Problems with Compensator
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,221
Likes: 4
From: Annemasse (border of Geneva-Switzerland) facing Mt-Blanc.
Question about metallic residue in primary oil
Hi all,
Our local HD dealership is overbooked by selling bikes, so I agreed to purchase HD consumables and do (all) the maintenance myself. I'm at the 1,000 miles mark so I gave special attention to any type of residue in the first oil change.
Well, the primary transmission oil when poured over a clean flat surface left 3 traces, one of which was a metallic powder. The magnet of the drain plug also had metal debris all around it.
My question: could this metal 'powder' come from the compensator material or is it related to the clutch plates?
Our local HD dealership is overbooked by selling bikes, so I agreed to purchase HD consumables and do (all) the maintenance myself. I'm at the 1,000 miles mark so I gave special attention to any type of residue in the first oil change.
Well, the primary transmission oil when poured over a clean flat surface left 3 traces, one of which was a metallic powder. The magnet of the drain plug also had metal debris all around it.
My question: could this metal 'powder' come from the compensator material or is it related to the clutch plates?
It's a new tranny with the first 1,000 miles on it. It's gonna make a little metal that'll show up on that first oil change. I would worry about that. Pay attention at the 5K change and see if you notice anything different. My bet is it will look normal. Ride on.
Hi all,
Our local HD dealership is overbooked by selling bikes, so I agreed to purchase HD consumables and do (all) the maintenance myself. I'm at the 1,000 miles mark so I gave special attention to any type of residue in the first oil change.
Well, the primary transmission oil when poured over a clean flat surface left 3 traces, one of which was a metallic powder. The magnet of the drain plug also had metal debris all around it.
My question: could this metal 'powder' come from the compensator material or is it related to the clutch plates?
Our local HD dealership is overbooked by selling bikes, so I agreed to purchase HD consumables and do (all) the maintenance myself. I'm at the 1,000 miles mark so I gave special attention to any type of residue in the first oil change.
Well, the primary transmission oil when poured over a clean flat surface left 3 traces, one of which was a metallic powder. The magnet of the drain plug also had metal debris all around it.
My question: could this metal 'powder' come from the compensator material or is it related to the clutch plates?
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 123
Likes: 2
From: dual locations: wash. & az.
NORMAL to see,Chunks NO.
The first 1000 miles Usually show More Metal and what you described is NORMAL as in they all do it..
That is one time this phrase FITS..
The wear parts in the Primary will give off little pieces of grey powder and very small flakes of metal... Mostly two places chain and clutch plates... The rest of the moving parts just enjoy the ride...
IF there is a LOT of mush and bigger shinny pieces of metal showing up on the service intervals then there is a problem starting...
USE a good synthetic oil in the primary,,, I use Redline MTL and have for years, Putting over 120,000 miles on An ORIGINAL clutch set up in my 2ooo FXDS Hot Rod..with 6 spd conversion..
In the Tyranny,, NOTHING but Redline Shockproof Heavy.. Never Ever ANY metal on the magnetic plug,,,Never Ever.
signed....REDHEAD
That is one time this phrase FITS..
The wear parts in the Primary will give off little pieces of grey powder and very small flakes of metal... Mostly two places chain and clutch plates... The rest of the moving parts just enjoy the ride...
IF there is a LOT of mush and bigger shinny pieces of metal showing up on the service intervals then there is a problem starting...
USE a good synthetic oil in the primary,,, I use Redline MTL and have for years, Putting over 120,000 miles on An ORIGINAL clutch set up in my 2ooo FXDS Hot Rod..with 6 spd conversion..
In the Tyranny,, NOTHING but Redline Shockproof Heavy.. Never Ever ANY metal on the magnetic plug,,,Never Ever.
signed....REDHEAD
Stage II
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From:
Compensator
I have a 2010 fatboy Lo. My compensator bolt came loose at 187 miles. Quite upset but no damage to me or bike. Dealer fixed, no problem. Now have 12,000 miles and starting to make that noise again. Taking to dealer to check out as I'm getting ready for a long road trip. Luckily still under warranty. Glad to see all comments on the SE compensator. I'll question my dealer.
6th Gear
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From:
After several trips to my dealer (under Warrenty) for a noise in my engine, The starter started acting up. Gnashing teeth when starting. Upon investigation of the starter/ring gear damage, they found the compensator had been shimmed incorrectly at the factory. After nes starter, flywheel-clutch assby, Both primary gears and primary chain all is better.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,341
Likes: 9
From: Woodinville, WA
After several trips to my dealer (under Warrenty) for a noise in my engine, The starter started acting up. Gnashing teeth when starting. Upon investigation of the starter/ring gear damage, they found the compensator had been shimmed incorrectly at the factory. After nes starter, flywheel-clutch assby, Both primary gears and primary chain all is better.
Supporter
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 4,419
Likes: 90
From: Vermont
This is why I'm biting the bullet and buying and installing the SE Comp myself, even though my bikes still under warranty. No aggravation from the dealer and I will know its been installed correctly. I know I will miss out on the "paw" prints all over my bike and possible scratches in the paint if I did go to the dealer but I can live with that!!
Hopefully I can still take part in the Class Action suit that I'm sure someone will start in the future.
Hopefully I can still take part in the Class Action suit that I'm sure someone will start in the future.
Yep, you and me both. Its on my next winters to do list! I have NEVER, EVER, brought my bike to a dealer, and that in itself is extremely rare, where my bike did not come out with something wrong, the worst of which was a nice chip in the front of my tank, which I didn't notice till I got home.
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Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 666
Likes: 5
From: Bay Area, CA
It's been posted here before, but if you don't want to mess with taking off the inner case - and thereby inducing another problem/leak - you have to trim the inner case to get the stator cover out and SE compensator in.
Just super.
Supporter
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 4,419
Likes: 90
From: Vermont
I have an 2009 103ci RK Police and with just 2K miles on her she made an awful BANG! on start up. I didn't wait, and upgraded to the SE compensator myself.
It's been posted here before, but if you don't want to mess with taking off the inner case - and thereby inducing another problem/leak - you have to trim the inner case to get the stator cover out and SE compensator in.
Just super.
It's been posted here before, but if you don't want to mess with taking off the inner case - and thereby inducing another problem/leak - you have to trim the inner case to get the stator cover out and SE compensator in.
Just super.
It only requires a hairs worth of inner primary internal material be removed. Very very miniscule.