Increasing Compensator Longevity
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 66,948
Likes: 4,573
From: TOAK western branch
I'm still somewhat undecided as to whether or not take it all apart and inspect or just change oil and ride it another 3 or 4k. No noise or vibration so I may wait till I can do it all at once, Stator,Baker Comp, Attitude adjuster, and maybe a VPC. Now thats getting expensive!
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,437
Likes: 80
From: currently an Okie
Nother comp tale
I posted to this thread last summer. I've got less than two weeks to go on my warranty and I'm 300 miles short of the 60,000 miles I wanted to get under warranty. (I'll get there).
I still have the original compensator and have no problems with it. I took the primary cover off to look at the comp a couple of weeks ago and it looked pretty good.
I thought for sure I would get HD to buy the first one, but it doesn't look like that is going to happen.
I might have to trade mine out within the next year. If I do, I'll put a compensavor on it too. I wouldn't be surprised if I get over 100K on the original though.
I'll let you know in about 15 months.
I still have the original compensator and have no problems with it. I took the primary cover off to look at the comp a couple of weeks ago and it looked pretty good.
I thought for sure I would get HD to buy the first one, but it doesn't look like that is going to happen.
I might have to trade mine out within the next year. If I do, I'll put a compensavor on it too. I wouldn't be surprised if I get over 100K on the original though.
I'll let you know in about 15 months.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 594
Likes: 10
From: Seminole County, FL
++1 on that! I have over 58k on my '07, just had mine off for a look. Some wear, but not enough to make me change it. If the Baker comp was available when I had it out I might have changed it, I change the primary oil every 5k miles and expect I can get another 20k out of the stock one.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 403
Likes: 7
to all who checks their comp and think it OK, their is another way to check it. if you get unusual vibration or excessive drive line slop, try this. take a wrench on the bolt and move the comp back and forth . if the motor turns and the comp doesn't its wore out. it may only move very little. Gone through 2 and putting new version in under warranty.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 5,270
Likes: 3,369
From: Idaho Panhandle
The Primary calls for 38 ounces. I saw a "Harley" tech use one quart and no more. I asked the Harley tech, "hey, the manual calls for 38 ounces." He said "it does not need it when it is wet." The extra 6 ounces raises the oil level onto the clutch plate which throws oil on the compensator. When we got my buddies bike back to my garage, I added 6 ounces. Since then he does his own. With all the "compensator" issues and talk, I was surprised by the casual attitude by the dealer about 6 ounces in the primary. Moral of this story is to do your own fluid changes or make sure your tech uses 38.
When I first got my bike and the shop did the 600 miles service, I asked the tech to take it for a ride as the compensator sounded loud. He said he rode it and it sounded normal. I took it home, took off the primary cover and the compensator was not torqued properly. It was 1/2 of spec or less than 60 Nm. I torqued it to spec and added 38 ounces. Been quiet and a non-issue since.
When I first got my bike and the shop did the 600 miles service, I asked the tech to take it for a ride as the compensator sounded loud. He said he rode it and it sounded normal. I took it home, took off the primary cover and the compensator was not torqued properly. It was 1/2 of spec or less than 60 Nm. I torqued it to spec and added 38 ounces. Been quiet and a non-issue since.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,630
Likes: 17
From: Central FL
The Primary calls for 38 ounces. I saw a "Harley" tech use one quart and no more. I asked the Harley tech, "hey, the manual calls for 38 ounces." He said "it does not need it when it is wet." The extra 6 ounces raises the oil level onto the clutch plate which throws oil on the compensator. When we got my buddies bike back to my garage, I added 6 ounces. Since then he does his own. With all the "compensator" issues and talk, I was surprised by the casual attitude by the dealer about 6 ounces in the primary. Moral of this story is to do your own fluid changes or make sure your tech uses 38.
When I first got my bike and the shop did the 600 miles service, I asked the tech to take it for a ride as the compensator sounded loud. He said he rode it and it sounded normal. I took it home, took off the primary cover and the compensator was not torqued properly. It was 1/2 of spec or less than 60 Nm. I torqued it to spec and added 38 ounces. Been quiet and a non-issue since.
When I first got my bike and the shop did the 600 miles service, I asked the tech to take it for a ride as the compensator sounded loud. He said he rode it and it sounded normal. I took it home, took off the primary cover and the compensator was not torqued properly. It was 1/2 of spec or less than 60 Nm. I torqued it to spec and added 38 ounces. Been quiet and a non-issue since.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 369
Likes: 1
From: Lubbock, TX
Please forgive my ignorance with this matter. I am not a mechanic though I change my own oil, etc and have been in the automobile industry for almost 30 years so I have a good understanding of engine and transmission parts and the roles they play. I am struggling trying to visualize the role a compensator plays in the drivetrain. What is it and what noise does it make as it begins to go out? Where is it located and what is its job? What do I look out for? Apologize again for my lack of understanding.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,415
Likes: 197
Chris is right. The manual for my 12 Ultra calls for 38oz oil WET as did the manual for my 09. I follow that recomendation religiously AND change the primary oil with each engine oil change (5000 miles) using Formula+ oil. My 09 had 83,000 miles on it when I traded, still with the original compensator and clutch in it.