Engine Compensating Sprocket Bolt

1dn5up

Thumper
Gold Member
Nov 5, 2015
16,203
11,556
Bear Mtn, NY
Name
Frankie
My bud went to our local HD dealer for a 50k 3 hole service, clutch adjust, belt, etc. While there he was giving the service mgr. a few minor problems. It's a 2010 tri glide.

One problem , if the trans is in 1st gear and eng is to be started, being in gear, to avoid the morning clunk, the Trike would tend to lunge forward.

Second problem, while taking off in first, a lot of clutch slippage was needed in order to get a smooth start, or the clutch would grab abruptly.

Evidently the compensator bolt was loose and it's been a problem on a lot of 2010 - 2012 year FLH's.

Its not a recall, it's a silent recall, meaning, unless you got the symptoms, the fix will not be nessessary.

However, Screeming Eagle has a replacement compensating assembly that the MOCO uses as a replacement.

As he was telling me of the symptoms, I asked him if he was riding MY Trike.

I will be at my dealer ASAP.

From what info I got, If replacement is needed, it should be at n/c.
 
not only the bolt but the compensator is a POS, the updated compensator at that time was suppose to better than stock only to find out is was not.

Oil was not getting into the critical areas causing fretting.

If not under warranty I would go with a baker compensator..
 
not only the bolt but the compensator is a POS, the updated compensator at that time was suppose to better than stock only to find out is was not.

Oil was not getting into the critical areas causing fretting.

If not under warranty I would go with a baker compensator..

Your not making me feel too warm and fuzzy ! Unfortunately/fortunately I have the extended warranty, so for the $50 I'll be at there mercy. What ever the outcome is, it's got to be an improvement, I hope :Shrug:
 
After thinking đź’­ and reading about the issue, I am asking the dealer if I pay for the Baker set up, labor to be covered under the ex warrantee :Shrug: Worth a shot.
 
Sorry for the bad news but there new revised SE compensator was no better than stock IMO. I found when I installed mine after 300 miles it was frettiing already that put me over the top. At that time Baker didn't have there version compensator out yet. The compensator needs the oil bath and was not getting it on the inner parts of the comp. Baker suppose to have that solved now..

You can go with the what they install but is not any better
 
Bike was just in for the compensator, they replaced it, now things are really not right, I can hear a whole lot of noise from it. The dealer will take it back in on August 8th and try to see what is going on.

Here is a picture of the old compensator

compensator.jpg

About 1/8 of metal missing from each inner piece
 
This has been a problem on all 6 speed bikes not just Tri Glides. Starter kick back is also a sign of it going bad, Have replaced a few with the 2014 version only to have them fail also.
 
There is no oil that gets to the critical areas of the comp and if there is its minimal

Like I said Baker suppose to have made one that gets lubricated to the needed areas.

even after I replaced mine to the new revised HD comp it didn't help any and I took it apart after 300 miles and was dry and rusty similar to the pics above. Fretting was evident too. You can see the wear in the pics posted above too on the lobes
 
Once again HD has outsmarted itself IMO

With bigger engines, 6 speeds and bolting the engines to the tranny{ Like Sporsters} to reduce the vibes LOL

IMO if they went back to the 90 FL with a grease fitting and dampened the engine sprocket on a lathe HMMMM it would work but the BEAN counters would have a seizure for sure JMO

The first Sporster Sprockets were a solid mass ++ solid mess

The Moco said they were spose to vibrate, They did until the belt drive and even then it was a band aid on a broken leg
 

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