 2009 | 11:18 AM
  #10  
AK Fire Captain's Avatar
AK Fire Captain
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Nashville
Default No Problem

I had the SE 103" Stage 4 Pro Race Kit installed last winter with the electronic compression releases installed, they are nice, turn on the ignition, they open and when the bike fires they close.....simple....I have over 7500 trouble free miles on these, plus I did NOT install a new starter, still using the 2007 stock starter. Of course the heads that came with the kit had the holes drilled in them already. My advice go with them. John
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:58 AM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE