SE Compensator
Stage II
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: btown
My heritage has 54K miles and have only bought tires, and brakes. Purchase an owners repair manuel, it has all spec. and what the purpose for the item how it works, service intervals etc. its not rocket science. My trans. was shifting hard, adjusted my primary and now shifting smooth, change all oils at sme time, totall of 5 quarts.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 73
Likes: 1
From: Apex, NC "The peak of good living"
I was just "blessed" with a $724.00 repair bill for what I thought was a bad lip seal on the main shaft in the primary. While they were in there they found the compensator had one inch of free play in it. $289.00 later I had an SE compensator in the primary. I was told that the OE compensator was no longer available, I assume due to design deficiencies. I talked to the Motor Company and they said there was nothing they would be willing to do. This bike has just over 15k on it and is a 2007 FLHT standard. I understand not wanting to warranty parts that are direct replacements but to replace a part that is unable to provide the function it was was designed to perform with a "new and improved" model should be, at least in part, the responsibilty of the manufacturer. One more like this and I will be in the market for a bike that is built by someone else.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 5,092
Likes: 2
From: Wenatchee, WA
A lot of discussion on this. AI (Donny Peterson) wrote several good articles as well. The 6 speed transmission had some teething problems in that it allowed reflected energy from the rear pulley to be felt through the tranny to the compensator. This resulted is a banging (some described it as a whine) predominantly in 5th. He was saying that although distracting, the problem was aesthetic and not design - the tranny is sound. That said, the SE will fix it.
/a bad starter clutch (gawd awful screech when starting a hot engine) have led some to suspect the standard comp, leading them to swap up to the SE and a fix. I'm not so sure that the fix wasn't just a change in the dynamics of the new SE comp.
I think I'd advise anyone with the primary open/apart to change to a SE while there in there but only because of the economy of action.
/a bad starter clutch (gawd awful screech when starting a hot engine) have led some to suspect the standard comp, leading them to swap up to the SE and a fix. I'm not so sure that the fix wasn't just a change in the dynamics of the new SE comp.
I think I'd advise anyone with the primary open/apart to change to a SE while there in there but only because of the economy of action.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 2,283
Likes: 4
From: nebraska
There is a new compensator design for 2014 and an up grade kit for older bikes .there is a plastic splasher thingy to get more lube on it and groves cut to get more oil on sprocket I think you might need a different rotor for older bikes
http://www.harley-davidson.com/store...mpensator#tabs
http://www.harley-davidson.com/store...mpensator#tabs
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 73
Likes: 1
From: Apex, NC "The peak of good living"
Update on the Primary service. Got home and there is a knocking noise in the primary where the compensator is located. Very pronounced when at an idle. And the people who wash the bikes before you pick them up must have soaked down my radio because it would not power up until halfway home and will not come out of demo mode. I am very disappointed to say the least. If they don't make this all good I don't know what I can do.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,405
Likes: 6
From: Portland, Oregon
With a stock 96 ci setup on my engine I've never experienced any issues with shifting or starting my bike. I have 2007 RK Custom with about 11,000. I'm looking to go to a 107 Big Bore kit that has a lot of attention on this forum. I'm wondering if once i do that the Compensator might not handle the torque.
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