2016 Doc Harley: COMPENSATOR

Introducing Doc Harley from the Service Clinic at Low Country Harley-Davidson to help you with the health of your motorcycle! Here he talks about the importance of the compensator in your motor! Let us know what other questions you have for the Doc!

[genegeneish]

I have an 06 dyna, and yes the alternator sheared the screws. The bike was in for warranty work at Chesapeake harley, the entire primary was apart, and they DID NOT replace the problem alternator when they could have, and this problem was known in 2015. I replaced the entire charging system myself. I like the bikes, but some of the dealers suck.

[TheKerstingm]

I have a 2007 Electra Glide Standard I've been debating what to upgrade my compensator to, original owner installed a SE at 20k miles, I have 45k miles and hearing the rocks in a can rattle when I take off as I'm letting off my clutch. Your video explains the why and what that other's haven't

[toddoverby]

Doc, Not sure why you skipped over the pre 2006 model twin cam compensators. They did not have the integrated spring pack. I have a 120 HP 124 TQ 2001 fatboy. Everyone in the industry I talked to (Baker included) told me that the stock compensator would definitely hold but anything after the revision in 06 would need replaced. So it sounds to me like it wasn't a problem until they changed it in 2006. I am fairly rough on it and it has held for 22k on the original motor and 7k on the 107 build. Knock on wood.
Now the M8 comp ramps were changed as well and are breaking.
When you find something that works well, stick with it. Or improve it and test it to make sure you improved it. But don't go backwards. Please.
Thanks for the videos Doc.
Little O

[mrvoyagerm]

My 2011 Ultra Classic 96 is box stock and when I asked the dealer which compensator was in my bike they checked the serial number? and found it is the newer heavier duty one. They said as long as I don't upgrade the power, it should be fine for a long time. No issues to date after 30, 000 miles.

[johnnyjellybeanQC]

My compensator will last a LONG time since it's sitting in a box on a shelf after I chucked it for an Evolution industries 30T engine sprocket on my 106" Dyna. That 30T sprocket is the best mod I ever made.

[josephcivita]

BDL belt drive and dry clutch. Get the one that fits inside the stock primary. No more knock at start up and you'll never have a compensator problem ever again. Cost less than 2 compensators.

[thomasjjunk]

Thanks for the video Doc. It's always an add on to the manual 😉
I got your point and wondering why so many (older) Harleys were transformed to a primary belt drive. Where does the torque energy goes, when there is no compensator even if the belt is elastic.
And how (in the first place) does it effect the drive shaft?
.

[mikeb]

Great video Doc, you make everything clear and do a good job on the video part.

I feel I have a charmed Harley experience. My 2000 wide glide has had NO major problems in 21 years and 88, 000 miles of usage. I don't beat it, it rarely has been revved higher than 3, 500 rpm. I don't need to rev it high, it pulls like a torque monster from 1, 500. I had the shop install a screaming eagle air filter and ignition module before I picked it up. And the mechanic swapped jetting in the carb, so it pulls really strong, and I change the Amsoil every 5, 000 miles.

I started seeing horror stories about my engine on YT and had to do some digging. The compensator for 2000 must have been made of titanium because mine is still smooth and quiet. The cam followers still have half the material left on them. The local shop that trued the new spokes for me showed me my wheels have the extra wide bearings.

When people talk about poor Harley quality I have to shake my head in disbelief. Maybe I just got lucky but NOTHING expensive on my bike has had problems.

I replaced the spokes because several had seized and could no longer be tightened. That's it, that's all that has been done except for tires and brake pads but those are normal wear items.

Years ago I swapped the factory pipes for vance and hines longshots. When installing them I noticed there was no cross over tube. I immediately noticed a loss of low end power. That was a major disappointment to me. So even though the long shots had no baffles and should have less resistance to exhaust flow, they did not provide the same low rpm power I was used to. I went back to the factory pipes and it was much better. So, that cross over pipe really does add to the low rpm power. Drag pipes are strictly for high rpm riding.

[richardfernandez]

Very good. I'm in a Harley rider for the last 40 years got me 2014 Street Glide I like listening to your cam to get to the point and no other BS enjoy watching you keep it up

[lewishill]

I put a man-o-war compensator and a hayen M6 BT07 primary chain tansioner in my 2012 (103) road king classic and it is doing great.

