Another compensator thread ... maybe
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 759
Likes: 34
From: Virginia
Another compensator thread ... maybe
2009 Ultra Classic with 16,000 on the odometer; Stage 1 A/C with HD download, Jackpot Dyno-tuned slipons from FuelMoto. Mobil1 V-twin 20w50 in crankcase, HD Formula+ in primary and transmission. Fluids changed every 2,500 miles or so. Friday, on a hot ride to Wauseon, OH for the swap meet, I noticed some new noises in the primary. Mostly going thru the gears, a lot more noise when pulling the clutch lever and clunkier shifting. Neutral was hard to find, but neutral has always been hard to find on this bike. Doesn't sound like a clutch issue because there's been no change in clutch engagement and the noises seem to come from the front of the primary case, not the clutch area. Figured I needed to change primary fluid, but was only 1,400 miles since the last fluid change. Saturday, same story, different ride. Sunday, changed primary fluid and noticed a slight improvement, but still not "normal" primary noise. I haven't noticed the tell-tale "bang" on start-up, but I'm wondering if I'm having some compensator issues and could use some info from others who have fixed problems like I've described. Anybody had these symptoms before?
Edit: Also getting some knocking from front of primary at 2500-3000 rpm when shifting. Loose chain? Compensator nut? Tensioner?
Edit: Also getting some knocking from front of primary at 2500-3000 rpm when shifting. Loose chain? Compensator nut? Tensioner?
Last edited by RoadHog659; Jul 17, 2011 at 08:11 PM.
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 253
Likes: 1
From: S E Michigan
Nearing the 15K point and bike is in shop for a SE Compensator upgrade. Noticed lately the notorious "bang" on startup is getting louder and harder. Can feel it way up at the clutch lever when pulled in during starting. Neutral was easy to find and now is getting harder. Readjusted the clutch to see if that was the problem - not. There are a few bangs when in lower gears i.e. 1st & 2nd. Don't want to wait for it to destruct. Will let you know later this week if it is fixed with new compensator.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 759
Likes: 34
From: Virginia
Nearing the 15K point and bike is in shop for a SE Compensator upgrade. Noticed lately the notorious "bang" on startup is getting louder and harder. Can feel it way up at the clutch lever when pulled in during starting. Neutral was easy to find and now is getting harder. Readjusted the clutch to see if that was the problem - not. There are a few bangs when in lower gears i.e. 1st & 2nd. Don't want to wait for it to destruct. Will let you know later this week if it is fixed with new compensator.
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 759
Likes: 34
From: Virginia
Brushing up on my communication skills
Guess I'd better brush up on my communication skills. Posted my questions on this forum and only got one response (BTW, THANKS kdfcogwheel). Called my Indy to see whether he'd be willing to take a look at my bike - he had a customer in the shop so he jotted down my number, but never got a call back. Am I typing/talking in a foreign language or something? Suzuki maybe?
Road Captain
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 565
Likes: 2
From: Palmyra Missouri
Man when I did mine I just didn't like the way it would grind/bang at startup vibrated all the tome going down road, altho I did not experience hard neutrals, Installiing the SE comp got rid of the startup issue but I have a chatter between 60 and 70mph (more so in sixth) but it's not constant, comes and goes... So the trade off was worth it. BTW my se nut was not loose when I swapped them out.I replace the compensator as preventing maint. cuz I heard it can take out starter clutches and could damage crank if got loose...
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 528
Likes: 4
From: Alberta Canada
My primary was noisy until I put it in gear, then it would kinda quiet down. Pulled it apart and found a bad inner primary bearing and race. Also upgraded to SE compensator at the same time. The bike has a lot less driveline slop and she's quieter then when it was new.
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Long Island,NY
I just changed my stock compensator to the SE compensator on my bike, 25000 miles on my 2010 ultra limited and the only difference i see is at start up, it was worth it, did it myself in about 3 hours from following a thread I found on here.
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Road Captain
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 565
Likes: 2
From: Palmyra Missouri
Can you tell me if you experience the chatter with the SE comp?
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 253
Likes: 1
From: S E Michigan
Thanks kdfcogwheel. I'll be interested to hear if the SE compensator solves your problems. I'm not sure our bikes have the same symptoms, but I'd like to get to the bottom of this once and for all. I get some clunking, chain slapping, knocking .... whatever you want to call it .... shifting up thru the gears around 2500-2000 rpm. When I pull the clutch lever in to shift, I get a whirring sound, nuts and bolts in a coffee can kind of sound, a loud clunk when I shift and a 2nd clunk when letting out the clutch lever. I'm no mechanic, but I know a new noise when I hear it, and these new noises sound like they could add up to some expensive repairs. I'm anxious to hear what you find out about your compensator.