With all the years of research and development that Harley has had with their motors and drive assemblies how come the issues with the compensator sprockets on the newer bikes that doesn't seem to have been addressed previously? And now on the 2011 Harley is now installing the SE comp which should have been introduced much sooner...

 

Big deal. So what? After five Harley's and covering a good part of the North American Continent with them, I have never had an issue at all. I wonder how much abuse has to do with the matter?

 

No abuse that I speak of. I have a 2010 Ultra, comp making noise. So I looked it up in forums and discovered there is a possible engineering flaw with it. I took my bike back to dealership was told no wear at this time but Harley has had issues with it. Until there is substantial wear, out of spec so to speak there was nothing they could do. Look it up.

 

Buy a Sportie, they don't have compensator sprockets.

 

I agree. My 09 makes a helluva clunk when starting up hot. The dealer told me it might be embarrassing but really shouldn't hurt anything. He told me to remove the primary case and tighten the compensator nut?????

 

Yea, read some of the threads I don't believe it's the comp bolt...

 

An 010 Ultra here also. Through the Rockies several times, through Death Valley and the desert South West, to Key West in a tropical heat wave, and at 15K not a single issue with the compensator.

Two other bikes with the TC96 and no problems.

A suggestion. Do a clutch adjustment. Pull the boot off of the clutch cable and back the cable adjustment to very slack. Take the derby cover off and loosen the jam nut on the clutch adjustment screw. Loosen the screw several turns.

Then very gently turn the screw back to light contact with the clutch. Do it like you use a micrometer. Just barely brush the screw with your thumb and forefinger to make ever so light contact. Once you make contact turn the screw left a full turn. Tighten the jam nut while holding the adjustment screw in place with the allen wrench. Replace the derby cover.

Another hint that many bikes have used in the past fifty years. When going to start the HD first put it into neutral and hold the clutch in. While holding the clutch in, let the motor warm up for about 45 seconds to a minute.

Now if you have done everything correct, you can SILENTLY put the bike into low and ride off. The next three to four shifts will also be silent. This puts oil between the clutch plates that had been squeezed out by the springs while setting.

Does not work if the bike is warmed up only on cold starts. However this will reduced the strain on the bike.

The properly adjusted clutch will be easy to find neutral at anytime up or down.

 

Yea, my clutch adjustment is ok dealer adjusted it. The noise is coming from the compensator area. I think it's the mechanical operation of the comp when the clutch is engaged and motor is hot. I owned a 06 Electra Glide Classic and never experienced this issue. My Ultra only has 5500 mi. Also automatic primary tensioner is tight according to dealership. I am familiar with adjusting the clutch as I have done before on my 06. Thanks for the info though, Much Obliged...