1. After 20+ years it's time to pass the torch. If you are interested in acquiring this forum please contact support@cv-performance.com for details. Any spam will be reported and blocked.
  2. Welcome to Bike Talk, a forum for all bikers and motorcycle enthusiasts. If you are new to Bike Talk, be sure to register for free and join the conversation.

    There's always someone around willing to help out with questions or give a friendly wave back. All Harley and metric riders are welcome.

Compensators

Discussion in 'Motorcycle Tech Talk' started by tinsnips, Mar 15, 2012.

  1. tinsnips

    tinsnips Active Member

    Joined:
    Dec 19, 2009
    Messages:
    70
    Likes Received:
    1
    Location:
    california
    how necessary is it to change the compensator and what does it do?
  2. hotroadking

    hotroadking Super Moderator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Jun 16, 2004
    Messages:
    13,682
    Likes Received:
    584
    Location:
    Mouseville USA
    The compensator sprocket provides dampening
    to the drive chain in the primary from the pulses of the engine
    as it cycles, I've never had to change one out.
  3. FLHTbiker

    FLHTbiker Moderator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Nov 3, 2004
    Messages:
    18,516
    Likes Received:
    252
    Location:
    Oregon
    They have known to become loose.
  4. HicCup

    HicCup Banned A-Hole

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2012
    Messages:
    109
    Likes Received:
    0
    The Comp nut that is.
  5. FLHTbiker

    FLHTbiker Moderator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Nov 3, 2004
    Messages:
    18,516
    Likes Received:
    252
    Location:
    Oregon
    Yes the nut
  6. tinsnips

    tinsnips Active Member

    Joined:
    Dec 19, 2009
    Messages:
    70
    Likes Received:
    1
    Location:
    california
    the nut behind the handlebars?:
  7. Lucifer

    Lucifer Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 20, 2008
    Messages:
    3,861
    Likes Received:
    102
    Location:
    Cape Breton NS,Canada
    :roflmao:Loose nut on the handlebars can loosen and break a lot of things;)...
    There have been a few issues with the comp nut on baggers,but until you hear a rattling or clunking from the bottom end that sounds like your bike is coming apart,I wouldn't worry about it....
  8. FLHTbiker

    FLHTbiker Moderator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Nov 3, 2004
    Messages:
    18,516
    Likes Received:
    252
    Location:
    Oregon
    I was on trip and in Idaho traveling to meet up with Sleepy a few years back and noticed a rather large oil leak. Stopped at the then Nuts and Bolts dealer in Boise. Had a seal leaking but when they pulled the cover off they also found a loose compensator nut. No sound (pipes probably to loud back then) but it had done significate damage to the shaft threads, compensator and nut threads. Make a long story short had to have some parts over nighted in for repair. They used the same shaft but threads were damaged. They said the factory had not put locktite on it. They put red locktite on it and new comp and nut. Said that with the treads damaged as bad as it was that it could come apart. Meant up with Sleepy had a great trip. We raced each other and others up the Coronado Trail in AZ, that was a blast. Traded the bike in that year. Would have been real expensive to pull motor, split the case and replace the parts. Besides wanted a new bike then anyway. Yea, my warranty had just expired a month before and I did not have a extended warranty on it. :(
  9. Sleepy

    Sleepy Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 6, 2004
    Messages:
    1,665
    Likes Received:
    73
    a few loose nuts hanging onto the handlebars that trip.....:)
  10. charlie46

    charlie46 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 4, 2010
    Messages:
    2,069
    Likes Received:
    105
    Location:
    Melbourne Fl
    When my trans was appart I upgraded to a SE compensator. I noticed less primary 'snatch' noise and the engine stopped kicking back on hot starts. I understand all the 103's come with the SE comp. I dought I would have changed it if the parts wherent allready out.

Share This Page