Compensator, Starter clunk: normal or a problem?
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 294
Likes: 16
I just hit 32K and had an occasional clunk right as the engine engaged. It seemed that it would clunk/bind but if I held the starter button down, it would fight through it. It only did this every now and then. I had to get my rear shifter stem replaced and since you have to takeoff the primary to get to this $22 part, I said to inspect everything. Yep, they found it. The compensator was worn. I had to pay for the labor to repair the other part so I told them to replace all bad parts. No more labor, just parts. Still, it's $700 either way.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,034
Likes: 127
The 2014 model year bikes have a newly designed compensator in them. It really is quite different looking. They also sell the same compensator to retro fit older twin cammers. Do a search and you can find pictures of the new compensator on this website. Can 't say if it is really better or not. The last 3 newly upgraded compensators didn't prove to be any better than the original when it came to failures. That whole compensator thing just sucks. Old engineering.
Supporter
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,196
Likes: 10
From: Shenandoah, TX
If it get worse, change it with the SE comp. The OEM comp will take out your starter it not changed ( mine did). Myself as many others have had stator problems also. Not sure if they are caused from comp problem, but it sure is a quinky dink. I went though 2 OEM comps and 2 SE comps. The first SE comp was installed wrong from the dealer. The 2nd, I changed and found 1 of the spring plates backward.
Novice
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
2009 compensator and starter issue
I have 2009, it has 30k miles and on fourth compensator, with its third improved design. After compensator is replace the starter sounds great with no problems, but after a few hundred miles the same problem comes back. If I ride for an hour and engine is hot, shut down the motor and restart the starter makes a very loud clank, sounds like gears down mesh. Harley stood behind it in the beginning but now it's my problem. Anybody got the answer? It should be recall, Harley knows the compensators are bad because the keep redesigning it. I also replaced primary chain and tightener, starter, clutch basket, battery, 
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Novice
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
2009 compensator and starter issue when hot
I have 2009, that has 30k miles and on fourth compensator, with its third improved design. After compensator is replace the starter sounds great with no problems, but after a few hundred miles the same problem comes back and now dealing with same problem again. If I ride for an hour and engine is hot, shut down the motor and restart the starter makes a very loud clank, sounds like gears down mesh. Harley stood behind it in the beginning but now it's my problem. Anybody got the answer? It should be recall, Harley knows the compensators are bad because the keep redesigning it. I also replaced primary chain and tightener, starter, clutch basket, battery,
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