SE Compensator junked....
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
I wonder if these problems are related to power output. You're on or near the top tier of that issue with your 120R and I'm rather down the ladder quite a bit with my Stage 1˝ 96" setup. I have an early -08 SE comp that was installed 23k miles and almost three years ago and no problems that I'm aware of. It makes some odd noises, mostly whining which is nothing new along with another type of whine on hard decel, but no knocking noises that's been described as indicating a faulty comp. I'm now at 55k and am thinking about taking the primary apart for a thorough inspection just to check things out, as by now I'm paranoid.
Last edited by iclick; Jul 8, 2012 at 12:53 PM.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
What kind of noise?
Oh, boy! If so that would be Gen 3 SE Comp, which I guess would be -08B. I wonder how far up the alphabet they'll need to go to finally get it right?
Parts are back ordered and due to be released 7/13, Tech thinks a upgrade might be in the works?
Club Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 479
Likes: 1
From: In the flatlands!
I installed the latest SE Comp about 2-3 months back. Started hearing a noise like lifters loose while running down the highway. Got to reading about this problem here on the forum. I couldn't take it anymore and was loosing sleep so I took it back off and noticed the notches that were made in the sprocket ramps, spokes as I would call them. I bought a new bolt and installed the original stock comp. Noise gone!
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,440
Likes: 148
From: Northwest
I've got about 10-15k (can't remember the exact mileage) on my SE comp. Primary is noisy as heck... not looking forward to pulling it and inspecting... . I installed the SE comp because I could not take the hammer-slap from the stock comp at startup. So it looks like I changed one POS for another. Seriously thinking about saving a couple more coins and going to a belt drive.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,780
Likes: 69
From: Al Bu Ker Key, New Mexico
30K so far on the original Compensator in my 2010 StreetGlide. Yeah, it bangs like hell when I start it but no new noises since I bought it. I may pull the primary at the 30K service just for a look-see. I have the Extended Warranty so my strategy has been to just ride the bike and wait for the failure. Let MoCo eat it if it happens at all. Stock motor.
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
Talked to the Tech this morning and looks like the new parts release date has been pushed back to 7/30.
Side story is that another customer that is an engineer has been working on a fix. He machined a primary cover with a pexiglass cover so he could watch what was going on inside with the engine running. His conclusion was that because the pully was cast instead of machined, that some times the pully would be pulling on only one ramp because of the small difference in diameter of the cast pully arms. Also with the pully and ramp spinning they were spinning the oil off. Bottom line is he had the pully and ramps machined so they had same specs on all three arms and the ramps were at the same angle cut. This may be a little over the top for all but an engineer,but I was told he had a spooky quite primary!
This could explain why mine locked up on the ramps,maybe a cast that was a little off,not just mine. Will see if new part has been improved........
Side story is that another customer that is an engineer has been working on a fix. He machined a primary cover with a pexiglass cover so he could watch what was going on inside with the engine running. His conclusion was that because the pully was cast instead of machined, that some times the pully would be pulling on only one ramp because of the small difference in diameter of the cast pully arms. Also with the pully and ramp spinning they were spinning the oil off. Bottom line is he had the pully and ramps machined so they had same specs on all three arms and the ramps were at the same angle cut. This may be a little over the top for all but an engineer,but I was told he had a spooky quite primary!
This could explain why mine locked up on the ramps,maybe a cast that was a little off,not just mine. Will see if new part has been improved........
My installed S.E. compensator makes lots of noise also. Probably got about 1000 miles on it. I put about 400 miles on it yesterday with no-mercy, nothing broke. Crusing various speeds in upper gears you can here the wine. I don't know yet how to improve on this, but I don't like to hear this type of noise, sounds like it runing dry or something similar.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 28,559
Likes: 3,955
From: Vermont
Took my primary apart last week to check the original -08 SE comp. Found the usual fretting that occurs. Cleaned it all and reinstalled along with new rotor and stator. Primary much quieter now.
