HELP - Report from another thread - Compensator/Clutch Issues
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 100
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From: Grand Falls, New Brunswick
HELP - Report from another thread - Compensator/Clutch Issues
2010 FLHTC w/8600 miles - Stock all around
I just got back from a 7-day 2800 mile trip on my 2010 FLHTC which included one visit to the service dept at Ocean State Harley in RI. I told them that I had a strangle rattling sound coming from the primary area when I let the clutch out to the point of engagement in 1st gear while the motor was idling. It happens as the bike wants to stall. I reproduced the sound for them, to which the guy said he had never heard that and that it certainly wasn't normal. They brought the bike right in the shop after it cooled down, and found that the compensator bolt was loose, so they replaced the bolt and adjusted the chain tension. I was on my way within 2 hours. Great service from the guys down there.
However, my issue wasn't fixed and on top of that when I got the bike back the clutch adjustment had changed. There was weak friction up until the clutch was almost all the way out, and then a jolt forward once the clutch was almost all the way out.
I have some other things I find weird, so I'm going into the dealer on Monday with my list.
1) "Rattling" noise at idle when the lever is let out to engage, just before the engine wants to stall. Sounds like marbles around the primary.
2) Clutch slipping in 5th and 6th gears on Interstate speeds - all above 2500 RPM
3) Motor "binds up" occassionally when starting with no start, requiring a second start of the engine. When this happens, the radio usually comes on by itself.
4) Loud whining noise when making left sweeping turns at cruising speeds. Uneven tire wear?
5) "Clunk" when rolling on the throttle after coasting at cruising speeds.
6) Transmission dipstick is loosing it's chrome finish at different places on the stick.
Do you think some of these issues might be related?
Thanks,
Dan
I just got back from a 7-day 2800 mile trip on my 2010 FLHTC which included one visit to the service dept at Ocean State Harley in RI. I told them that I had a strangle rattling sound coming from the primary area when I let the clutch out to the point of engagement in 1st gear while the motor was idling. It happens as the bike wants to stall. I reproduced the sound for them, to which the guy said he had never heard that and that it certainly wasn't normal. They brought the bike right in the shop after it cooled down, and found that the compensator bolt was loose, so they replaced the bolt and adjusted the chain tension. I was on my way within 2 hours. Great service from the guys down there.
However, my issue wasn't fixed and on top of that when I got the bike back the clutch adjustment had changed. There was weak friction up until the clutch was almost all the way out, and then a jolt forward once the clutch was almost all the way out.
I have some other things I find weird, so I'm going into the dealer on Monday with my list.
1) "Rattling" noise at idle when the lever is let out to engage, just before the engine wants to stall. Sounds like marbles around the primary.
2) Clutch slipping in 5th and 6th gears on Interstate speeds - all above 2500 RPM
3) Motor "binds up" occassionally when starting with no start, requiring a second start of the engine. When this happens, the radio usually comes on by itself.
4) Loud whining noise when making left sweeping turns at cruising speeds. Uneven tire wear?
5) "Clunk" when rolling on the throttle after coasting at cruising speeds.
6) Transmission dipstick is loosing it's chrome finish at different places on the stick.
Do you think some of these issues might be related?
Thanks,
Dan
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 3
From: NYC
1,2,3,and 5 are probally related. sounds like the usual primary case problems. when they retoruqed the bolt, hopefully they used the correct lock tight which I think is the red lock tight. someone will jump in and confirm or correct.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2011
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From: Grand Falls, New Brunswick
Dan
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,216
Likes: 102
From: Central Illinois
1. With the stock compensator, if you let the clutch out to the point of the engine stalling, it WILL make that loud clunking/rattling sound. Its the compensator rapidly moving back and forth and not enough spring cushion to prevent it "bottoming" out. Its why people are changing out to the SE one. Also, dont let the clutch out till it nearly stalls, it will eventually damage the compensator for no reason at all.
