Smaller Compensator Sprocket vs Cams
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 236
Likes: 0
From: Charlottetown Prince Edward Island
Smaller Compensator Sprocket vs Cams
My goal is to get a bit more bottom end (ok to lose "some" topend). I had been thinking about 255 cams, but lately have been thinking about going down a couple of teeth on the front compensator sprocket. I have heard though, that you can't get a smaller front primary sprocket and still retain a compensator on a 2009 model?? Any ideas here? My bike has rinehart slip ons, screamin eagle air cleaner and hd remap. Just thinking that a simple sprocket change should give a similar "seat of the pants" improvement as cams do, with a lot less work and $$.
Thanks for your help
Thanks for your help
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,341
Likes: 714
coming from dirt i used to play with gearing all the time i think u would be surprised how much improvment u could get in low end without loosing much if anything on top.if u want to retain compensator there is a larger ring gear for the cluthbasket.its only a couple of teeth.not to sure about your stock gearing it is already a tad lower than my 07,but my motor will not pull 6th gear to redline so i might even gain top end with lower gearing?
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,532
Likes: 132
From: SoCal
My goal is to get a bit more bottom end (ok to lose "some" topend). I had been thinking about 255 cams, but lately have been thinking about going down a couple of teeth on the front compensator sprocket. I have heard though, that you can't get a smaller front primary sprocket and still retain a compensator on a 2009 model?? Any ideas here? My bike has rinehart slip ons, screamin eagle air cleaner and hd remap. Just thinking that a simple sprocket change should give a similar "seat of the pants" improvement as cams do, with a lot less work and $$.
Thanks for your help
Thanks for your help
6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: mid new york
I was thinking of changing engine or trans sprocket to. I was just wondering if it would mess up 6 gear indicator light.I don't know if computer reads engine speed to trans speed to trip light. I believe it does,I haven't had time to call thundermax to see if it does and if so,if they allready have the number to put into computer.If someone allready knows could you post. Didn't mean to jump on your post.Thankyou
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 559
Likes: 51
From: maine
I changed out the Comp sprocket with a solid 30T sprocket in my '09 King..... nice change ..... and losing the comp sprocket is not a bad thing.......... it cleaned up a bunch of the clunky "slop" that my primary had.... all good in my experience....
oh ya... sixth gear indicator light does NOT work in my bike after this change and my speedo reads about 3MPH over at 70MPH... it may have before, I never checked it.....
oh ya... sixth gear indicator light does NOT work in my bike after this change and my speedo reads about 3MPH over at 70MPH... it may have before, I never checked it.....
Last edited by hoofnhog; Mar 29, 2011 at 08:38 PM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,588
Likes: 9
From: Sunny Southern California
255's are great cams in a 96". Get the cams and keep the compensator, it's there for a reason. And your not going to loose anything on the top end with the 255's if your currently running stock cams! My 
.
.
Last edited by 07FLHT; Mar 29, 2011 at 10:56 PM.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,413
Likes: 17
From: eastern oklahoma
this might sound dumb, but i'm curious. by changing out the compensator for a sprocket with fewer teeth, or by changing out the clutch basket with more teeth, either would lower the gearing of the final drive ratio. this would still allow the speedo to operate like stock because the front pulley sprocket and rear drive wheel sprocket remained the same and the speedo is fed information from the transmission, right? if this is correct then it'd bring an 08 tall geared bike to where the 09 and later models are geared which would be an improvement. let me know if i got this right. i hope this made sense.
Trending Topics
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,389
Likes: 26
From: Windham,Maine
Regearing will certainly work at the expense of lowing your comfortable cruise speed.Go for it then you will know for certain.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,588
Likes: 9
From: Sunny Southern California
this might sound dumb, but i'm curious. by changing out the compensator for a sprocket with fewer teeth, or by changing out the clutch basket with more teeth, either would lower the gearing of the final drive ratio. this would still allow the speedo to operate like stock because the front pulley sprocket and rear drive wheel sprocket remained the same and the speedo is fed information from the transmission, right? if this is correct then it'd bring an 08 tall geared bike to where the 09 and later models are geared which would be an improvement. let me know if i got this right. i hope this made sense.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 5,977
Likes: 85
From: Nevada
this might sound dumb, but i'm curious. by changing out the compensator for a sprocket with fewer teeth, or by changing out the clutch basket with more teeth, either would lower the gearing of the final drive ratio. this would still allow the speedo to operate like stock because the front pulley sprocket and rear drive wheel sprocket remained the same and the speedo is fed information from the transmission, right? if this is correct then it'd bring an 08 tall geared bike to where the 09 and later models are geared which would be an improvement. let me know if i got this right. i hope this made sense.
The easiest way to match 09 and up bikes is by going to a 68T Sportster sprocket.
There's a thread on it here. I did it on my 07 and am happy.