Broken compensator and springs

Energy One

jska2636

Member
So i purchased a 2004 chopper with low milage 1 year ago..it has been a great bike and tons of fun to ride except i have now broken the compensator and springs for the 2nd time in 1 year..1st time i cought it before it exploded and did any damage, but this past weekend i was out on a ride while reving it really high and switching into 2nd gear something inside the primary broke and was rattling around inside the primary..i cant say 100% its the compensator yet but i have a good fealing it is..the motor runs fine, tranny still switches gears, clutch works fine..just something in the primary broke and is getting jammed between primary chain and gears and locking up the rear tire..im 99% its the primary compensator and springs..anyone else had these issues? If so what are my options to repair and prevent this from happening again? Thanks.. picture is from 1st compensator break!
 

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TapioK

Well-Known Member
You have any pics yet? Dunno what kind of comp. it is you have, but evo compensator breaking is pretty rare, twin cam getting noisy is very common. and those pieces of spring look weird to me. Don't know shit, but I have bought couple of comps to my friends (cvo twincams) they haven't been broken, just noisy. Loud "clunck "when you take off...
Some pics of said parts:
 

TapioK

Well-Known Member
I think Harley has a upgrade kit for the compensator.
They do, and that is shit (noisy) too. The new is pretty much the old EVO style.
Looks like screaming eagle has too much torque for it?
They changed it to make it more civilized I suppose, the shoulders are too mild, spring too weak, and the parts move too much causing them to wear and become noisy. I feel too lazy to figure all the correct words in English. Hope you got the idea.
 

Th3InfamousI

Administrator
Staff member
I think Harley has a upgrade kit for the compensator.
They do, and that is shit (noisy) too. The new is pretty much the old EVO style.
Looks like screaming eagle has too much torque for it?
They changed it to make it more civilized I suppose, the shoulders are too mild, spring too weak, and the parts move too much causing them to wear and become noisy. I feel too lazy to figure all the correct words in English. Hope you got the idea.
Guy at work has a newer street glide it's been in for warranty a couple times with that. The last time he had it they added a spacer, which I thought was weird.

Baker has an upgrade which I believe is better than Harley



Sent from my 2PS64 using Tapatalk
 

TapioK

Well-Known Member
Guy at work has a newer street glide it's been in for warranty a couple times with that. The last time he had it they added a spacer, which I thought was weird.

Baker has an upgrade which I believe is better than Harley



Sent from my 2PS64 using Tapatalk
Yep, Baker looks pretty much like old EVO compensator, that was good and the spring is heavier. Bought my friend that one a while ago.
I think the idea of the spacer may be to load the spring more, desperate fix.
 

Fat_Bastard

Active Member
You have any pics yet? Dunno what kind of comp. it is you have, but evo compensator breaking is pretty rare, twin cam getting noisy is very common. and those pieces of spring look weird to me. Don't know shit, but I have bought couple of comps to my friends (cvo twincams) they haven't been broken, just noisy. Loud "clunck "when you take off...
Some pics of said parts:
Nice photos TapioK! and great comments by others...

What helped me:

2004 Chopper: Copy and paste from my thread on this:

Engine Idle Rattleing Noise Fixed: Loose Compensator Nut


Thanks Dakotabos for PM and hot tip on Compensator Nut on front sprocket.

After researching and watching (listening to motors idle) on a few youtube videos, I think it is a loose Compensator Nut and/or worn Compensator; as you do...

(note: I have additional noise, from the left side primary case, like a bad bearing sound "rattleing" at 800 to 950 rpm, goes away at 1000 rpm -- that has been slowly steadily getting worse; along with the chirp on decelleration).

I will try the Compensator Nut first and let you know how that turns out this weekend.
Update Saturday 4-6-2013:
**ENGINE IDLE RATTLEING WAS FIXED:

found loose Compensator Nut; removed it with about 10 ft lbs. of torque!!!!, caught it before major damage... Removed, cleaned, retightened nut with High Heat Red Loctite to 150 ft lbs. **

Thanks to "Dakotabos" and "Woodbutcher" to send me down the right path.:2thumbs:

This video also convinced me of the potential fix since my "idle" rattleing noise was not quite as bad as this Harley; [which I believe also had a loose compensator nut] (see youtube link).



And Torque the shit out of the nut!!! with Red Loctite!!!!!
 

Fat_Bastard

Active Member
How much does red loctite actually hold in that hot environment? Just curious.
Red Loctitie: Don't know any better...
except lock tab washer if you can find one to fit...

It has held up for 4 years to date.

PS: Like the idea of an aftermarket other brand part that might be better. I should have done that on the clutch throw out mechanism (used new Harley parts--still working fine to date). Think Baker makes a "beefier" one.
 
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Chillin

Active Member
GREEN, good luck gettin it off, it's bearing and sleeve retainer.

Loctite® Green Threadlocker is recommended for locking pre-assembled fasteners, e.g. electrical connectors and set screws. The product is categorized as medium-to-high-strength for wicking. It is also available in a liquid form, cures in 24 hours and can be removed with heat and hand tools.
 
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