Problems with Compensator
**************************
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
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
Thanks for the response and suggestions. I grinded the outer primary instead of taking it apart. reused the old gasket, but now have one hanging on the wall.
Replacement went well. Easy job as things go, would rather do this than take off rear wheel.
Did not remove clutch, so don't know about the main-shaft bearing.
I wish I could find a blue-dot or yellow dot clutch diaphragm spring. Will trade for my SE spring, it's killing my carpel tunnel.
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 123
Likes: 2
From: dual locations: wash. & az.
IT Is the compensator...
The Comps on older TC 07 and up HAVE been replaced on the line-up from HD for that reason. It is not the SE255 cams. I just HAD to replace my comp. Asking for the original style as it lasted 50,000 miles in my 09 FLHR using SE255 cams and Not wanting the SE comp.....When it arrived Yep,,,,an SE...
Harley said Original was REPLACED by the SE...
They Knew there were problems like we were having on the Original compensator and choose not to fix it one their dime.
Replacing mine FIXED ALL the Starting Problems like YOU and Others are experiencing.
signed....REDHEAD
The Comps on older TC 07 and up HAVE been replaced on the line-up from HD for that reason. It is not the SE255 cams. I just HAD to replace my comp. Asking for the original style as it lasted 50,000 miles in my 09 FLHR using SE255 cams and Not wanting the SE comp.....When it arrived Yep,,,,an SE...
Harley said Original was REPLACED by the SE...
They Knew there were problems like we were having on the Original compensator and choose not to fix it one their dime.
Replacing mine FIXED ALL the Starting Problems like YOU and Others are experiencing.
signed....REDHEAD
1st Gear
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Eaton, OH
I just had the compensator replaced on my 2012 Street Glide with about 3700 miles on it. I have limited knowledge of mechanics – but was told that there was a problem with the bolt on the compensator (since they were changed in 2011) being too long and it is now causing problems. Not too sure I really bought this story, but that is what I was told. Anyway, took over three weeks for the dealer to decide how to fix the problem. All started with a loud knocking when I started the engine. I am not convinced this is all the issue, but I guess we will see. Mechanic told me that he had just been to the factory for some training, and that this was a systemic problem, but HD had not yet issued any service bulletins – but this is an obvious issue, according to the mechanic anyway. HD needs to step up and get this problem taken care of – not like we are buying cheapo bikes here!
Last edited by spanky11; May 28, 2013 at 12:15 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
Quick update. I've put around 3,000 miles on since I had a new SE compensator installed to replace the stock crap that disintegrated. Starts better than it ever did. The only thing I had to get used to was a slightly different sound coming from the primary than when it was stock.
They also replaced the small roller bearing that's located in the inner primary housing since it was only about a $6.00 part and it was showing early signs of a leak down the back of the inner cover. Very happy with the repairs/upgrade.
They also replaced the small roller bearing that's located in the inner primary housing since it was only about a $6.00 part and it was showing early signs of a leak down the back of the inner cover. Very happy with the repairs/upgrade.
Stage II
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
My 2011 had clutch issues at 25,000 miles only to be told that the compensator had failed and which caused the clutch to fail. Both were replaced under warrenty, but the dealer had my bike for 9 days waiting form parts and repair time.
At 30,000 miles the clutch went out again, re[placed under warrenty, dealer had the bike for 13 days awaiting parts and the repair time.
My bike now has 36,000 miles and is at the dealer again. Dealer tells me the compensator assembly "lossened up" causing the spline teeth on the fly wheel and on the compensator to grind the teeth off.
The dealer is now waiting to hear from Harley Corp as to whether they will be completely rebuildinmg the motor or if Harley will be sending out a new complete motor. Either way estimated repair time is 3 to 4 weeks.
This is a nightmare to say the least and appears to be a common problem. Is it just me or are Harley's quality going back to their AMF days.
At 30,000 miles the clutch went out again, re[placed under warrenty, dealer had the bike for 13 days awaiting parts and the repair time.
My bike now has 36,000 miles and is at the dealer again. Dealer tells me the compensator assembly "lossened up" causing the spline teeth on the fly wheel and on the compensator to grind the teeth off.
The dealer is now waiting to hear from Harley Corp as to whether they will be completely rebuildinmg the motor or if Harley will be sending out a new complete motor. Either way estimated repair time is 3 to 4 weeks.
This is a nightmare to say the least and appears to be a common problem. Is it just me or are Harley's quality going back to their AMF days.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 4,463
Likes: 2,902
From: Oklahoma
Loss of use for the same problem 3 times should qualify you for a "lemon law" replacement. If you don't really want that, at least mentioning it should get you a "rental" for the duration.
Stage II
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
I wish unfortunatly Arizona's lemon law is for 2 years or 24,000 miles which ever comes first.
1st Gear
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Eaton, OH
Still Not Right
Had mine back about 3 weeks (maybe) and about 400 miles, and now the clutch is making noise...they picked it up again. This is after the whole bad compensator ordeal last month. This is getting quite old!
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Supporter
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,196
Likes: 10
From: Shenandoah, TX
Changed my Comp last weekend. This was the 4th one that's been in the bike. The 1st 2 were the OEM's, changed by HD under warranty. The 3rd was a SE comp changed by HD under warranty. The morrons at Texan HD in Conroe, TX put one of the compression ring in backward. It started vibrating like hell coming back from Daytona this year. So last weekend I changed it myself and found the reversed ring. What a bunch of goobs. The bike run and starts better than ever now.
