Use the search function, there's a lot of reading on the compensator problems.

 

I already said I collected the general internet (forum included) info. But the problem is most of these posts that say things like the stock one is not strong enough and the SE one is. so what does that mean. what does not strong enough mean. spring pressure, horizontal forces, vertical forces, axial forces, what is the stock one not doing correctly.

 

So, you have an authorized HD shop replace your stock compensator with a SE compensator, does the HD shop cut these grooves when they do the install?

 

Interesting thread, I'm thinking about changing out the compensator whenever I modify my engine, hadn't thought or seen anything about the grooves until now.

 

Just an update on SE compensator install, I will tell ya if I wasted $250 but so far this new compensator is the ****, Starts way better, Doesn't do that loud knock at start ups, quiet going down road, and even shifts smoother. I did put oil grooves in cuz I can see that it can help with lubrication and why not cain't hurt nuthn by doing it, I took the same amount of metal from each groove but really not an issue cuz sprocket is not balanced, if it were it would have holes drilled for balancing.. Am very happy I bit the bullet and done this upgrade, it's totally unbelievable..

 

PM sent to you Reaper22.

 

Im going to replace the compensator during my 103 upgrade. I looked at some videos of the red rust sludge that the grooves prevent and can't believe all the attention this is getting on the various forums. Before you loose sleep over this, sugggest you look at the videos as well. If the Harley primary drive system has tolerances that tight that oil is not certain to lubricate a key part, it just makes the case to go light on the oil and put 10W/40W in instead of 20W/50W in. you can't put grooves into every part in that system.

 

If cutting the grooves help on getting better lube then so be it, If harley engineers thought of everything that could go wrong with parts you would not be buying parts or upgrading parts, All I can say is if you don't want to put the grooves in your sprocket so be it, I did and till someone can come up with a good reason why not then let it go, it's your bike do what you think is right and I think the grooves will help lubrication to other parts and if it doesn't oh well ain't out of nuthn and certainly won't hurt the integrity of the the sprocket.. If you choose not to put grooves in please post how the compensator and oil does at first oil change, would like to know..

 

HD Lists P/N 40274-08 as the SE Compensator.

To quote from their catalog:
"Screamin’ Eagle Big Twin Compensator, This premium compensator has been engineered with heavier springs and increased travel to support the high torque output associated with high-compression race and large displacement engines. Designed to support up to 7 times the energy absorption capacity of the Original Equipment compensator, this unit helps protect the engine and driveline components during harsh drag race launches. The perfect addition to a complete performance upgrade, and it complements the installation of the Screamin’ Eagle Performance Clutch Hub P/N 37976-08."

IMHO, the this isn't so much an issue of needing "7 times the energy absorption capacity of the Original Equipment compensator" as it is about the stock compensator not being robust enough to handle anything much more than the stock engine output.

If or when either my stock compensator fails, or if the Stator on the Alternator fails, I suppose I'll change mine. But, I'm not going to invest in one until it either 1.) Fails or 2.) If I have reason to be in there messin' with it anyway. When It starts to fail it gives plenty of warning and is doesn't stop the bike from running so it's not something I'm going to loose any sleep over.

 

What if it would cause something else to fail?? I replaced mine cuz of the bang at startups (caint be good on other components) and noise going down road, and it also made shifting somewhat smoother, Boyz if you can put up with the banging then keep the stock compensator till it fails but just don't like running till failure, I am a believer in preventive maintenance.. Were beat'n a dead horse here, It's yur bike do it how you wish we are just posting results..