Increasing Compensator Longevity
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 5,270
Likes: 3,366
From: Idaho Panhandle
My Harley Touring manual, purchased when I purchased my bike says on page 1-12, Table 1-5 under Primary chain lubricant.
Wet 38 oz
Dry 45 oz
32 oz places you well below the clutch, 38 just on it. I have a '10. I do not believe your tech when my manual says otherwise. An independent Harley mechanic told me they were too lazy to open an extra quart just to add 6 ounces. I do not know if this is common practice, but it seems to be with your tech. I really don't care about your oil change, but I will do mine as recommended by Harley, not the poorly paid tech who was promoted from a service writer last week. Ask one of the mechanics who are too busy working on bikes to do oil changes why the tech disagrees with the Harley Service Manual.
On page 1-23, section 1.9 Primary Chaincase Lubricant it says on the top of page 1-24; "
6. Install drain plug and tighten to 14-21 ft-lbs (19.0-26.5 Nm).
7. Pour 38 fl.oz (1.12 liters) of recommended GENUINE Harley-Davidson lubricant through the clutch inspection cover opening.
Note: Add 45 fl.oz (1.33 liters) only if the primary chaincase or primary chaincase cover has been removed.
Wet 38 oz
Dry 45 oz
32 oz places you well below the clutch, 38 just on it. I have a '10. I do not believe your tech when my manual says otherwise. An independent Harley mechanic told me they were too lazy to open an extra quart just to add 6 ounces. I do not know if this is common practice, but it seems to be with your tech. I really don't care about your oil change, but I will do mine as recommended by Harley, not the poorly paid tech who was promoted from a service writer last week. Ask one of the mechanics who are too busy working on bikes to do oil changes why the tech disagrees with the Harley Service Manual.
On page 1-23, section 1.9 Primary Chaincase Lubricant it says on the top of page 1-24; "
6. Install drain plug and tighten to 14-21 ft-lbs (19.0-26.5 Nm).
7. Pour 38 fl.oz (1.12 liters) of recommended GENUINE Harley-Davidson lubricant through the clutch inspection cover opening.
Note: Add 45 fl.oz (1.33 liters) only if the primary chaincase or primary chaincase cover has been removed.
Last edited by son of the hounds; Mar 26, 2015 at 04:41 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,437
Likes: 80
From: currently an Okie
Comp
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.
Harley has cheapened up the bottom end of their motors while increasing the cubic inches (and power). The compensator is a way to keep the motor from twisting a flywheel. It's like a shock absorber for the motor.
The compensator is between the crankshaft and the primary chain to the transmission.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 11,463
Likes: 2,990
From: Charleston, SC
Harley has cheapened up the bottom end of their motors while increasing the cubic inches (and power). The compensator is a way to keep the motor from twisting a flywheel. It's like a shock absorber for the motor.
The compensator is between the crankshaft and the primary chain to the transmission.
The compensator is between the crankshaft and the primary chain to the transmission.
Their primary function is to even out the drive line output of our 45 Degree, single pin crank and all that.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,392
Likes: 21
From: Delaware
I was thinking about this the other day when I had my primary cover off- starting the bike slams that compensator pretty hard and it's usually dry when starting from sitting. Too bad you can't get some oil in there before starting?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 11,198
Likes: 3,028
From: St.Louis Mo.
junk compensators is the problem ! i have many friends running 124" engines with the old evo syle comps. with no problems. and they run them hard. harley needs to tighten up their specs. and use better bearings in their engines, along with better lifters.
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