Problems with Compensator
Stage III
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Dallas TX
Dude,
I have a 2007 Road King and my starter began making the same loud bang when trying to start it up. Then the starter would just disengage and spin....Changed the starter clutch twice cuz that's what everyone said the problem was that caused the spinning sound....Still having the same problem...Starter just spins when trying to start it...Does this sound like a compensator problem?...I'm mechanically handy but not good at diagnosing....Any help appreciated!
Robert
I have a 2007 Road King and my starter began making the same loud bang when trying to start it up. Then the starter would just disengage and spin....Changed the starter clutch twice cuz that's what everyone said the problem was that caused the spinning sound....Still having the same problem...Starter just spins when trying to start it...Does this sound like a compensator problem?...I'm mechanically handy but not good at diagnosing....Any help appreciated!
Robert
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
Well, I had my turn with a failed compensator this past weekend. I was riding along in town and pulled up to a stop light when this terrible racket started coming from my primary near the front. Not knowing this could be the issue, I limped a couple miles home rather than calling someone to come pick me and the bike up. Oh, it's a 2010 FLHR (Road King) with 49,785 miles on the odometer. I'm the original owner and I've babied it since I bought it and up to now had all my services done at a Harley dealer.
When I had my local shop (Not a Harley dealer) open the primary, there was a strip of metal about five inches long laying at the bottom of my primary. The lip of the cup that holds the spring plates had simply sheared off. I'm really lucky it didn't get into or tear up anything else and I'm REALLY lucky it didn't get caught up in the chain and lock up. Whew!
The "upgraded" part is being installed as I write this. The price for the new assembly is $249.95, around $100.00 over the "original" part. In my opinion, the original part is poorly engineered and should be recalled before this failure kills someone.
When I had my local shop (Not a Harley dealer) open the primary, there was a strip of metal about five inches long laying at the bottom of my primary. The lip of the cup that holds the spring plates had simply sheared off. I'm really lucky it didn't get into or tear up anything else and I'm REALLY lucky it didn't get caught up in the chain and lock up. Whew!
The "upgraded" part is being installed as I write this. The price for the new assembly is $249.95, around $100.00 over the "original" part. In my opinion, the original part is poorly engineered and should be recalled before this failure kills someone.
Club Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 460
Likes: 18
From: Rhode Island/Pensacola Florida
Just spent $1200 in Daytona to replace my starter and compensator. Bike sounded like crap on starting, in fact was very lucky it started. Made the ride to Destination Daytona two days before bike week started. Four hours and $1200 later the bike starts right up. Absolutely no reason for this to occur. HD knows there is a problem but could care less. The bike is an 09 with only 44000 miles.
Stage I
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Yep...same thing happened to my 2008 FLHX as the guy a couple posts ago. I had two strips of metal, about 4" long in my primary. The stock compensators are not built for these engines, HD needs to change these...Thank God one of the busted strips of metal didn't get wedged somewhere it wasn't suppose to be, me and the old lady would have had a bad day! If you hear anything abnormal coming from your primary, check it out!
By the way, swapped out for the SE compensator, lessens the vibration, better start up and shifting. I was able to take the old rotor out and put the new one in without taking out the clutch or even grinding, not sure how I did it, but I did! It took a little patience and wiggling back and forth....a good 5-10 minutes, but it worked.
By the way, swapped out for the SE compensator, lessens the vibration, better start up and shifting. I was able to take the old rotor out and put the new one in without taking out the clutch or even grinding, not sure how I did it, but I did! It took a little patience and wiggling back and forth....a good 5-10 minutes, but it worked.
Last edited by Brandon Smith; Mar 25, 2013 at 10:24 PM.
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 123
Likes: 2
From: dual locations: wash. & az.
SE Compensator FRETTING Problems verses stock comp
flhrbill,Brandon Smith,
Yes, the older style of compensator on the early Newer 96" and others on twin-cams, have a problem of not having enough spring plate left to start the engine properly:causing kick backs and other problems like Broken spring parts in the primary.
Lucky, Yours it didn't get into the Chain.
The problem I see with NOT taking out the inner primary IS,,, Checking The bearing that rides on the back side of the inner primary which MIGHT be a problem.
I had 54,000 miles on my 09 96" King. Yes the starting issue especially when Hot Starting.
I ordered a new compensator. I wanted the STOCK one that came with original motor. NO Way as it comes "A" SE Compensator as a replacement for the old style (old style un available) ...
I'm glad I did put in the SE Comp. ... Removing the inner primary as the Bearing and Race on the tranny shaft had some dimples and Heat wear that could have caused it to go out anytime.
Finding that problem was worth taking off/out the inner primary.
The SE comps as you all have probably read about (Fretting---dry rust) does exist yet today.
I did groove my new comp face in 3 spirels to TRY to get some lube into it. If that works or help??? Only time will tell.