[timhoughland]

I've been paying alot of attention about compensators and primary drives for big twins. I had an 02 Dyna FXDX and made it a drag race bike. I used a BDL comp sprocket with 2 teeth shorter. Broke the first one and BDL sent me an updated version. No issues. Product worked great. Sold bike.
Fast forward to 2019.
I have a 2012 roadking which I race in "Hogs gone wild" series new this year. I race in the "street" class. We have to complete a 20 mile ride before each event.
As wear and tear are coming with bikes with milage (mine had 30k when I bought it used) I tore into the primary. I found some massive wear on the 3 arms and 3 ramps..so much so, I didn't even question it. I purchased the SE comp and installed it. You can deff tell the robust and better engineering.
But we are about to find out how well it will take 6500 launches and see what's lacking, if any, with this design. After all...the sprocket and clutches are much cheaper to replace than a transmission....

[captainnitrousx]

Made mine direct drive after balancing my crank 2000 miles ago on my 2008 Road King. It runs and accelerates great.

[ronwinter]

Doc you do a fantastic job explaining! I'm always impressed

[bottmar]

I had a Sturgis belt drive (both belts) installed on my 1979 Superglide at 18, 000 miles. The compensator started making noise, at idle, 10, 000 miles later. I welded the damn thing solid and haven't had any trouble for 73, 000 miles. Maybe the belts make up for the power pulses or something but I'm not about to put a new compensator in with no other issues having occurred.

[dougfresh]

I've been a Harley man for long time. However, it is disgusting to see such poor engineering for the money we spend. If I didn't do most of the work myself, I'd have to get another job.

[craigversetti]

As ALWAYS great video and information now tell me can the comp.from the 14 be retro'd to the first year twin cams ??

[thangknowa]

So true. I am on my 3rd comp in my 103 (In 13 years) and went right down Doc's line there. One other thing: the comp "Kick Back" puts hell on the starter (Think about it), so the Dealer recommended a new starter on the last (Literally, I hope) comp upgrade, and after dissecting the old starter, it was really needed. Something to think about, folks...

[ericrhinehart]

SInce I own a 01 RK, a 10 Dyna and a 15 Ultra, that answered all of my compensator questions. My 15 Ultra I purchased recently with 7900 miles on the clock. Owner said he had just had it serviced, so I lived with the Harley noises for a few hundred miles. Did a three hole change, putting gear oil in the transmission and primary lube in the primary. Noises went away within 20 miles! When I changed the gear and primary, I would bet those plugs hadn't been removed since the break in serv ice! Trans oil looked good and smelled like 10 yr old third member lubricant!. Primary oil was obviously OLD and Soiled... I'm a 1, 000 mile oil and filter changer and 2, 000 mile max primary oil changer.

[dncnoble]

Doc Harley,
How Goes it Sir,
Wanted to Let you Know, Your Videos are the Best Pointed and Clear (How To, How It Works, WHat to expect when Performing Maintenance and through adding a few more "Bald Eagles" under the Jewels. This Compensator video is exactly what I needed to watch, My current Project Has just commenced the past few months, I felt like I had all the Parts Finally Purchased and In Hand for my 2010 FLTRX Custom Rebuild. Stage V, Go Big or GO Home They Say... Except wouldn't you know what I did not pick up, , , , COMPENSATOR!!!!
I Have the New Jugs, Pistons, Rods, Lifters, ROcker/rollers, 259 cams, 2 to 1 Borzillo Header through slip On, Ported & Polished Screaming eagle Racing Heads, 38mm Throttle Body, Injectors, Screaming Eagle Plugs, Wires, 38mm Screaming Eagle Breather, 259CAMS ONE MORE TIME, New Stator, Rotor, Cap, And Dyno Jet Power Commander V, (hope it pairs well since SER Programer is not available), , , I had Previously Installed The Stage 1 Kit, and went with the DJ V Fuel Mapping / Programmer. HOWEVER UNTIL I WATCHED THIS VIDEO, , , I WOULD NOT HAVE THOUGHT OR EVEN KNOWN WHAT YOU JUST TAUGHT ME DOC HARLEY, , , THANK YOU, , ,
CAN You tell me if my Power Commander will work on THe STage V Tire SHREDDER 110 Kit, , Or even better, DO you Happen to Have a Pre Programmed Screaming Eagle Race Tuner I could Pick up, , EVEN BETTER


THANKS DOC HARLEY, , , ,
Im now a Subscriber, , , and when Brothers want to Know, , , Im pulling your videos Up, , , And Buying all the Products advertised across your Channel....lol

[mikebingaman]

Doc you sure know what the hell you're talkin about love watching your videos I learned a lot