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Your 2008 model will need a new rotor to be able to use the latest compensator. The dealer that quoted $800 knew this, the dealer that quoted $500 did not take this into account. You also need to remove the inner primary to replace the rotor properly although some people just grind some metal off the inner primary so they can get the rotor off.
might also want to look at the starter clutch and the teeth on the ring gear.
I second this opinion. I would buy an All ***** starter clutch and install it before I spent the money on a new compensator. If you are the least bit mechanically inclined you can do it yourself. It will costs less than $100 and if that doesn't fix it at least you will have a good starter clutch in place.
I think too that we are up to 3 new and improved compensators ever sense the failures started showing up so make sure you are getting the latest and greatest.
That's what I would do before I scheduled a new comp.
They swapped the starter on mine to a high torque SE type and the problem didn't go away...I went through 2 stock comps then another dealer installed the SE comp 25 miles before my warranty expired ...this has been 1 & 1/2 years and about 7000 mikes and yet no issues...
Have you checked the cables on that new battery. 75% of the banging is either warn out batteries nursed along on a maintenance charger or loose connections. If the compensator was really the problem just turning the motor over starting it, it would bang ever gear change, when you let off the gas or down shifted abruptly. Some people let up to quickly on the starter button also and causes it.
Last edited by Jackie Paper; Jun 16, 2014 at 08:00 PM.
Have you checked the cables on that new battery. 75% of the banging is either warn out batteries nursed along on a maintenance charger or loose connections. If the compensator was really the problem just turning the motor over starting it, it would bang ever gear change, when you let off the gas or down shifted abruptly. Some people let up to quickly on the starter button also and causes it.
My 07 did this with a brand new battery, it sounded and shifted fine otherwise...only did the starter grind at start up, mostly when it was warm....
My 07 FLHTC and my buddies 08 flhtcu had the same issue...DO NOT PUT. A STOCK COMPENSATOR BACK IN....Make sure it's a screaming eagle. If you put a stock one back in your problem will come back.
I think if you put in the newest of the new and improved SE model the issue will come back.
I think if you put in the newest of the new and improved SE model the issue will come back.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using IB AutoGroup
When they installed the replacement stock one the first time, it started grinding after like 1000 miles now it's been like 7000 mikes and it never flinches...this comp was a last year install Screaming Eagle...the bike has 84000 miles on it...So we shall see if it comes back....
My 07 did this with a brand new battery, it sounded and shifted fine otherwise...only did the starter grind at start up, mostly when it was warm....
Do not think grind is what he is describing. Know on a lot of the older SE compensators, Harley did not get the case hardening deep enough or either the steel was just a sorry grade but when the ramps gaulded, the surface was very rough and I think this would make a grind. Banging usually comes from a weak battery. I have yet to see a posted picture of a truly broken spring on a compensator on here. See a whole lot of gaulded SE ones. Sure are a lot of TIN men at dealers and indes selling the kool aid however. HOW EVER MY COMMENT WAS JUST A SUGGESTION FOR THE FP TO CHECK OUT AND JUST MY OPINION...I'M NO EXPERT.
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