2. If the clutch is slipping, then it is probably misadjusted at the clutch itself, under the inspection cover on the primary cover. A proper adjustment may fix it, unless you have been slipping the hell out of the clutch then you may have worn the discs too much for an adjustment to work. Just like I said above about not trying to stall the engine on clutch let out, also don't rev the hell out of it either when letting out the clutch and slipping it.
3. Not sure why this is happening, unless the battery is low on a charge. There may be a starter issue also.
4. Tires. Probably normal, but there was a bulletin related to the front tires cupping on 09's, don't know if it went into 10's.
5. Slack in the primary chain being taken up when hitting the throttle hard. Actually seems to me to be normal, unless the chain adjuster is not working, which seems unlikely. It is probably also related to the stock compensator "bottoming" out under load, which would be normal for the stock comp.
6. Bad chrome on dipstick.
Just my opinion and observations.
2. If the clutch is slipping, then it is probably misadjusted at the clutch itself, under the inspection cover on the primary cover. A proper adjustment may fix it, unless you have been slipping the hell out of the clutch then you may have worn the discs too much for an adjustment to work. Just like I said above about not trying to stall the engine on clutch let out, also don't rev the hell out of it either when letting out the clutch and slipping it.
3. Not sure why this is happening, unless the battery is low on a charge. There may be a starter issue also.
4. Tires. Probably normal, but there was a bulletin related to the front tires cupping on 09's, don't know if it went into 10's.
5. Slack in the primary chain being taken up when hitting the throttle hard. Actually seems to me to be normal, unless the chain adjuster is not working, which seems unlikely. It is probably also related to the stock compensator "bottoming" out under load, which would be normal for the stock comp.
6. Bad chrome on dipstick.
Just my opinion and observations.
Last edited by Guntoter; Jul 30, 2011 at 05:57 PM.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 100
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From: Grand Falls, New Brunswick
Thanks for your feedback. I don't slip the clutch, only to illustrate the noise it makes. And I generally keep the RPM's over 2500 when riding.
I'll post back if I hear anything else from the dealer. My warranty finishes in a couple weeks, so I want to register these issues.
Thanks.
I'll post back if I hear anything else from the dealer. My warranty finishes in a couple weeks, so I want to register these issues.
Thanks.
Supporter
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 4,419
Likes: 89
From: Vermont
With the exception of the dipstick issue, I am fairly confident that a new compensator, (go with the Screaming Eagle upgrade, even if you have to pay the difference), will correct your issues. Hopefully a competent Tech will install it..One that also knows how to correctly adjust the clutch.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
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From: Oxford, Nc
I just looked through a few pages of HD compensators going back to '85. There is fundamentally no difference in the design of the stock units going all the way back to at least then.
Can't find many Compensator issues on 06 and earlier models either. ( Mine's gone 92,000 miles for example w/o a peep.)
So the question seams to be: What about the 96" motor destroys compensators?
If you don't find the cause, you're forever fixing symptoms.
Can't find many Compensator issues on 06 and earlier models either. ( Mine's gone 92,000 miles for example w/o a peep.)
So the question seams to be: What about the 96" motor destroys compensators?
If you don't find the cause, you're forever fixing symptoms.
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Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 100
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From: Grand Falls, New Brunswick
I'm going to try to be tactful with the dealer. I don't want to give the impression that I'm just trying to get a new compensator, however my issues are legit. With only 3 weeks left on the MOCO warranty, I want this fixed. I'm seriously thinking about going with an ESP. What are the ESP plans selling for? Would it matter since I bought the bike used?
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,816
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From: New Hampshire
Heavy- Ever bring your bike back to the dealer? When I first start out and don't give it enough gas while letting the lever out to engage I get the rattling around can of marbles sound as well. And this is on my '11 which is supposed to have the SE compensator already
Let us know what dealer told you on your questions
Let us know what dealer told you on your questions