Which Compensator to get?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,916
Likes: 31
From: earth
I put on the SE and there was no requirement to balance it. It was a big improvement over stock....If you are taking the time to open it up why put the stocker back in, it has a history of problems...just getting rid of the starter clunk was worth the swap and it runs way smoother..JMHO
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,221
Likes: 4
From: Annemasse (border of Geneva-Switzerland) facing Mt-Blanc.
I wouldn't mind having a brushless servo motor instead of the traditional serial wound starter motor. This type of motor can eliminate the initial "Bang", spin fast enough to start of the engine progressively and then charge the battery once the engine is running, like on a hybrid vehicle.
Road Master
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,005
Likes: 4
From: Alabama
If you think you have a problem with your compensator be sure and find the root cause of the problem. I fixed my compensator "BANG" with a $79 All ***** starter clutch and a few hours of learning a new starter system in my garage (see my album). With some of the newer posts on here it still doesn't sound like the MOCO has "FIXED" the compensator. Now there is a question of balancing the new $250 compensator. And that still doesnt fix the not enough oil issue they are having. Might want to wait a bit if you can.The bang I and most have had at startup is not caused by the starter.
The stock compensator is weak. When you engage the starter with the engine on the compression stroke the compensator will bottom out with a loud metallic bang.
The starter motor run-up, and sudden impact when the comp bottoms out will eventually kill a starter drive clutch.
I am extremely satisfied with the SE compensator upgrade.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,221
Likes: 4
From: Annemasse (border of Geneva-Switzerland) facing Mt-Blanc.
I think the stock compensator was designed to let the "Bang" protect the starter motor in case of engine misfiring due to a timing error. If the compensator springs are weak enough, once the engine runs under partial load the cams will no longer slide and will not wear their ramps.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 974
Likes: 13
From: Chesapeake Virginia
The bang I and most have had at startup is not caused by the starter.
The stock compensator is weak. When you engage the starter with the engine on the compression stroke the compensator will bottom out with a loud metallic bang.
The starter motor run-up, and sudden impact when the comp bottoms out will eventually kill a starter drive clutch.
I am extremely satisfied with the SE compensator upgrade.
The stock compensator is weak. When you engage the starter with the engine on the compression stroke the compensator will bottom out with a loud metallic bang.
The starter motor run-up, and sudden impact when the comp bottoms out will eventually kill a starter drive clutch.
I am extremely satisfied with the SE compensator upgrade.
I also am not trying to offend anyone who did the upgrade or saying they made a bad decision but based on postings on this forum including this thread I would wait if it was not an imediate problem. Just me I hate fixing something that doesnt get fixed especially when this kind of money is involved or someone comes out with a better moustrap the day after I bought mine (Like the A version of the SE). When the MOCO comes out with the B version to fix the fretting in rotating parts I might consider an SE and thought the OP might like to know about those issues.
Road Master
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,005
Likes: 4
From: Alabama
All I am saying to the OP is be sure and find root cause. Obviousley this "BANG" can happen from different causes and just randomly replacing it is not the solution. IMO I don't see how starter run up could possibly have a "BANG" as prominent as mine was. Your springs must have been non existant. But that would not surprise me. At 37K miles mine definitely came at comp unload as the engine started. If it didn't start it did not bang.
I also am not trying to offend anyone who did the upgrade or saying they made a bad decision but based on postings on this forum including this thread I would wait if it was not an imediate problem. Just me I hate fixing something that doesnt get fixed especially when this kind of money is involved or someone comes out with a better moustrap the day after I bought mine (Like the A version of the SE). When the MOCO comes out with the B version to fix the fretting in rotating parts I might consider an SE and thought the OP might like to know about those issues.
I also am not trying to offend anyone who did the upgrade or saying they made a bad decision but based on postings on this forum including this thread I would wait if it was not an imediate problem. Just me I hate fixing something that doesnt get fixed especially when this kind of money is involved or someone comes out with a better moustrap the day after I bought mine (Like the A version of the SE). When the MOCO comes out with the B version to fix the fretting in rotating parts I might consider an SE and thought the OP might like to know about those issues.
No sir, no offense taken...
The starter run up issue is what I was told by a very knowledgeable HD tech.
It made sense to me that is what was happening in my case.
The bike would never start when it banged, never. It would bang right when you hit the starter and then a puff of smoke out of the air filter when the engine backed up. Same sequence every time, bang then smoke out of the intake.
The tech told me the weak spring system of the comp was the problem.
Since replacing with the SE comp I have no more bang at startup. It fixed it in my case.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,808
Likes: 285
From: Green Country Oklahoma
I have SE in my 07 UC since Jan,08 and 47K miles later haven't given me any problem,but that doesn't mean it's bullet proof.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,995
Likes: 2
From: Land of 10,000 lakes
The mysterious bang on start-up. Is it caused by the compensator or the starter clutch? I vote for the starter clutch, and after talking with numerous techs ( formerly known as bike mechanics), at four different dealerships about it they seem to agree. Most didn't even know about the S.E comp and 3 of the 4 dealerships had never seen a stock compensator go bad, or admit to it.
Last edited by springer 03; Jan 11, 2012 at 07:45 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,995
Likes: 2
From: Land of 10,000 lakes
In addition they knew that the starter clutches were a piece of **** and could change them in no time. I think the main telling point is that none of the dealers stock the S.E. compensator ( special order item),but they all stock the starter drive clutch.