I do use MTL by Redline (good thing) in my primary.
The starting problem Totally Gone. But the fretting is still to be seen...
rbabos on another forum says Grooving the SE Comp. is a waste of time.
They have engineered a new bolt-in collector that distributes oil right onto the center of the SE Comp.
****Lack of Lubrication and Centrifugal Force is the SE comps Problem of today on ALL the SE Comps to date that I know of...
signed....REDHEAD
****ADDED
Yes, the older style of compensator on the early Newer 96" and others on twin-cams, have a problem of not having enough spring plate left to start the engine properly:causing kick backs and other problems like Broken spring parts in the primary.
Lucky, Yours it didn't get into the Chain.
The problem I see with NOT taking out the inner primary IS,,, Checking The bearing that rides on the back side of the inner primary which MIGHT be a problem.
I had 54,000 miles on my 09 96" King. Yes the starting issue especially when Hot Starting.
I ordered a new compensator. I wanted the STOCK one that came with original motor. NO Way as it comes "A" SE Compensator as a replacement for the old style (old style un available) ...
I'm glad I did put in the SE Comp. ... Removing the inner primary as the Bearing and Race on the tranny shaft had some dimples and Heat wear that could have caused it to go out anytime.
Finding that problem was worth taking off/out the inner primary.
The SE comps as you all have probably read about (Fretting---dry rust) does exist yet today.
I did groove my new comp face in 3 spirels to TRY to get some lube into it. If that works or help??? Only time will tell.
I do use MTL by Redline (good thing) in my primary.
The starting problem Totally Gone. But the fretting is still to be seen...
rbabos on another forum says Grooving the SE Comp. is a waste of time.
They have engineered a new bolt-in collector that distributes oil right onto the center of the SE Comp.
****Lack of Lubrication and Centrifugal Force is the SE comps Problem of today on ALL the SE Comps to date that I know of...
signed....REDHEAD
****ADDED
Last edited by REDHEAD; Mar 26, 2013 at 02:09 PM.
What parts are needed to replace Compensator
If one wanted to replace the compensator himself, what all should he purchase ahead of time?
Compensator
Special tool to lock up the primary
primary gasket.
The whole left side was done once already under warranty: Starter, complete clutch, compensator.
It just now started getting hard to start when cold.....no problems when hot (i have manual compression releases). Starter grinds a bit on gold starts.
09 with factory 103 kit and SE 255 cams.
Also, anyone know a good independent shop in the area west of San Antonio?
Greg
Compensator
Special tool to lock up the primary
primary gasket.
The whole left side was done once already under warranty: Starter, complete clutch, compensator.
It just now started getting hard to start when cold.....no problems when hot (i have manual compression releases). Starter grinds a bit on gold starts.
09 with factory 103 kit and SE 255 cams.
Also, anyone know a good independent shop in the area west of San Antonio?
Greg
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 615
Likes: 36
From: tx
The screaming chickens is no better,2012 limited 5000 miles replaced this Sat.under warranty.If my bike was out of warranty I would be looking for a better after market they do exist
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Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 123
Likes: 2
From: dual locations: wash. & az.
If one wanted to replace the compensator himself, what all should he purchase ahead of time?
Compensator
Special tool to lock up the primary
primary gasket.
The whole left side was done once already under warranty: Starter, complete clutch, compensator.
It just now started getting hard to start when cold.....no problems when hot (i have manual compression releases). Starter grinds a bit on gold starts.
09 with factory 103 kit and SE 255 cams.
Also, anyone know a good independent shop in the area west of San Antonio?
Greg
Compensator
Special tool to lock up the primary
primary gasket.
The whole left side was done once already under warranty: Starter, complete clutch, compensator.
It just now started getting hard to start when cold.....no problems when hot (i have manual compression releases). Starter grinds a bit on gold starts.
09 with factory 103 kit and SE 255 cams.
Also, anyone know a good independent shop in the area west of San Antonio?
Greg
Could it be the battery?
My 09 starts good (hot or cold) after the new comp SE Compensator"A" I installed. Stock yet 09 battery and checked out Good.
Thing needed:
You will need the INNER Primary gasket if installing the SE comp. as the Inner primary come off/out so to replace the newer se comp.
The outer primary gasket can be re-used IF it is undamaged when apart. No leaks on mine and twid=ce apart. BUT the inner Needs NEW...
When I had mine apart, checking the bearing inside the inner primary, behind the clutch on the tranny... Badly Pitted and had run very hot... Blue colors on race showed that. so I replace it and the race. That bushing gets a little dicy to remove if you don't have the proper tools. I used a puller and two person job to hold the puller to not bend while Turning the Screw in...Tough getting it off.
Other way is to grind with a cutting wheel,careful of the shaft... I HATE chisels to be used here. The Puller is a must in my book.
signed....REDHEAD
