Touring Models Road King, Road King Custom, Road King Classic, Road Glide, Street Glide, Electra Glide, Electra Glide Classic, and Electra Glide Ultra Classic bikes.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

What a difference a new SE compensator makes

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 10, 2011 | 10:49 AM
  #21  
NoBoldRider's Avatar
NoBoldRider
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 874
Likes: 2
From: Southern Arizona
Default

I just got one and it made starting and even stopping the engine much quieter. I was hoping it would help with vibration but as it turns out the problem was the transmission mainshaft. Once the compensator was swapped, I could hear banging noises coming from the primary, but only when sitting in neutral. I took it back to the shop and they found the transmission mainshaft to have excessive runout. I firmly believe the old POS compensator, by not doing it's job, took out the bearings and caused the problem. The old compensator was just covering up the other problem. I get the bike back today, so we'll see if it is any smoother.
 
Reply
Old Jun 10, 2011 | 11:42 AM
  #22  
IBHarley's Avatar
IBHarley
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 974
Likes: 0
From: Morrisville NC
Default

changed it and it starts without a bang more like a car no noise
 
Reply
Old Jun 10, 2011 | 11:48 AM
  #23  
JayStronghawk's Avatar
JayStronghawk
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 9,254
Likes: 283
From: Lake City, Florida (Native)
Default

Originally Posted by boogaloodude
My 07 used to sound like someone whacked the primary with a 2x4 at startup.
Thats about what my 09 Ultra sounded like after 30K.. Replaced the Compensator with the SE under Warranty and Smooth as Glass ..
 
Reply
Old Jun 10, 2011 | 11:53 AM
  #24  
soft 02's Avatar
soft 02
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 66,948
Likes: 4,573
From: TOAK western branch
Default

You could be onto somthing NoBoldRider. When my second main shaft bearing went out I replaced my comp and and have no more MS bearing issues. 88,000 miles and still going strong.
 

Last edited by soft 02; Jun 10, 2011 at 11:54 AM. Reason: oops
Reply
Old Jun 10, 2011 | 01:31 PM
  #25  
NoBoldRider's Avatar
NoBoldRider
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 874
Likes: 2
From: Southern Arizona
Default

Originally Posted by soft 02
You could be onto somthing NoBoldRider. When my second main shaft bearing went out I replaced my comp and and have no more MS bearing issues. 88,000 miles and still going strong.
All that jerking and banging on the primary chain can't be good on the bearings.
 
Reply
Old Jun 10, 2011 | 01:47 PM
  #26  
mcain49's Avatar
mcain49
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 943
Likes: 41
Default

How difficult is it to install the new compensator?
 
Reply
Old Jun 10, 2011 | 02:07 PM
  #27  
soft 02's Avatar
soft 02
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 66,948
Likes: 4,573
From: TOAK western branch
Default

There is a good pictorial step by step on here somewhere. Actualy pretty easy job. The best 217.00 I ever spent on my bike.
 
Reply
Old Jun 10, 2011 | 02:29 PM
  #28  
BigDaddyMike's Avatar
BigDaddyMike
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 5,335
Likes: 0
From: Tidewater
Default

Originally Posted by gtrplyr
How much is the SE compensator? Is it something that one can easily do themselves? I have an 09 FLHT and while I don't mind the "bang" at startup, the kickback would be nice to get rid of.

thanks.
Don't worry, it won't "bang" long, it'll grenade eventually if not replaced.
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jun 10, 2011 | 02:38 PM
  #29  
Fast Aire's Avatar
Fast Aire
Former Sponsor
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 865
Likes: 3
From: Reno, NV
Default

Are there any Dealers or anyone giving discounts on the SE Comp ?
My 2 local dealers stopped their 15% discounts to local shops a few months ago.
Retails about $250 isnt it ? ... havent looked it up


Thanks
 
Reply
Old Jun 10, 2011 | 02:44 PM
  #30  
Akitakoi's Avatar
Akitakoi
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,094
Likes: 5
From: SE Wisconsin
Default

Originally Posted by mcain49
How difficult is it to install the new compensator?
Looks easy enough, whats another $250.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...it-w-pics.html
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:41 AM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE