my compensator is quiet at start up but when i shut it down it makes a clanking noise. i rode my brothers bike today(same year ,same model) and it's quiet on start up and shut off, his bike has double the miles as mine. mine does make some rattling noise at just the right cruising speed. i thought these new comps. made noise at start up when they were bad. wondering if this thing is shot or what. what a piece of crap harley designed here. it is tight as i've had it apart and torqued in down with a new bolt. what do you guys think just run it until it gets real bad. oh well, i guess i'll have another beer and give it some thought.

 

I had mine replaced under warranty for the same thing, the clunk, when shutting it down.

 

don't know if will cause any damage if i keep running it as i am out of warranty now. i know these new comps. are junk.

 

My FLHTCI sounded like this before I pulled it apart.

 

It can eventually cause damage at least to the rotor and starter shaft if you keep running a bad compensator. I know from experience.

 

Mine sounds like that most of the time when I shut it down.

So you pulled it apart and what, replaced it?

 

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One thing I've learned after 20+ years of riding is "If it doesn't sound right, it probably isn't"

 

Mine made a horrible screeching noise so bad the other day after starting it up after stopping for gas after a run I really did not think it would start up again. but it did.
It has done it before too just not to that level.
It made me so concerned I made an appt. w/my dealer.
I can't get in for 10 days, or until the 9th.

Prior to that on occasion I go to start it and it acts like it does not want to start at all.
Like the starter is dragging to start.
It acts like the battery is not good.
Battery was replaced 2 years ago and it is always on a tender when at home.
Other times I get a slight bang on start up where I used to get a loud bang.

I am hoping that it is the comp. From what I have read here in this forum it is.
I have a year left on my ESP and hope I can get a new one.
It is the original comp and I have right at 20 K on the bike.

 

junk compensator is the problem. the noise at shutting it off isn't as bad as the noise on start up.