Problems with Compensator
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 666
Likes: 5
From: Bay Area, CA
Nonetheless, the point is, it's better for the uninitiated to know about/plan for it as part of the job and have the right tool on hand instead of wondering what the heck is going on ... like I did.
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
From: ny
just noticed mine started a clunk when releasing clutch, and little more difficult to start. just today after a few miles also i think i was noticing a whine from left side also... do these sound like compensator symptoms..... also any pics or tips for the SE comp. install. some mentioned trimming inner primary.. thanks all.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 565
Likes: 2
From: Palmyra Missouri
just noticed mine started a clunk when releasing clutch, and little more difficult to start. just today after a few miles also i think i was noticing a whine from left side also... do these sound like compensator symptoms..... also any pics or tips for the SE comp. install. some mentioned trimming inner primary.. thanks all.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
From: Grand Falls, New Brunswick
Hi. I just got back from a 2800 mile trip on my 2010 FLHTC which included one visit to the service dept at Ocean State Harley in RI. I told them that I had a strangle rattling sound coming from the primary area when I let the clutch out to the point of engagement in 1st gear while the motor was idling. It happens as the bike wants to stall. I reproduced the sound for them, to which the guy said he had never heard that and that it certainly wasn't normal. They brought the bike right in the shop after it cooled down, and found that the compensator bolt was loose, so they replaced the bolt and adjusted the chain tension. I was on my way within 2 hours. Great service from the guys down there.
However, my issue wasn't fixed and on top of that when I got the bike back the clutch adjustment had changed. There was weak friction up until the clutch was almost all the way out, and then a jolt forward once the clutch was almost all the way out.
I have some other things I find weird, so I'm going into the dealer on Monday with my list.
1) "Clutch" noise at idle once the lever is let out to engage, just before the engine want to stall. Sounds like marbles around the primary.
2) Clutch slipping in 5th and 6th gears on Interstate speeds - all above 2500 RPM
3) Motor "binds up" occassionally when starting with no start, requiring a second start of the engine. When this happens, the radio usually comes on by itself.
4) Loud whining noise when making left sweeping turns at cruising speeds. Uneven tire wear?
5) "Clunk" when rolling on the throttle after coasting at cruising speeds.
6) Transmission dipstick is loosing it's chrome finish at different places on the stick.
Do you think some of these issues might be related?
Thanks,
Dan
However, my issue wasn't fixed and on top of that when I got the bike back the clutch adjustment had changed. There was weak friction up until the clutch was almost all the way out, and then a jolt forward once the clutch was almost all the way out.
I have some other things I find weird, so I'm going into the dealer on Monday with my list.
1) "Clutch" noise at idle once the lever is let out to engage, just before the engine want to stall. Sounds like marbles around the primary.
2) Clutch slipping in 5th and 6th gears on Interstate speeds - all above 2500 RPM
3) Motor "binds up" occassionally when starting with no start, requiring a second start of the engine. When this happens, the radio usually comes on by itself.
4) Loud whining noise when making left sweeping turns at cruising speeds. Uneven tire wear?
5) "Clunk" when rolling on the throttle after coasting at cruising speeds.
6) Transmission dipstick is loosing it's chrome finish at different places on the stick.
Do you think some of these issues might be related?
Thanks,
Dan
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
From: Grand Falls, New Brunswick
Who is this directed at?
Banned
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,492
Likes: 10
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Banned
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,492
Likes: 10
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?
Mark
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 3
From: NYC
well the new compensator version 2011-06-01 has a plastic thrust washer with spiral grooves (item #5 in pic). I'm holding one in my hand right now. I'm wondering if harley skipped over a dime to save a nickel. The grooves might help lube the compensator, but, not sure if the plastic washer can actually hold a torque. Apparently it can't. SO I guess, I should chuck the plastic washer and use a steel one, and do the standard sprocket grind instead of relying on this plastic washer.
Last edited by speakerfritz; Jul 30, 2011 at 06:13 PM.